When students go online to EPCC Financial Aid to search for scholarships, they will find a new program which allows them to apply online.
This new system, served by Nelnet, allows students to login and start the application process, which previously was the student’s responsibility to turn in via paper application.
According to Irene Alba, Financial Aid adviser, the system wasn’t functioning as expected and Financial Aid encountered access problems after the employee in charge, Virginia Tucker, moved to NMSU.
Though Alba was still waiting for the Nelnet support team to call, she insisted that it’s a better process.
“It’s a great program, but when you know how to use it, it’s easier,” said Alba. Since there was only one person in charge of the scholarship website before, Alba said this time she will share the program.
“Once I get the hang of it, it will make things easier but I’m not going to keep it to myself in case anything happens,” said Alba.
One scholarship, the Association for Women in the Community College (AWCC), already had applicants use the online system. According to Alba, however, this was the first time this program was used and students, as well as their references, encountered problems uploading recommendation letters and resumes and inputting instructor e-mail links.
There were also scholarships listed that are no longer available, such as the El Paso Empowerment Zone and Foundation Scholarships, but the site still allowed students to apply for them.
Due to lack of funds, according to Alba, the EPEZ scholarships will not be available during this semester and summer.
“It will be posted if there are any changes,” said Alba.
Belem Alderete, VV SGA campus representative, was unsure of the process because it’s new.
“If the program is brand new, I’d prefer to do a written application. If it’s been working awhile and they have transitioned well, I would apply online,” said Alderete.
“I really think it’s great and saves more time for the students and the people checking applications. I think right now students look to the Internet as a faster way to apply for everything,” Alderete said.
Alba said that students should be aware of the scholarship criteria before applying, because the site will reject the application if the information is incorrect or incomplete.
Once the user begins the online process, the program not only saves the application, but it sends reminders via students’ emails about missing information, approaching deadlines and when recommendation letters have been uploaded.
Despite the loss of the EPEZ scholarship and other unavailable scholarships, by March, Alba said, there will be two new scholarships, including the Foundations Scholarships, which usually lists 10 or more scholarships.
For more information on the current system, please contact the Financial Aid office at any campus.
