5 Features your NPC Needs

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5 FEATURES YOUR NPC NEEDS Presented by TWG Plus

description

An outline of the features and functionality you should consider while searching for a Net Price Calculator. Presented by Ross Clurman and TWG Plus (http://www.twgplus.com) (@twgplus)

Transcript of 5 Features your NPC Needs

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5 FEATURES YOUR NPC NEEDSPresented by TWG Plus

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WHO WE ARERoss ClurmanDirector of Marketing

Dale GaubatzExecutive Director of Strategic Enrollment Management

Talmadge BoydDirector of Interactive Strategies

Chris McGrathLead Web Developer

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THE HEOA

Overview –• October 29, 2011 deadline• Use the federally provided template• Develop your own Net Price Calculator• Outsource the development of your Net Price Calculator

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THE FEDERAL TEMPLATE

Overview –• Complete an online application• Populate some basic tables based on averages• Enter optional caveats and explanations• Download your packaged NPC

While it is extremely easy to build and use, there are limitations...

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FEDERAL LIMITATIONS

• Lacks customizations – both to design and functionality• No “help” feature for users• Users cannot save/continue• Institutions do not have the ability to track usage• Highly inaccurate:

“A test of the federal template using 145,000 actual dependent and independent students’ financial profiles found that 7 out of 10 students fell outside of the correct Federal Methodology (FM) EFC range, with an average discrepancy of $6,187.”

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FIVE FEATURES YOU NEED

1. Accuracy

2. Customizations – both to look/feel and functionality

3. Save and continue

4. Ease of use – for end users and for your staff

5. Administrative system

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ACCURACY

• Someone who regularly tests the accuracy of NPC results• Ensure you provide the a good representation of actual costs

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CUSTOMIZATIONS – DESIGN

• Your NPC is an extension of your brand • Especially important when using a third-party• Seamless transition from your website to the calculator• Reduces reluctance to provide personal information

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DESIGN EXAMPLES

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CUSTOM FUNCTIONALITY

• Multiple-campus cost calculation• Estimate cost for current or future academic year• Integration of merit awards and scholarships• Contact field integration to generate leads

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POPULAR CUSTOMIZATIONS

• Enter your EFC & skip the calculation steps• Additional academic fields (i.e. “Program of Interest”)• Integration of “Next Steps” on the Results page• Email my results functionality

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NEXT STEPS

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EMAIL MY RESULTS

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SAVE & CONTINUE

• Similar to online shopping, it’s frustrating to start over• Provide a unique ID or username/password• Collect optional contact information as a failsafe

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UNIQUE USER ID

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OPTIONAL CONTACT INFO

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EASE OF USE & HELP

• Important for both end users (students/parents) and your staff• Easy to use and easy to learn how to manage

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EASY FOR END USERS

• Pre-populated fields (“Status”)• Detailed explanation of some questions• Calculation worksheets• Contact info for specific questions

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DETAILED EXPLANATIONS

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CALCULATION WORKSHEET

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CONTACT US

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EASY FOR STAFF

• Clean interface design• A simple Admin System

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REPORTING & TRACKING

• Who’s using your Net Price Calculator• How often it’s being accessed• Are users completing the NPC• Automatic notifications and reports

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USER INFORMATION

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DETAILED USER INFO

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NOTIFICATIONS

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REPORTING

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QUESTIONS

Ross ClurmanDirector of Marketing

[email protected]

(512) 476-7101

Thank you for your time.