FA Budgets

This sample FOCUS program demonstrates how to create batch transactions to fill in the financial aid budget information (screens 312 and 313 in the SIS on-line system). First, a little bit of background on the financial aid process. Before a student is awarded financial aid, a budget is created based on their marital status, whether or not they are living with their parents, etc. For example, an "independent" student (one living on their own) would be allowed more expenses than a "dependent" student (one living with their parents). This (I would think) impacts how much financial aid they are awarded. So a budget criteria needs to be developed for each possible student profile. This used to be done by hand, but hey this is the 90s, let the computer do it! :-) The FOCEXEC presented in this example establishes an "institutional" budget (there has to be an accompanying "Pell" budget) for unmarried in-state students living at home.