Emergency Aid & Support Guide
August 25, 2025Emergency Aid & Support Guide
August 25, 2025Summary
Each year, students must navigate a series of financial transitions that are just as complex as their first year: FAFSA renewals, aid eligibility checks, cost of living increases, and reapplying for scholarships. Missing a form or deadline, or mismanaging shifting expenses, can derail even strong students.
For institutions, these yearly drop off points translate to lost aid eligibility, rising registration holds, and preventable attrition. Arbol ensures students stay on track by providing clear renewal pathways, proactive alerts, and coordinated staff support at every step of the yearly financial cycle.
The Student Challenge
- FAFSA renewal and state aid deadlines are often missed, risking aid eligibility.
- Students are surprised by cost-of-living increases and new out-of-pocket expenses.
- Scholarship renewals and academic progress requirements (SAP) are unclear.
- Without guidance, students lose aid, accrue balances, or stop out before completion.
The Institutional Challenge
- Financial aid offices spend huge amounts of time chasing incomplete renewals.
- Staff rely on mass communications that many students overlook.
- Missed renewals create last-minute crises that strain Student Accounts and Enrollment.
- Institutions lose tuition revenue when students withdraw over avoidable financial hurdles.
Solution with Arbol
Arbol transforms yearly transitions into a structured, guided process.
- Clear Renewal Pathways: Students see step-by-step instructions for FAFSA, SAP, and scholarship requirements.
- Automated Reminders: Nudges ensure deadlines aren’t missed.
- Cost-of-Living Planning: Guidance includes updates for housing, food, transportation, and other yearly changes.
- Proactive Alerts: Risks like missed FAFSA or aid loss are flagged early.
- Coordinated Staff Support: Financial aid and advising staff work from one platform to resolve cases quickly.
How It Works
- Renewal Detection – Arbol identifies students approaching FAFSA, SAP, or scholarship renewal periods.
- Personalized Pathway – Each student receives a clear roadmap for forms, deadlines, and costs.
- Timely Nudges – Automated reminders keep students on track for renewals.
- Early Alerts – Staff dashboards surface students at risk before holds or aid loss occur.
- Yearly Budget Updates – Students adjust plans for new expenses, avoiding surprises.
Impact You Can Expect
- Higher completion of FAFSA and aid renewals.
- Reduced cases of students losing eligibility or facing unexpected holds.
- Better alignment between financial aid and advising teams.
- Protected tuition revenue by preventing yearly drop offs.
- Improved persistence as students transition smoothly year over year.
Case Study
At peer institutions, staff noted high attrition tied to missed FAFSA renewals and aid compliance. Students who fell behind often withdrew after registration holds appeared. By implementing Arbol, students received clear yearly renewal pathways, timely reminders, and updated cost-of-living budgets. Staff intervened earlier, and persistence improved significantly across cohorts.
Getting Started
Opportunity Programs are the front door for many of your most vulnerable students. By embedding Arbol into Summer Bridge and first year supports, your institution can ensure financial clarity, reduce risk, and drive stronger outcomes from the very beginning.