‘What we are doing has lasting effects. I know because I’ve experienced it.’

stuxbury — Mon, 09 May 2022 22:36:59 +0000

‘What we are doing has lasting effects. I know because I’ve experienced it.’ stuxbury Mon, 05/09/2022 - 18:36

Steven Foster is a proud Michigan Wolverine graduate. He recognizes the role that campus’ financial aid advocates had in his educational journey and career success.

“I’m in awe of where I am today based on my foundational experiences — learning about how financial aid could help me reach my goals was one of those,” he said. “I had the grades — I was in the Top 10 in my high school — but not the access. Not everyone is in a situation where their parents can write a check. U-M knows that and has strong advocates in their financial aid office.”

Now Foster is leading ��-Dearborn’s Office of Financial Aid. The financial aid director began in his new role on May 2.

With 17 years in the financial aid field, Foster has worked for higher education institutions including ��-Ann Arbor, Wayne State University, Western Michigan University and Kettering University. At Kettering, his last employer, he directed their financial aid office. He has an undergraduate degree from ��-Ann Arbor, and a graduate degree from Wayne State University.

At his Detroit high school, Martin Luther King Jr. Senior High School, Foster focused on business. In undergrad, it was English and writing. As a graduate student, he studied education. Foster said all of these seemingly unrelated pieces have worked well together in helping him connect underrepresented students to resources.

Steven Foster

“It’s important to remember that financial aid is a foreign language if you aren’t familiar with it. It can feel like a labyrinth to navigate as a new student. I remember feeling that and I remember the people who helped me get everything in order,” he said. “The advocates are the ones who go beyond the checklist. They make sure you understand the difference between a loan and a grant in a way that relates to you and the impact those things will have on your life. They let you know about the scholarships you are eligible for and check in to see if you’ve applied. Those are the advocates. Those are the people who are passionate about their work to make a difference in someone's life.”

As someone who relied on financial aid assistance as a young Wolverine, Foster also remembers the type of guidance he needed. He said holistic advising in the financial aid field goes beyond getting a question answered — it’s anticipating needs and next steps.

“Students will ask when their refund is coming. But, as people who have been through it, we need to help them think more holistically. Sure, when the refund is coming is important. It’s also important to think beyond the right now,” he said. “Let them know when the refund is coming, but also remind them that the money needs to be managed to last five months. Have students think about what it needs to cover to reach their educational goals. Some students may be doing that already, but others may still be learning how to budget and plan.”

He said the financial aid field can be stressful when trying to connect people with the opportunities they need while also balancing institutional budgets. But seeing the students he’s worked with walk across the commencement stage keeps him motivated and inspired. Foster said his family, in particular nine-year-old son Steven, also helps him keep focused on what is important.

“We are the stewards to help students and their families achieve an education so they can change their lives from now and into the future for the next generation,” he said.

When it comes to remembering the people who made it happen professionally for him, he said it goes back to his Wolverine roots.

In addition to financial aid mentors, Foster recalls the energy that Tyrone Winfrey Sr., then a ��-Ann Arbor admissions director, brought into his high school classroom. He said the outreach and access from U-M staff changed his life. And, in return, Foster is focused on doing what he can to create educational bridges.

“Coming to ��-Dearborn is like coming home. I’m Go Blue through and through and the mission of our campus is true to my core,” he said. “I’m looking forward to working with the entire campus community on access, affordability, and student success initiatives. Because our students’ success is our success, it's a shared responsibility.”

Text by Sarah Tuxbury.

Accessibility or Affordability

Financial Aid

Leadership

Financial Aid & Scholarships

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Mon, 05/09/2022 - 22:36

Wolverine Alumnus Steven Foster joins ��-Dearborn’s campus as the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships director. With nearly 20 years of experience, Foster stepped into his new role on May 2.

Steven Foster. Graphic by Violet Dashi

Got campus questions? This new service has answers.

stuxbury — Mon, 23 Aug 2021 17:41:50 +0000

Got campus questions? This new service has answers. stuxbury Mon, 08/23/2021 - 13:41

ESS student staff member Logan shows transfer student Hannah Letang how to sign up for study space.

College is a time to learn more about yourself, your interests and build a foundation for the future. To help students focus on that and simplify the business side of university life — from the admissions process to applying for graduation — ��-Dearborn leadership created a new centrally located one-stop service spot.

Located just steps inside the University Center’s main entrance, the Enrollment Student Services team will be available to answer questions people may have about their student accounts, course registration and financial aid. This “One Stop” also offers another way for the ��-Dearborn community to connect students with a variety of campus services and resources.

Enrollment Student Services (ESS) Director Julie Faust said this new approach will get students the answers they need quickly. And, when needed, students can speak more in depth with a staff member familiar with the topic they have questions about. It officially opens on Tuesday, Aug. 31, for Wolverine Welcome Day/Go Blue Bash and students are encouraged to stop by and vote on the official office name.

“We want to connect our students to what they need to know in a fast and friendly way — without them having to go to multiple offices for answers and as a student-focused unit, we want the students' help in naming this exciting new area designed to support them.”

Faust said students can look for the friendly face and maize and blue "Ask Me" button. This staff member will be happy to assist the student and answer their questions. If additional steps are needed to explore the inquiry further, the staff member will introduce the student to an on-site subject matter expert to resolve the issue.

In addition, the ESS staff will help interested students learn how to navigate My ��-Dearborn, the new student portal, so they know where to find important campus announcements, see tasks that they need to complete, schedule appointments, get answers to questions and access key university resources. The staff will be giving portal tutorials during Wolverine Welcome Day.

Vice Provost for Enrollment Management Melissa Stone said the My ��-Dearborn student portal coupled with the development of the shared services model are recent examples of student success-focused advancements at ��-Dearborn. “We have been busy streamlining processes and developing new technology tools all with the goal of improving the way that we serve our students.”

Services will be available both remotely and in person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. with occasional extended hours. As the academic year progresses, the plan is to offer “pop-up” One Stop services at the Fairlane Center and in other campus locations.

Faust said having a specific point of contact for students to go with their university business inquiries is a customer service game changer.

“It’s all about helping students on their journey in a friendly, insightful way so they want to come to us. In addition to it being efficient, it’s a customer service model that’s less reactive and more proactive because we’re here to answer questions and streamline information to avoid potential challenges. It’s about looking at the student experience holistically.”

For more information about the Enrollment Student Services, email ESS Director Julie Faust.

Undergraduate Admissions

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Mon, 08/23/2021 - 17:39

Starting Aug. 31, Enrollment Student Services staff will be just steps inside the main University Center entrance to give a friendly hello and answer questions students may have about their accounts, course registration, financial aid and more.