New Federal Mandate: New Federal Mandate:

Net Price Cost CalculatorNet Price Cost Calculator

HEDW Regional Meeting – New York CityHEDW Regional Meeting – New York CityAugust 23, 2009August 23, 2009

Helen ErnstHelen ErnstAssistant Director, Systems Development for Business Assistant Director, Systems Development for Business Intelligence and Data WarehousingIntelligence and Data WarehousingHelen.Ernst@suny.edu

Session IntroductionSession Introduction

The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2009 (HEOA) The Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2009 (HEOA) requires all higher education institutions to post a requires all higher education institutions to post a Net Price Calculator on their websites by November Net Price Calculator on their websites by November 2011. In this session we will briefly review the 2011. In this session we will briefly review the requirements based on the HEOA act, then delve requirements based on the HEOA act, then delve into the Data Warehousing and Business into the Data Warehousing and Business Intelligence projects underway at the State Intelligence projects underway at the State University of New York System Administration to University of New York System Administration to provide an enhanced and flexible calculator for it's provide an enhanced and flexible calculator for it's 64 campuses. Ample time will be left at the end of 64 campuses. Ample time will be left at the end of the session to have an open discussion on how the session to have an open discussion on how other schools are providing this functionality.other schools are providing this functionality.

Higher Education Higher Education Opportunity ActOpportunity Act

Signed into law August 14, 2008Signed into law August 14, 2008

Some provisions must be implemented within a year - others Some provisions must be implemented within a year - others within three yearswithin three years

HEOA expands the student financial aid information reported HEOA expands the student financial aid information reported by campuses, including a ‘net’ price of attendance. by campuses, including a ‘net’ price of attendance.

Colleges must provide students & parents a web-based Colleges must provide students & parents a web-based “calculator” for estimating college costs by 10/29/11“calculator” for estimating college costs by 10/29/11

The Net Price Calculator is a requirement of the The Net Price Calculator is a requirement of the Higher Education Opportunity Act Public Law Higher Education Opportunity Act Public Law 110-315, August 14, 2008 By 110-315, August 14, 2008 By October 29, October 29, 20112011, “each institution of higher education that , “each institution of higher education that receives Federal funds under title IV shall make receives Federal funds under title IV shall make publicly available on the institution’s website a publicly available on the institution’s website a net price calculator to help current and net price calculator to help current and prospective students, families, and other prospective students, families, and other consumers estimate a student’s individual net consumers estimate a student’s individual net price at such institution of higher education.” price at such institution of higher education.” SUNY will develop its own calculator, to be SUNY will develop its own calculator, to be hosted at SUNY System Administration and hosted at SUNY System Administration and accessed through each institution’s website, as accessed through each institution’s website, as well as through well as through www.suny.eduwww.suny.edu . SUNY’s Net . SUNY’s Net Price Calculator must include, at a minimum, the Price Calculator must include, at a minimum, the same data elements included in the calculator same data elements included in the calculator developed by the Department of Education.developed by the Department of Education.

College Navigator CalculatorCollege Navigator Calculator

HEOA requires NCES to implement a multi-year HEOA requires NCES to implement a multi-year tuition & fee calculator on College Navigator by tuition & fee calculator on College Navigator by August 14, 2009August 14, 2009

Colleges must implement a web-based cost Colleges must implement a web-based cost calculator calculator

– More refined than the national calculatorMore refined than the national calculator

– More complete information, e.g., living costsMore complete information, e.g., living costs

– Based on actual data, e.g., feesBased on actual data, e.g., fees

Federal RequirementsFederal Requirements

Federal RequirementsFederal Requirements

enable current and prospective students, families, and consumers to determine an estimate of a current or prospective student’s individual net price at a particular institution.

the cost of attendance and the amount of need-based and merit-based aid available shall be calculated for the individual student as much as practicable.

Federal RequirementsFederal Requirements

Must be completed within two years after HEOA is signed into law

Each institution of higher education that receives Federal funds under title IV is required to publish a calculator on the institution’s website

Campus choice to:– Use college navigator website version of the net price

calculator – or– Develop your own net price calculator, at a minimum,

must include the same information as the national version including a link to the website of the Department

that allows students to access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

Federal RequirementsFederal Requirements

CALCULATION OF MULTI-YEAR TUITION.The multi-year calculation must allow an individual to select an institution calculate an estimate of tuition and fees for each year of the

normal duration of the program of study at such institution using the tuition and fees for the most recent academic year reported

determine an estimated annual percentage change for each year for which the calculation is made, based on the annual percentage change in your institution’s tuition and fees, for the most recent three-year period

calculate an estimate of the total amount of tuition and fees to complete a program of study at your institution,

SUNY’s CalculatorSUNY’s Calculator

Overview of Features for Overview of Features for SUNY’s Net Price CalculatorSUNY’s Net Price Calculator

The SUNY cost calculator has several features not The SUNY cost calculator has several features not required in the federal mandate. required in the federal mandate.

By asking additional applicant characteristics, a more By asking additional applicant characteristics, a more accurate determination of aid can be found. accurate determination of aid can be found.

The estimated total price of attendance for one year The estimated total price of attendance for one year will be separated into 7 categories as compared to 4 will be separated into 7 categories as compared to 4 in the federal mandate;1) tuition, 2) required fees, 3) in the federal mandate;1) tuition, 2) required fees, 3) books and supplies, 4) room and board, 5) personal books and supplies, 4) room and board, 5) personal expenses, 6) transportation, 7) other expenses. expenses, 6) transportation, 7) other expenses.

The SUNY calculator will provide estimated costs for The SUNY calculator will provide estimated costs for full time students, both freshman and transfer.full time students, both freshman and transfer.

The SUNY calculator will include separate estimates The SUNY calculator will include separate estimates for need-based and merit-based aid. for need-based and merit-based aid.

SUNY Data WarehouseSUNY Data Warehouse

In order to provide data to the cost In order to provide data to the cost calculator, SUNY has initiated several sub-calculator, SUNY has initiated several sub-projects:projects:– Collection of new Financial Aid Submission from Collection of new Financial Aid Submission from

CampusesCampuses– Collection of new Student Revenue Submission Collection of new Student Revenue Submission

from Campusesfrom Campuses– ETL (Extract, Transform & Load) new star ETL (Extract, Transform & Load) new star

schema with aggregated data for use by the net schema with aggregated data for use by the net price cost calculatorprice cost calculator

Overview of Features for Overview of Features for SUNY’s Net Price CalculatorSUNY’s Net Price Calculator

The SUNY calculator will include estimates for loans and work-The SUNY calculator will include estimates for loans and work-studystudy

By requesting grade point averages and test score data, the By requesting grade point averages and test score data, the SUNY calculator can provide a more accurate estimation of SUNY calculator can provide a more accurate estimation of merit-based aid.merit-based aid.

Calculator will provide an estimate for 4 years of education Calculator will provide an estimate for 4 years of education using the HEPI index, and will also allow the user to input a using the HEPI index, and will also allow the user to input a expected inflation factor.expected inflation factor.

Calculator will include a link to redirect user to the contact Calculator will include a link to redirect user to the contact page for the campus: “If you wish to have a representative page for the campus: “If you wish to have a representative from <name of institution> contact you, please from <name of institution> contact you, please click hereclick here.”.”

Calculator will include a print option : “Please Calculator will include a print option : “Please print this pageprint this page for your records.”for your records.”

Calculator InputCalculator Input

The application will ask the user questions The application will ask the user questions to determine family financial status and to determine family financial status and optionally, student admission characteristics. optionally, student admission characteristics. It will then use this information to find It will then use this information to find comparable enrolled students price of comparable enrolled students price of attendance and financial aid data found attendance and financial aid data found within the cost calculator data warehouse.within the cost calculator data warehouse.

User questions to determine User questions to determine student dependency statusstudent dependency status

What is the age of the student? This will be What is the age of the student? This will be a drop down box, with the options of ‘under a drop down box, with the options of ‘under 24’ or ’24 and older’24’ or ’24 and older’

Are you (the student) married? This will be Are you (the student) married? This will be a drop down box, with the options of ‘Yes’, a drop down box, with the options of ‘Yes’, ‘No’‘No’

Do you (the student) have any dependent Do you (the student) have any dependent children? This will be a drop down box, with children? This will be a drop down box, with the options of ‘Yes’, ‘No’the options of ‘Yes’, ‘No’

Dependency Dependency DeterminationDetermination

DependentStudent does not have dependent children

IndependentStudent has dependent childrenNot married

IndependentMarriedUnder 24

Independent24 or older

Derived Dependency

Dependent Children?Marital Status?

Age?

EFC CalculationEFC Calculation

The next set of questions is used to determine an estimate of parent The next set of questions is used to determine an estimate of parent and student contribution or EFC (Expected Family Contribution) and student contribution or EFC (Expected Family Contribution) based on the parent and student income. based on the parent and student income.

We investigated the code that the Department of Education Net Price We investigated the code that the Department of Education Net Price Calculator uses to calculate the estimated EFC and we plan to use Calculator uses to calculate the estimated EFC and we plan to use their calculations for our initial release. This estimate uses ranges of their calculations for our initial release. This estimate uses ranges of income, an actual EFC can be determined by completing a FAFSA. income, an actual EFC can be determined by completing a FAFSA. Our calculator will provide the option of entering an EFC if it is Our calculator will provide the option of entering an EFC if it is known based on a FAFSA, or using our estimator. known based on a FAFSA, or using our estimator.

Long term, we may want to develop a SUNY wide or specific campus Long term, we may want to develop a SUNY wide or specific campus estimated parent and student contribution amount based on an estimated parent and student contribution amount based on an evaluation of data from the new submissions instead of, or in evaluation of data from the new submissions instead of, or in addition to the national numbers. The ranges of income and addition to the national numbers. The ranges of income and associated estimated contribution will be stored in a table with a year associated estimated contribution will be stored in a table with a year associated with each row. This will allow us to change the ranges associated with each row. This will allow us to change the ranges and estimated contributions from year to year.and estimated contributions from year to year.

User questionsUser questions

If you have completed a FAFSA and know your If you have completed a FAFSA and know your EFC (Expected Family Contribution), enter it here. EFC (Expected Family Contribution), enter it here. This will be a text box where a number can be This will be a text box where a number can be entered. entered.

OROR What is your (student) income? This will be a What is your (student) income? This will be a

drop down with rangesdrop down with ranges What is the income of your parent(s)? This will be What is the income of your parent(s)? This will be

a drop down with rangesa drop down with ranges How many people from your family will be in How many people from your family will be in

college next year?college next year?

How we calculate the EFCHow we calculate the EFC

We will use the EFC as entered or use We will use the EFC as entered or use income questions to calculate an EFC income questions to calculate an EFC approximationapproximation

Get parent contribution number and Get parent contribution number and student contribution from hard-coded student contribution from hard-coded arrays, based on user's input for arrays, based on user's input for Parent Income and Student Income:Parent Income and Student Income:

Parental Contribution Parental Contribution ArrayArray

32734.5> $100,000

19118.6$90,001 - $100,000

15663.442$80,001 - $90,000

12010.32$70,001 - $80,000

8408.24$60,001 - $70,000

5394.8$50,001 - $60,000

3200.25$40,001 - $50,000

1469.16$30,001 - $40,000

0$0 - $30,000

Parent ContributionParent Income

Student Contribution Student Contribution ArrayArray

35430.457121.4814750.5> $50,000

23128.629775.945994$30,001 - $50,000

18880.821919.591873.1$10,001 - $30,000

14625.914094.53638$5,001 - $10,000

10888.96466.444$1 - $5000

1158.124.360$0

Independent Student Without Dependents

Independent Student With Dependents

Dependent StudentStudent Income

Student Contribution

Estimated EFC CalculationEstimated EFC Calculation

Based on student dependency status, Based on student dependency status, perform the estimated EFC calculation.perform the estimated EFC calculation.

Dependent student:Dependent student:EFC = parent contribution / number in college + EFC = parent contribution / number in college +

student contributionstudent contribution Independent student:Independent student:

EFC = student contribution / number in collegeEFC = student contribution / number in college

Residency QuestionsResidency Questions

Where do you plan to live while Where do you plan to live while attending this institution?attending this institution?

– On-campus (in a residence hall, On-campus (in a residence hall, dormitory, or on-campus apartment)dormitory, or on-campus apartment)

– Living on my own or with a roommateLiving on my own or with a roommate– Living with my parents or other family Living with my parents or other family

membersmembers

In-State/In-DistrictIn-State/In-District

Are you eligible for:Are you eligible for: In-state tuition ( this option will only be In-state tuition ( this option will only be

visible for state operated campuses)visible for state operated campuses) In-district tuition (this option will only be In-district tuition (this option will only be

visible for community colleges)visible for community colleges) Out of district, in state (this option will Out of district, in state (this option will

only be visible for community colleges)only be visible for community colleges) Out of state tuition (this option will always Out of state tuition (this option will always

be visible)be visible)

Student Admission Student Admission CharacteristicsCharacteristics

The next set of questions is used to The next set of questions is used to more carefully determine similar more carefully determine similar students and costs based on student students and costs based on student characteristics. These questions are characteristics. These questions are optional, but by answering the optional, but by answering the questions the applicant will receive a questions the applicant will receive a more accurate estimation of net costs. more accurate estimation of net costs.

Student Admission Student Admission CharacteristicsCharacteristics Will you be applying to this institution as a Will you be applying to this institution as a

Freshman or Transfer StudentFreshman or Transfer Student For transfer students, If known, what is your For transfer students, If known, what is your

college GPA?college GPA? If known, enter your SAT and ACT test scores:If known, enter your SAT and ACT test scores:

– SAT MathSAT Math– SAT Critical readingSAT Critical reading– SAT Writing SAT Writing – ACT composite scoreACT composite score

If known, enter your high school GPA If known, enter your high school GPA

Sample 1 year outputSample 1 year output

Academic Year: 2008-09Academic Year: 2008-09Estimated total price of attendance:Estimated total price of attendance: $39,200$39,200

a.a. Estimated tuitionEstimated tuition $10,000$10,000b.b. Estimated feesEstimated fees $16,600$16,600c.c. Estimated room and board:Estimated room and board: $8,500$8,500d.d. Estimated books and supplies:Estimated books and supplies: $1,250$1,250e.e. Estimated personal expenses:Estimated personal expenses: $300$300f.f. Estimated transportation:Estimated transportation: $300$300g.g. Estimated other expenses:Estimated other expenses: $250$250

Estimated need-based aid:Estimated need-based aid: $10,000$10,000Estimated merit-based aid:Estimated merit-based aid: $7,560$7,560Estimated net price:Estimated net price: $21,640$21,640(Price of attendance minus need-based and merit-based aid)(Price of attendance minus need-based and merit-based aid)Estimated loans:Estimated loans: $10,000$10,000

Estimated work study:Estimated work study: $5,000$5,000Estimated out-of-pocket price:Estimated out-of-pocket price: $6,640$6,640(Net price minus loans and work study)(Net price minus loans and work study)

Open Discussion & Open Discussion & QuestionsQuestions How are schools planning to fulfill this new How are schools planning to fulfill this new

requirement?requirement? Where are schools in the development Where are schools in the development

process?process? What tools are being used to develop cost What tools are being used to develop cost

calculators?calculators? Are schools developing their own calculators Are schools developing their own calculators

or purchasing 3or purchasing 3rdrd party options party options

Thank youThank you