© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
Talia BrownGraceland University, Lamoni, IAMay 28 to 31, 2014 – Washington, DC
#498 Cognos Letters for Financial Aid
© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
Do you have report writers in your office?
How are you currently utilizing Cognos? Are you utilizing Word Merge processes?
Cognos Usage
Here are a few ways we utilize Cognos!
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Prepare Data
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Format Page(s)
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‘Page’ properties; adjust margins Utilizing ‘Padding’ Insert headers or footers as needed
Insert ‘Table’ within ‘Table’ Insert ‘Image’
Format Your Page(s)
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New Students – File the FAFSA!Three simple queries1. LETTER
• Identifies who needs the letter based on a specific contact (generated by tickler) and completed today.
• Selects the appropriate addressing fields. • Ensures the student has not already filed a FAFSA.
(ID not in FAFSA Query)• Ensures the student is not already identified as a non-
filer. (ID not in NON-FILER Query)2. FAFSA
• Selects anyone who has filed a FAFSA for the current financial aid year.
3. NON-FILER• Selects anyone who has been identified as a non-filer
for the current financial aid year.
© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
Insert ‘Block’ inside ‘Table’ Utilize the ‘Render Variable’ option in the ‘Properties’ window
‘New Boolean Variable’
Render Variable Text
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Simple query that pulls in address information.
Prompts for ID Variable text if the student needs to
complete exit counseling or if they had a TEACH Grant.
Letter to Students Leaving Graceland
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‘Layout Calculation’ – allows for various text options. Example:
• IF (REASON CODE = ‘WD’) • THEN ('Always remember, we told you not to take out the
maximum loans and we told you not to blow your credit balance on video games.')
• ELSE ('Congratulations on your graduation. You have a grace period and then reality hits and you must repay your loans. Enjoy.')
Another Variable Option
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Envelopes or LablesPage properties – size of your envelopeInsert repeater table with address info and group by unique field
Create a Page SetGroup the page set by a unique field
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Standard Mailing Labels
• Insert a Repeater Table
• In the Properties of the table you can set the number of cells across and down
© 2014 Jenzabar, Inc.
Cognos tools provide numerous
opportunities.
Try something new!