Online Guide for Texas Private Colleges Receives a New 'Student Friendly' Design as its Popularity and Usage Continue to Soar
TexasMentor, online resource for planning, exploring, and applying to private colleges in Texas has an improved look and layout that makes access to a network of 40 campuses faster and more convenient.
Culver City, CA – October 28, 2003 – Xap Corporation today announced the release of the redesigned TexasMentor website, an innovative Internet-based system that allows instant access to specific information on any of the 40 institutions that make up the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas (ICUT), Inc.
The site is funded by Texas Guaranteed (TG), and is operated by XAP on behalf of ICUT and TG.
First launched in February 1999, the site www.texasmentor.org has experienced a steady increase in the number of students who use its services to research and apply to private colleges throughout the state of Texas.
During its first month in operation, the total number of student visitors to the site was 245, compared to the 30,000-a-month student users today.
During the last 12 months ending in September 2003, the site received 375,000 visitors who opened 19,000 student accounts and submitted 11,000 electronic admission applications.
ICUT administrators are elated over the number of online applications submitted so far this year - an impressive 40% increase over the total number of applications for all of 2002.
"The success of TexasMentor has been remarkable," said Carol McDonald, President of the Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas.
"We have seen a tremendous jump in the number of students and families using the site to research colleges, apply for financial aid, and submit applications online."
The new TexasMentor site displays a user-friendly, simplified layout with attractive graphics that lets prospective students easily select the curriculum and career planning, exploring, or application process.
In addition, the site has been updated with the latest technology to handle the high-volume demands for information retrieval, storage, and processing, as well as improved financial-aid tools that assist students in determining estimated costs and how to afford a college education.
"We are very excited about the redesign and continued success of the TexasMentor site," said Milt Wright, President and CEO of Texas Guaranteed.
"Increasing access to higher education for the students of Texas, and delivering the message about the affordability of education are two of our goals that TexasMentor helps us to achieve."
The site still offers the original services that allow prospective students to research individual needs and preferences, conduct virtual campus tours, match their needs and interests with specific institutions, establish direct e-mail communication with campus representatives, perform scholarship searches, and utilize a host of other features, including a comprehensive section on financial aid to help students and their families understand their opportunities and eligibility.
"It has been a pleasure working with ICUT and TG, two organizations that have always worked to improve student access to higher education in Texas," said Allen Firstenberg, President and CEO of Xap Corp.
Xap is a recognized leader in Internet-based student services, and currently operates 35 live Mentor systems across the U.S.
About ICUT
Independent Colleges and Universities of Texas, Inc. (ICUT), is a nonprofit association and a member of the Texas Higher Education Coalition (THEC).
The group's goal is to raise awareness around the important issues of accessibility, affordability, and retention in the Texas colleges and universities, and is the voice for Texas' fully accredited private colleges and universities.
For more than 30 years, it has fulfilled its mission of helping policymakers recognize the importance and value of the independent sector of higher education.
Additional information about ICUT can be found online at www.icut.org.
About TG
TG is a public, nonprofit corporation that helps to create access to higher education for millions of families and students through its role as an administrator of the Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP).
Its vision is to be the premier source of information, financing, and assistance to help all families and students realize their educational and career dreams.
Additional information about TG can be found online at www.tgslc.org.
About Xap
Headquartered in the Los Angeles area, Xap Corporation focuses on the creation of comprehensive Internet-based information management systems relating to secondary and post-secondary education.
Founded in 1996, Xap is the leading developer of online student services systems for associations and statewide groups of colleges and universities across the United States.
Xap's national website, www.xap.com and many Mentor® websites provide the necessary tools for students to select and prepare for college, apply online, learn about financial aid opportunities, and explore career options.
