Case Study: Cabrillo College

December 2025

Goals

Ensure the financial aid office operates effectively.

Situation

Tootie Olsen, Director of Financial Aid at Cabrillo College, along with college leadership approached Blue Icon Advisors to verify the institution is compliant with Title IV Federal Student Aid rules and regulations and operating efficiently. The results of this review will assist the college in identifying opportunities to allow them to improve service to students.

Solution

Blue Icon Advisors administered the NASFAA Standards of Excellence (SOE) review at Cabrillo College. This review is a nonpunitive, peer-to-peer experience since reviews are conducted by currently practicing financial aid administrators. It includes an examination of all operational aspects of Title IV Federal Student Aid administration, operations, and delivery. The review team examined information from the school, administered staff and student surveys, conducted a site visit, tested student files, and provided a detailed report with observations.

Outcome

Olsen reported that getting clarification on areas the college needed to improve was the most rewarding experience of the SOE review. “The report contained some of the same concerns we’ve been trying to bring attention to. Now we have validation of our concerns,” Olsen said.

Blue Icon followed up with Olsen six months after the review concluded:

"The SOE was great for our school. It helped us get some traction with some things we have known were issues. While many are still not solved, they are at least on the minds of upper administration. This is more meaningful than just hearing from me. Additionally, it helped us with some areas we did not know we were out of compliance with. So overall, it was wonderful."

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