So there’s a lot of talk about FAST and SSS. And while (being a braggart for a moment) the FAST reviews are amazing (I can’t tell you how often we say, “Man … you can’t make this stuff up!") there is a repeating question that puzzles me. The question goes something like: Who awards more … FAST or SSS? Said another way, will my awards increase or decrease if I use FAST versus SSS?

FAST is designed on a threshold system. Those thresholds are customizable. That means that you (the financial aid administrator) have the ability to look at the cost of living in your area and set the FAST thresholds at levels that are appropriate to your locale. SO, it’s not about whether or not FAST or SSS gives away more money ... it’s about whether the awards are RIGHT, so that you’ve fairly evaluated each family for your school. We guarantee that if you’ll take just 30 minutes to set up the FAST program, you’ll find your awards nearly perfect – you won’t have to adjust them one iota from family to family.

The merits of this kind of thinking are numerous. But to me the most compelling is this: Comparing your entire application pool to exactly the same standard, flexibility to change those standards when a families’ circumstances warrant it … … it just seems fair to me – and besides ... it’s FAST!

Oh, and in case you’re wondering, our clients report that they are certain that they give away the right amount of money to their applicants – in some cases it’s more and in many it’s less – but the bottom line is that the awards are right!