A Q methodology study: Perceptions of selected financial aid directors, financial aid recipients, and information technologists toward the use of technology in the delivery of financial aid services in higher education

The purpose of this exploratory study was to characterize commonalties in perceptions among financial aid directors, financial aid recipients, and information technologists toward the use of technology in the delivery of financial aid services in higher education. A Q methodology was the investigative technique utilized.; The Q sort statements developed were administered to 20 financial aid directors, 20 financial aid recipients, and 20 information technologists specializing in financial aid systems located at 20 colleges and universities throughout the United States.; Factor analysis of the data gathered by the Q sort instrument provided three significant factors or types of people. The perceptions of these groups toward the delivery of financial aid services in higher education were varied. Financial aid directors were identified as humantechies. The humantechies believe that people are the key to providing good service and that technology should function as a tool of support for improving services. In doing so, technology should serve financial aid administrators so that they can efficiently service students and their families. Financial aid recipients were identified as neotechies. The neotechies have grown up with technology and feel that people and computers should work in tandem in order to provide good service. The neotechies understand and accept the complementary nature of the human, technological, and regulatory aspects of financial aid. Information technologists were identified as advotechies . The advotechies take an extreme position regarding the extent and the level to which technology should be implemented in financial aid offices. The advotechies feel strongly that financial aid offices should include technology whenever and wherever possible.