Q: Which platforms will ProSAM run on?
A: The ProSAM server can be installed on the Windows Server operating system and Unix / Linux variants. The ProSAM client will run on Windows 10 and earlier operating systems.
Q: Does ProSAM handle Borrower Based Stafford Loans?
A: Yes, ProSAM can automatically award Borrower Based Stafford Loans in volume and Immediately for individual students. Correct Loan periods and checking for all Borrower Based requirements are done by the software without the need for user intervention. Multiple overlapping loans are correctly reconciled with date limits automatically too.
Q: Does ProSAM awarding module handle Stafford for Graduating Seniors?
A: Yes, full flexibility to award prorated Stafford amounts for Graduating Seniors are made using credit hours, or projected enrollment for a student in their final term as a senior.
Q: Will ProSAM automatically handle State Grant awards?
A: Yes, currently many states such as Illinois, California, Florida and Kentucky, are automatically handled for grant eligibility, tracking of previous awards and remaining eligibility to award these state grants. Other states may be awarded using our Rules Based Awarding features and any further awarding methodology needs may be incorporated by Sigma.
Q: Does the ProSAM software support the Oracle Version 19c database?
A: Yes, ProSAM supports the Oracle versions 19c and earlier. The software currently sent to Sigma users in the Oracle environment will work under any of these versions of the Oracle database. No new software is required for a current Oracle user to upgrade to a newer version of the database. Users wishing to convert to Oracle from another database or file system should contact Sigma Systems at (800) 747-4462.
Q: What version of SQL server is supported in ProSAM?
A: ProSAM is in production use with the SQL Server 2019 and earlier releases.
Q: Is the ProSAM system user defined and controlled rules based?
A: Yes, ProSAM is driven by user configured rules to control document tracking requirements, budgeting, award packaging, diagnostic (message) assignment, selection, reporting and auditing, and many other processes. All ProSAM processes can exclude students from processing, and even assign a diagnostic message to the student recording the exclusion reason, based on user defined rules.
Q: Can ProSAM process Direct PLUS Loan Applications, and can the student automatically be awarded PLUS based on the receipt of an application?
A: Yes, the Loan Application module in ProSAM tracks every application and update that is received. Students can be automatically packaged with a PLUS award using the requested amount from the application or maximum amount of eligibility. A PLUS award can also be offered prior to receiving an application and then automatically linked to the application when it is received.
Q: Can ProSAM automate Direct PLUS Loan processing for multiple borrowers?
A: Yes, ProSAM can automatically package a student with multiple PLUS loans for different borrowers. All borrower information and each application is associated to the student.
Q: How long does it normally take to implement a new Financial Aid system?
A: The answer to that, of course, varies based upon the needs of the school. The time frame from the initial discussions about office needs and current pain points to the moment the system goes live can be as short as six months, but typically lasts around 18 months. This time is spent evaluating current processes, understanding ProSAM modules designed to handle each process and configuring them to work exactly as your counselors and staff desire. Inevitably there are gaps between the needs and what the software currently supports which Sigma views as an opportunity to strengthen the product for all clients as those gaps are addressed.