Electronic signature for fafsa forms

Imagine trying to scan thousands of forms by hand every month. Now, add pressure that each and every form must be processed quickly and accurately because they affect somebody’s financial aid. This is what students, their families and the Office of Financial Aid face when submitting and managing critical FAFSA forms.

There needed to be a better way, which is why Bruce Blackmon, director of the Office of Financial Aid, submitted an IT Project Idea Form. “We want parents to have the ability to electronically sign documents along with their dependent students,” wrote Blackmon. Electronic signatures replace the uncertainty of snail mail and faxes with a more reliable, convenient and secure digital solution. Provided the pilot goes well, which is likely, Blackmon believes e-signatures will provide better service to students and families as well as “have a direct reflection on our goals for the new NinerCentral where students can be served via the web.”

The project, officially named “Project 92: Electronic Signature for Parents of Dependent Students” has begun with nationally-recognized DocuSign. The Office of Financial Aid is including five of their Verification Forms which would alleviate the most paper.

Interested in using electronic signatures for your department?

Other departments are welcome to start using this e-signature solution, once the pilot is complete. Submit an IT Project Idea Form asking to try it out–don’t forget to talk with your area’s Executive Technology Council (ETC) representative first though!