Developing a Web-based Instructional Module to Assist Students in Understanding the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy

Abstract

Financial aid is a key component for students who want to earn a college degree, without it many would not be able to consider post-secondary education as an option. Federal regulations require that students meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) in order to be eligible for Federal Financial Aid, yet few students neither know nor understand this requirement. The purpose of this instructional design project was to develop a web-based module that explains the Financial Aid Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy specifically for UH Maui College students. The web tutorial was designed using the ADDIE model and data collected for the evaluation of the module included the use of survey forms, Retrospective and Likert Scale questionnaires, and observation notes. Overall analysis of the results was positive. Students indicated a substantial increase in understanding SAP after completing the module. In addition, participants achieved an above average score of 81% on the assessment questions. One surprising result of the data analysis were participant responses to the preferred learning method. Of the options of video, text, or a combination of both, over half (53%) choose both while only 12% favored video for learning.