An update to the APAS (Academic Progress Audit System) will go live on July 1 as part of the Transfer Articulation and Degree Audit (TADA) project. Students and staff who use APAS will notice a new look and feel to APAS reports and minor changes to navigation. Those with additional access to process exceptions will have a new way to make exceptions within APAS. You can familiarize yourself with these changes in advance by referring to the APAS job aids.
The new APAS will be found at a new URL: apas.umn.edu. We will update links to APAS within MyU and One Stop, but you will need to update any bookmarks you have.
If you have questions about the TADA project, email the project team at tada@umn.edu. If you need help with APAS, contact the APAS team at apasle@umn.edu.
Friday, June 28, 2019
Financial aid award packages in July
From late-June to early-July, the Office of Student Finance cancels estimated financial aid awards in order to create the actual financial aid award packages. This is for incoming New High School (NHS) and New Advanced Standing (NAS) students. Sometimes, when students no longer see their estimated financial aid awards, they panic and think that we have taken away their financial aid. That is not the case. Students can access their actual financial aid package in mid-July via MyU once tuition and fees have been finalized. If students have questions, please direct them to One Stop Student Services.
As an FYI, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year in order to be considered for financial aid. Encourage students to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov, if they haven't already done so.
As an FYI, students must complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) each academic year in order to be considered for financial aid. Encourage students to complete the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov, if they haven't already done so.
SAP evaluations
For continuing students, financial aid Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) evaluation began in late May. Some students will be suspended from further financial aid eligibility because they have not met these standards. Students who have documented mitigating circumstances that interfered with their ability to meet SAP standards may submit a Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal. You will see some students in this situation, as we require that they work with their advisors to develop an academic plan that is realistic and leads to meeting SAP standards and getting their degree.
Friday, May 31, 2019
FERPA Q&A
Q: If alumni use a personal email address to ask questions regarding their student record, can you correspond with them?
A: It depends. The part of an alumni's student record that was created while they were a student continues to be protected under FERPA after they graduate. The directory suppression level selected by them while they were a student also remains in place (unless they change it). If they gave us written permission to use a non-U of M email address as a way to contact them, it's wise to inform them how to reactivate their U of M account or to only share general, non-student specific information. If you are unsure whether or not it is really the student, or you are uncomfortable using a non-U of M email address to correspond with alumni, it is reasonable to ask them to call you so that you can verify their identity or ask them to contact the Technology Help to reactivate their U of M email account.
A: It depends. The part of an alumni's student record that was created while they were a student continues to be protected under FERPA after they graduate. The directory suppression level selected by them while they were a student also remains in place (unless they change it). If they gave us written permission to use a non-U of M email address as a way to contact them, it's wise to inform them how to reactivate their U of M account or to only share general, non-student specific information. If you are unsure whether or not it is really the student, or you are uncomfortable using a non-U of M email address to correspond with alumni, it is reasonable to ask them to call you so that you can verify their identity or ask them to contact the Technology Help to reactivate their U of M email account.
TADA Phase 1 Launches July 1
The first phase of the Transfer Articulation and Degree Audit (TADA) project will be complete on July 1 with the launch of an updated APAS. Students and advisors will notice a cleaner look to APAS reports and some minor changes to the navigation for running audits.
Because most changes to basic functionality are minor, there is no training required for those with view-access to APAS reports. Those with exceptions access will be required to complete online training to maintain their access.
There are upcoming opportunities to see the new APAS and exceptions process demonstrated as well as hands-on practice before launch. More information about the exceptions training and links to job aids is available.
Phase 2 of the project commences immediately following the completion of the first phase and will continue through July 2020. More information is available on the project website.
Because most changes to basic functionality are minor, there is no training required for those with view-access to APAS reports. Those with exceptions access will be required to complete online training to maintain their access.
There are upcoming opportunities to see the new APAS and exceptions process demonstrated as well as hands-on practice before launch. More information about the exceptions training and links to job aids is available.
Phase 2 of the project commences immediately following the completion of the first phase and will continue through July 2020. More information is available on the project website.
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| Student view of the new APAS |
MyU: My Finances - revamp going live mid-June
A revamped version of the My Finances section of MyU will launch in mid-June. Students will be able to view the financial aid they’ve received in an interactive table, see their remaining MN State Grant, U Promise and Pell Grant eligibility, and review personalized cost of attendance and Satisfactory Academic Progress figures. The new features will help students make informed decisions when deciding upon their financial aid.
Students that participated in a recent usability study indicated that the revamped My Finances is intuitive, the new elements are well-integrated, and that they appreciate the new information that’s being presented. Participants were also asked to rate the revamped My Finances section using the System Usability Scale (SUS); the revamped My Finances section received an average rating of 93 (an average SUS score is 68).
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| One view of the new My Finances |
Students that participated in a recent usability study indicated that the revamped My Finances is intuitive, the new elements are well-integrated, and that they appreciate the new information that’s being presented. Participants were also asked to rate the revamped My Finances section using the System Usability Scale (SUS); the revamped My Finances section received an average rating of 93 (an average SUS score is 68).
NameCoach in Canvas for summer classes
NameCoach is now available systemwide in Canvas. NameCoach is a web-based tool that allows students and instructors to record their name for others to hear its pronunciation. It is best used in a class setting, either online or in person. Feel free to tell instructors in your college or department about the new tool. They can access NameCoach through their Canvas account profile or courses in Canvas. Read more about NameCoach from OIT.
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