New Coug Orientation

Student Financial Communication & Information Design

Role: Account Specialist, WSU Bursar’s Office

Overview

As part of Washington State University's New Coug Orientation program, I developed print and presentation materials designed to help incoming students and families understand student account processes, payment options, financial timelines, and campus resources. The materials were distributed during orientation sessions and served as a quick-reference guide for families navigating university financial systems for the first time.

The Challenge

Student billing and financial policies contain large amounts of technical information that can be difficult for new students and families to understand.

The challenge was to organize this information into a format that was:

  • Easy to navigate

  • Visually organized

  • Accessible to diverse audiences

  • Consistent with WSU branding

  • Useful during and after orientation

My Role

  • Designed orientation handouts and educational materials

  • Organized complex policy information into digestible sections

  • Created visual hierarchy to improve readability

  • Developed materials aligned with WSU brand standards

  • Supported orientation presentations and student outreach efforts

Skills Demonstrated

  • Information Design

  • Print Design

  • Layout Design

  • Content Strategy

  • Visual Communication

  • Accessibility Awareness

  • Higher Education Marketing

  • Audience-Focused Design

  • Brand Standards Compliance

Brochure & Presentation

Featured Content

The brochure included:

  • Important academic and payment deadlines

  • Student account payment methods

  • Refund information

  • Third-party access guidance

  • FERPA-related information

  • Campus resource directory

  • Financial aid and scholarship information

  • Key service contacts across the university

Design Considerations

When creating this brochure, I focused on:

  • Clear information hierarchy

  • Scan-friendly layouts

  • Consistent typography

  • High readability

  • Strategic use of color

  • Quick-reference content organization

The final piece condensed a large volume of information into a format students and families could easily retain and reference after orientation.

Marketing brochure designed for Washington State University New Coug Orientation featuring important student account dates, Bursar's Office contact information, campus resource contacts, a QR code linking to additional information, and a student-focu
Marketing brochure designed for Washington State University New Coug Orientation featuring student account payment options, refund information, third-party access guidance, payment plan details, and an overview of Bursar's Office services for student
Informational slide describing FERPA-authorized third-party access, explaining how students can grant parents or supporters permission to access account information and tax documents. Features an account access or authorization graphic.
Process diagram showing how GET plans, 529 plans, and other third-party education funds move from approval through payment processing and final posting to a student account. Includes a step-by-step workflow illustration.
Reminder slide encouraging students to check email and monitor their student account regularly, organize classes on the same day and understand add/drop deadlines, keep mailing and contact addresses up to date, create third-party account access for p
Title slide for the Washington State University Bursar's Office presentation featuring the Cougar logo and the message "Bursar's Office: We Are Here to Help." A welcoming introduction to student financial services and account management resources.
Contact information slide providing Bursar's Office website, phone numbers, mailing address, office location, and email addresses for general inquiries, guarantees, and scholarships.
Resource directory listing important WSU contacts including Crimson Service Desk, Financial Aid, Housing and Dining Services, Cougar Health Services, Athletics Ticket Office, Parking Services, and Veterans Affairs. Features a campus resource or direc
Instructional slide outlining student payment methods including mail, online payments, credit cards, e-checks, cash, and checks. Features an illustration representing payments or financial transactions.
Continuation of payment plan information outlining setup fees, down payment requirements, enrollment deadlines, and payment plan restrictions for summer and winter terms. Includes payment plan illustration.
Overview slide listing Bursar's Office services including tuition and fees, payments, payment plans, scholarships, third-party guarantees, refunds, late fees, past-due balances, registration holds, and tax forms. Features a speech bubble graphic aski
Closing slide displaying contact information for both the Bursar's Office and Student Financial Services, including phone numbers, extensions, and email addresses. Provides final resources for students seeking financial assistance or account support.
Information slide describing student payment plan options, including installment payments, automatic notifications, eligibility requirements, and online enrollment instructions. Features a payment plan or financial management graphic.
Educational slide explaining refund options including paper checks and direct deposit, with information about processing times, mailing addresses, and refund security. Features a graphic illustrating refunds or direct deposit.
Informational slide explaining key billing timelines, including when charges appear on student accounts, payment due dates, and late fee schedules. Features an illustration of a person standing beside a large question mark.
Information slide explaining how students should submit external scholarship documentation, including scholarship designation forms and mailing instructions for scholarship donors. Features a scholarship or financial aid graphic.
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