EduNavigator
Financial Aid and Scholarship navigator app for college students
Timeline
EduNavigator's main objective is to help college students navigate through the lengthy, complicated process of college financial aid and scholarship applications. To simplify this process, the app supports students during and after by personalizing scholarship recommendations, calculating aid, checking eligibility, and organizing important documents in the most efficient way possible for busy students.
EduNavigator's main objective is to help college students navigate through the lengthy, complicated process of college financial aid and scholarship applications. To simplify this process, the app supports students during and after by personalizing scholarship recommendations, calculating aid, checking eligibility, and organizing important documents in the most efficient way possible for busy students.
-User Persona
-User Flow
-Interactive Prototype
Key Deliverables
The Problem
The financial aid application process is lengthy, confusing, and time-consuming
Currently, 52% of students cited "complexity of the process" as a major barrier to applying for financial aid. (Source)
In the US alone, 65% of students report that applying for scholarships is too time-consuming, requiring extensive paperwork, essays, and financial documentation. (Source)
Many students receive financial aid decisions late in the process, leaving 42% of them uncertain about their college plans by the enrollment deadline. (Source)
September – November 2024
September – November 2024
Timeline
The Problem
The financial aid application process is lengthy, confusing, and time-consuming
Currently, 52% of students cited "complexity of the process" as a major barrier to applying for financial aid. (Source)
In the US alone, 65% of students report that applying for scholarships is too time-consuming, requiring extensive paperwork, essays, and financial documentation. (Source)
Many students receive financial aid decisions late in the process, leaving 42% of them uncertain about their college plans by the enrollment deadline. (Source)
The Problem
The financial aid application process is lengthy, confusing, and time-consuming
Currently, 52% of students cited "complexity of the process" as a major barrier to applying for financial aid. (Source)
In the US alone, 65% of students report that applying for scholarships is too time-consuming, requiring extensive paperwork, essays, and financial documentation. (Source)
Many students receive financial aid decisions late in the process, leaving 42% of them uncertain about their college plans by the enrollment deadline. (Source)
Overview
Overview
The Solution
Simplifying the application process by providing support and resources for college students
The Solution
Simplifying the application process by providing support and resources for college students
Our aim is to give college students access to the necessary resources and support needed to navigate the financial aid/scholarship application process. Many students often struggle with managing deadlines and scholarship requirements, with the added burden of navigating the financial aid process. This often results in confusion, unanswered questions, and missing out on opportunities. EduNavigator aims to effectively address and alleviate these pain points by providing an all-in-one experience that guides and supports students during the application process.
Design Statement
Problem Statement
When college students lack clarity and access to scholarships and financial aid opportunities, they face challenges such as difficulty navigating complex application processes, limited time to research and apply due to academic and personal responsibilities, and frustration from missing deadlines or opportunities. They need an app that simplifies and streamlines the process by providing a centralized, user-friendly platform that offers personalized recommendations, deadline reminders, and accessible resources to empower students in securing the financial support they need.
Segment of Interest (SOI)
Our segment of interest is current and incoming college students who are navigating the scholarship and financial aid application process
User Persona
I then designed a primary user persona for the app
After conducting secondary research about student's experiences with the financial aid process, I created a user persona based on this information.
User Journey/Flow
I then mapped out a typical user flow for the app to get a better idea of how users might interact with the app
After conducting usability testing with a participant, I then modified the user flow based on their feedback to get a more accurate understanding of how a typical user might interact with the experience
Key Deliverables
-User Persona
-User Flow
-Interactive Prototype
Low Fidelity Wireframes
I then translated these ideas into lo-fi wireframes
My Role
My Role
UX/UI Designer
Researcher
UX/UI Designer
Researcher
Modifications
After conducting a round of usability testing I implemented a few changes suggested by the participants
User Journey/Flow
I then mapped out a typical user flow for the app to get a better idea of how users might interact with the app
After conducting usability testing with a participant, I then modified the user flow based on their feedback to get a more accurate understanding of how a typical user might interact with the experience
User Persona
I then designed a primary user persona for the app
After conducting secondary research about student's experiences with the financial aid process, I created a user persona based on this information.
Our aim is to give college students access to the necessary resources and support needed to navigate the financial aid/scholarship application process. Many students often struggle with managing deadlines and scholarship requirements, with the added burden of navigating the financial aid process. This often results in confusion, unanswered questions, and missing out on opportunities. EduNavigator aims to effectively address and alleviate these pain points by providing an all-in-one experience that guides and supports students during the application process.
The Solution
Simplifying the application process by providing support and resources for college students
Design Statement
Problem Statement
When college students lack clarity and access to scholarships and financial aid opportunities, they face challenges such as difficulty navigating complex application processes, limited time to research and apply due to academic and personal responsibilities, and frustration from missing deadlines or opportunities. They need an app that simplifies and streamlines the process by providing a centralized, user-friendly platform that offers personalized recommendations, deadline reminders, and accessible resources to empower students in securing the financial support they need.
Segment of Interest (SOI)
Our segment of interest is current and incoming college students who are navigating the scholarship and financial aid application process
Key Features
After conducting secondary research and creating a primary user persona, I compiled a list of mandatory functions and features of this app meant to assist and guide students through the application process by giving them access to various resources.
List of Features and Functions
Final Prototype
The finalized hi-fi prototype
Reflection
If I could fully flesh out this project…
In the future, I plan on integrating an AI assistant into the app to personalize the experience more
AI generated reminders
AI suggested aid recommendations
Create more screens to describe the application details
Conducting user interviews with college students from different schools who are at different points in their college career
Bypass choosing your school as a part of onboarding and instead make the school email sync feature optional once the user has completed initial onboarding
Key Features
After conducting secondary research and creating a primary user persona, I compiled a list of mandatory functions and features of this app meant to assist and guide students through the application process by giving them access to various resources.
List of Features and Functions
Feature 1 - Syncing with school email
Feature 2 - Personalized real-time notifications
Feature 3 - Personalized aid
Feature 4 - Eligibility check
Feature 5 - Aid calculator
Feature 6 - To-do checklist
Feature 7 - Document organizer
Feature 8 - Gamified progress tracker
High Fidelity Wireframes
I narrowed down the features + completed all necessary screens
After reviewing feedback from the usability testing session, I implemented more visual indicators through icons
I also added a progress tracker under the student profile screen as a visual representation of their progress tracker