Division of Finance and Business Operations / Procurement & Strategic Sourcing
5700 Cass Avenue, suite 4200
Detroit, Michigan 48202
(313) 577-3734
FAX (313) 577-3747

June 24, 2016

Addendum ThreeTo

RFP Financial Aid Verification Services 2016dated June 7, 2016

As a result of the Pre-Proposal meeting held on June 14, 2016for the University's RFP for Financial Aid Verification Services 2016 for the Office of Student Financial Aid. Questions were submitted for clarification. A summary of the questions asked and the University's responses are as follows:

  1. If a student submits non-Verification documents, will the vendor be responsible for resolving conflicting information?

Response: If the student was selected for verification, the vendor will be responsible for reviewing any documents they have submitted and resolving any conflicting information that may arise from those documents.

  1. Do you have institutional Verification requirements where you gather additional documentation not required by ED that the vendor should review?

a.If so, will you share your Verification policies?

Response:We do have institutional verification requirements for students who have indicated they are Veterans, Unaccompanied Homeless Youth, Orphan/Ward of the Court or Emancipated Minors when this will make them independent for financial. These documents are reviewed by the institution.

  1. What data elements would be included on the list of students to be worked?

Response:The list of students will include the students name, Banner ID, verification group and the date the student’s file is ready for review by the institution.

  1. If subsequent ISIRs come into Banner with changes after a file has been review and completed, would the vendor initiate a new review, or only if notified to do so via the work list by Wayne State?

Response: The vendor is only responsible to complete a review if notified via the work list.

  1. Does Wayne State University apply the Department of Education’s Verification exclusions which allow the institution to not gather and review certain Verification elements or documents based on a student’s ISIR responses?

Response: Yes, Wayne State University does apply the Department of Education’s Verification exclusions.

  1. What timeframe or months would you consider your peak processing for Verification?

Response: For the 2016-2017 aid year, July through October are the peak processing months. This may change for the 2017-2018 academic year.

  1. The RFP indicates approximately 7200 verifications are processed annually. Assuming these are unduplicated students, would the 7200 be reflective of the initial file review only? Does Wayne State have a feel for how many of the 7200 students require subsequent file reviews, and or the total number of subsequent file reviews completed for the last fiscal, calendar, or award year?

Response: The 7200 student number includes both initial file review and subsequent file reviews. Please see the information included in Addendum Two, question #4.

  1. If this contract is to include 2016-2017 processing, for audit (or possible Program Review) purposes, describe how the University will distinguish work performed by the current contractor and the one who will take over later this year?

Response: In order to facilitate a transition, we will stop providing lists for processing to the current contractor. Any files that they were unable to complete, will be sent to the new contractor.

  1. With the early FASFA submissions for 2017-2018 (October 1, 2016), when will the University begin verification processing for 2017-2018?

Response: While we are looking for ways to be responsive to our students, we have not yet set a date for collection of documents, and thus verification, of 2017-2018 files. It could be as early as December.

  1. In an effort to save the University on travel expenses, could the training for this service be conducted via webinar?

Response: This training can be conducted via webinar or by other remote means.

  1. Do the University’s verification policies precisely mirror the U.S. Department of Education’s (standard) policies as described in the Application and Verification Guide (AVG)? Please describe any additional measures WSU takes in verification beyond the Department of Education’s requirements.

Response: The University’s verification policies are rooted in the policies laid out in the Application and Verification Guide. We do have institutional verification requirements for students who have indicated they are Veterans, Unaccompanied Homeless Youth, Orphan/Ward of the Court or Emancipated Minors when this will make them independent for financial. These documents are reviewed by the institution.

In addition:

  • If the House Size & Number in College Form indicates more than one person attending WSU, we review the information in Banner to ensure there is not conflicting information for those listed on the House Size & Number in College Form or on the tax return.
  • We review the amount of Scholarship or Grant aid listed on the FAFSA and compare it to wages from work to ensure this number is correct.
  • And we review the amount earned in Banner for work study for students with W2s from WSU to verify it is corrected reflected as work study earnings.
  1. Who is your current financial aid verification provider? Are you pleased with their level of service?

Response: EdFinancial is our current financial aid verification provider. While we have been satisfied with their level of service, the Board of Governors requires the University to bid upon expiration of contracts.

  1. Would you consider a solution that involved e-signed verification documents that allowed students/parents to complete and sign verification documents online? The solution would eliminate the need for paper handling, scanning, linking, storing and shredding?

Response: WSU already makes use of a product, Dynamic Forms, which has this functionality. It has reduced the amount of paper forms we have received in our office. We are interested in moving further in that direction.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this Addendum or on any other aspects of the Request for Proposal, please send them by email to Kimberly Tomaszewski, Senior Buyer, Email; and toRobin Ellis-Watkins,Buyer, Email; . Copy both Kimberly Tomaszewski and Robin Ellis-Watkinson all E-Mail questions.

Thank you,

Kimberly Tomaszewski

Senior Buyer

Page 1