FIA Revolutionizes Scholarship Management with OpenWater

Transitioning from Manual Processes to a Streamlined, Cost-Effective Online System
Problem:
FIA's previous scholarship application system was heavily dependent on spreadsheets and manual data entry, leading to inefficient workflows that burdened both staff and applicants. The task of processing applications was tedious, and the organization faced significant costs using an outdated third-party platform that no longer met their evolving needs. The lack of an automated, centralized system made it difficult to manage applications effectively, and reviewers frequently encountered challenges in accessing relevant information in a timely manner.
Solution:
FIA implemented OpenWater to overhaul their scholarship management process, transforming it from a labor-intensive, manual workflow to a seamless, online system. With OpenWater, FIA gained a centralized, user-friendly platform that not only streamlined data management but also simplified the entire application and review process. "Before OpenWater, we were manually filling out information in spreadsheets for scholarship applications, and it was incredibly time-consuming," stated the Marketing and Website Coordinator at FIA. "Now, the process is all online, and everyone on our team appreciates how much smoother it is." The Membership Manager at FIA added, "We used to rely on another platform that was costly and didn't meet our needs. Moving to OpenWater allowed us to save on costs while gaining a much more efficient system for reviewing applications.