It's that time of year again. After dozens and dozens of college fairs, campus tours and student interviews, Hamilton's admission officers have begun poring over the anticipated 4,400 applications from students considering joining the Class of 2008.
Although many factors go into the college selection process, cost is certainly at the top of most everyone's list. Each year, Hamilton devotes 17 percent of its overall budget to financial aid and provides financial assistance to more than half of all students. Other families are offered payment plans and loan options to help spread costs over more than four years. Working behind the scenes to coordinate all of this and help families understand the financial aspects of a Hamilton education is the College's financial aid staff.
In this month's "All Systems Go" column, ATH brings you a snapshot of that department and the five members who keep it running smoothly.
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Folders for financial aid |
For Mary Ann, the most rewarding part of her job comes when she helps students dispel the myth that study abroad is too costly to consider. "Often students are afraid they may not be able to afford the experience," she said. "It is a great feeling to go over their aid plan to show them that it can be a reality. Seeing the smile on their faces as they leave is a very good feeling."
An eight-year veteran in financial aid, Mary Ann worked for six years previously in the Admission Office. Outside of the office, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, especially at her camp on Canandarago Lake. She is extremely proud of her children: Jessica, a SUNYIT graduate and a supportive case manager for Family Services; Leann '02, the coordinator of client services at Zogby International; and Zachary, a civil engineering major at Clarkson University. She also has a 8-year-old granddaughter, Cassidy.
Patty Gogola, financial aid specialist, is a relative newcomer to the financial aid team, but not to Hamilton. She moved over from the admission office a year ago after working for 15 years in admission. Patty's main focus is working with the TAP (Tuition Assistance Program) and scholarships — both Hamilton scholarships and outside scholarships awarded to students. It's not surprising that her favorite part of the job is helping to nominate students for scholarships.
Patty spends the bulk of her time researching students' qualifications. "We have approximately 300-400 students receiving Hamilton scholarships and 200-250 receiving outside scholarships," she noted. "Some of the sources we gather information from are the biography sheets that students fill out each year, our own data (such as county, state, GPA, majors) and we also rely on other departments to help us with the nominations."
In her spare time, Patty enjoys traveling, reading, spending time with her husband, Tom, and cheering at the sporting events of her two favorite athletes, sons Matt, a senior at Clinton, and Cory, an eighth-grader.
Director of Financial Aid Ken Kogut originally managed financial aid for both Hamilton and Kirkland colleges when he arrived on the Hill in 1972. "At that time, we could fit all of our application records for the year in the bottom desk drawer," he recalled. "I didn't even have a calculator that first year, but I got one the year after that."
In the early 1970s, the College's total financial aid budget was less than $1 million a year, compared to the $17.3 million awarded today. Although Ken has seen many changes over the years — he even made the switch from a calculator to a computer! — the fundamental aspect of his job has remained the same. "It's great to run into alumni after they've been out five or 10 years who say 'thanks, you really helped me get through that crunch'" he said. "That's the best thing about this job."
As the person responsible for overseeing the financial aid operation, Ken spends a large portion of his time keeping abreast of changes in federal and state financial aid regulations, as well as consulting with government agencies. Working closely with Kevin Michaelsen, associate director of financial aid, he forecasts the year ahead to estimate what the College's financial aid needs will be. Because it's important to Ken to have everyone on his staff "do a little bit of everything," he also devotes his time to reviewing student files and meeting with parents and students.
Ken and his wife, Pat, live in Whitesboro, where he spends time reading, refinishing furniture and playing tennis whenever he can. Despite helping thousands of students afford a College education, his most precious Hamilton memory came a few years ago in the Chapel when his son, Paul '88, married his College sweetheart, Catherine Garypie '88.
Kevin Michaelsen is in his sixth year as Hamilton's associate director of financial aid. He is primarily responsible for processing the financial aid for first-year students.
Kevin points out that, like the admission process, the financial aid process is a cyclical one. "Initially this involves a lot of interaction with students and their parents which comes in the form of phone calls, e-mail and office visits," he explained. "Then it involves reviewing each families' financial information and various financial aid forms with usually very limited interaction with families. Finally, it moves back to a lot of interaction with students and parents after the financial aid statements are presented."
Throughout the year, Kevin runs statistical reports analyzing the College's financial aid as it relates to the admission effort, as well as other reports for Hamilton's financial aid office and various outside reporting agencies.
"I do like the interaction with student and their families. They keep me fresh and on my toes," he said. "I also enjoy the computer and statistical side of my job, especially wrestling with Colleague (their computer system). Some days I feel as though I'm in a headlock, but others days, not as frequently, I feel like I've almost won the match."
When not hard at work at Hamilton, Kevin finds time to pursue woodworking, home renovation projects and indoor soccer. He is also involved with Cornerstone Community Church in New York Mills. He adds that the best part of his day is going home to his wife, Lisa, and their two children, Emma, 3, and Carter, 13 months.
Colleen Seymour joined the College five years ago as the financial aid office assistant. It's her job to manage day-to-day tasks that keep the office functioning smoothly. She also helps guide students and parents through the process of completing all the necessary forms required for financial aid.
"I find it rewarding to be that first contact with students and their families and to see the students mature through their four years at Hamilton," she said. "It's nice, too, to have interaction with the work-study students in our office and to be able to follow them through the years."
Colleen and her husband, Jr., live in Clinton. Since the birth of their son, Griffin, two months ago, her favorite hobby is the time her family shares together.
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Extenuating Circumstances The financial aid staff takes pride and satisfaction in helping Hamilton students and their families successfully navigate the financial aid process. But their job also offers an occasional chuckle or two. Here are two excerpts from financial aid applications where applicants explain special circumstances that may affect their ability to contribute: • [Student's mother] "has been on a medically supervised protein sparing modified fast diet since April 22, 2001, and has lost 115 lbs. As her clothes size has continued to drop, she has had to replace her entire wardrobe multiple times resulting in additional expenses of over $3000." • "My father owns 50% of a business. I qualified as a semi-finalist for the National Merit Scholarship. I have two older brothers also in college, who live at home and commute. Also, our old mechanic put the axle in our car backwards that's puttin' us out like 2 g's." |
