What is Award+™?

Award+ is a predictive modeling solution that combines advanced data analytics with strategic human insight to help institutions optimize financial aid to achieve their enrollment, retention, and net revenue goals.

How is Award+ different from RNL’s Advanced Financial Aid Solution?

Now that RNL and HAI are part of Encoura, our combined strengths have resulted in an enhanced financial aid optimization solution. With Award+, you will still receive a predictive yield model, financial aid optimization and awarding matrices, multi-cycle reporting, an interactive dashboard, regular scoring, and ongoing consulting support throughout the cycle.

In addition, you will now benefit from the following:

A predictive first-to-second year retention model and forecasting
Expanded data visualizations and reporting to unlock even deeper insight throughout the cycle with more frequent data refreshes
Enhanced, streamlined data delivery

How is Award+ different from HAI’s financial aid solutions?

With our enhanced financial aid solution as a unified Encoura, institutions will continue to receive a custom predictive yield model, financial aid optimization and awarding matrices, multi-cycle reporting, an interactive dashboard, regular scoring, first-to-second year retention modeling, and ongoing consulting support throughout the cycle.

In addition, you will now benefit from the following:

Expanded data visualizations and reporting to unlock even deeper insight throughout the cycle with frequent data refreshes
Rich market insight informed by a broader network of institutions
Enhanced, streamlined data delivery

Do I need to change my data layout for Award+?

To support Award+ for the Fall 2027 enrollment cycle, you’ll need to provide Encoura with data consistent with the layouts below. These are separated into two layouts based on the systems in which the requested fields typically reside: admissions and financial aid.

Data will be required in this format for all new model and awarding strategy development for the entering Fall 2027 pool, in addition to future tracking and reporting throughout the cycle.

Do I need to change my data layout for the current Fall 2026 cycle?

No, if you’re currently using financial aid services from RNL or HAI for the Fall 2026 enrollment cycle, you’ll want to continue providing data to us just as you do now to continue receiving reporting updates and scoring through census. The new layout will be effective for the Fall 2027 cycle.

Is there a period of time where I’ll need to send data in both the existing and new formats?

To support the current Fall 2026 cycle tracking reports and model scoring, data in the current format is required through census. To build the Fall 2027 cycle model and awarding strategies, the new format is needed. If your campus typically provides data prior to 10/31 for these purposes, there will be overlap of data formats needed with the overlap dependent on when modeling takes place. Your consultant and Encoura’s data integrity specialists will provide additional guidance.

Institutions that did not receive financial aid services from RNL or HAI, only data in the new format will be needed for onboarding and Fall 2027 modeling.

What is the new import layout for Award+?

For information regarding new layouts needed for importing your data to Encoura, please reference the Financial Aid Import Layout here and the Encoura Standard Import layout here. These two files are needed for Award+ and typically come from two different systems on campus. If you are able to provide all of this information in a single file, let us know and we can provide details on how to provide this.

How do I integrate this new data layout with my CRM?

If your institution uses Slate for your CRM, please reference the Slate Integration information provided here. For other systems, we offer both API integration information and SFTP integration.

If I am a current RNL or HAI partner, how will this affect my current contract?

All current contracts and commitments will remain in effect, in addition to the new, expanded features of Award+ that we’re excited to bring to our partners.

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