How to Use QR Codes in Art Schools to Gather Feedback

In today’s digitally driven world, QR codes have emerged as essential tools for bridging offline engagement with online interaction. For art schools, they offer a seamless, interactive, and measurable way to enhance student, parent, and community involvement without the need for app downloads or complex setup. Whether gathering feedback on art exhibits, collecting admissions insights, or improving classroom participation, QR codes are redefining possibilities in creative education.

Yet many art schools struggle to engage high-value prospects or collect meaningful feedback because traditional forms and sign-up sheets often go unnoticed, overlooked, or untracked, leaving crucial insights and opportunities behind. As visitor numbers rise, anonymous traffic grows, and the risk of missed follow-up increases, the need for smarter engagement intensifies. Sona is an AI-powered marketing platform that turns first-party data into revenue through automated attribution, data activation, and workflow orchestration, providing helpful context when you’re connecting offline scans to broader funnel performance.

By deploying QR codes across gallery spaces, brochures, and campus signage, art schools can quickly capture real-time feedback, drive prospective students to landing pages, and streamline administrative processes. Modern solutions now allow schools to track and segment engagement at every touchpoint with Sona QR’s product overview, ensuring every physical interaction becomes a chance for digital follow-up. This dynamic tool facilitates actionable insights and ensures that each prospect or visitor is guided through a thoughtful journey, nurturing both the art school’s reputation and operational efficiency.

How to Gather Feedback in Art Schools Using QR Codes: A Step-by-Step Guide

Art schools often face the challenge of collecting timely, candid feedback from students, families, and visitors, especially when traditional methods like printed forms result in low response rates or go untracked. These gaps can leave schools with limited insights into what is working and where improvement is needed.

Replacing analog processes with QR-enabled journeys gives every audience a direct path to respond. The shift is simple: scan, submit, and sync to your systems. In practice, that means fewer lost comment cards, faster turnaround on improvements, and a clear record of engagement tied to the moment and place it occurred.

• Digitize feedback collection: Replace printed survey forms and comment cards with instant-access digital feedback via QR codes on exhibit signage, event brochures, or classroom doors. Try a short survey flow using google forms QR to reduce missed submissions and administrative friction while improving response volume and speed.
• Define measurable success: Set goals such as higher response rates, shorter time to insight, and reduced manual data entry. Common wins include moving from single-digit response rates to 30 to 50 percent participation at exhibits, along with faster post-event debriefs that fuel actionable improvements.
• Design for visibility and intent: Position codes at art installations, registration desks, or classroom entrances with clear calls to action such as “Scan to Share Your Thoughts”. Visibility, concise instructions, and proximity to the moment of experience all increase scan likelihood and survey completion.
• Track and iterate: Use analytic dashboards to monitor scan volume, completion rate, and response quality. Spot drop-off points, compare exhibit-to-exhibit performance, and refine calls to action or form length based on real behavior.

Imagine an art gallery opening where visitors scan a QR code on their program to leave immediate impressions, or students scanning after critiques to provide candid, structured feedback. Every scan becomes a concrete opportunity to understand and improve the learning environment, and the entire loop from input to action becomes faster and more transparent.

Why Do QR Codes Matter for Art Schools?

Art schools face unique challenges in capturing the diverse voices of their student body and community, especially during events and exhibitions. Potential leads and valuable opinions often remain lost because physical interactions are not tracked or attributed. When key visitors walk through your gallery or attend an open house, their interest may be missed if they are not prompted to engage digitally or identified later for follow-up.

QR codes address these gaps by turning passive moments into participation. They meet people where they already are: looking at artwork, flipping through a brochure, or walking a campus tour. This immediacy improves response rates, reduces friction, and helps schools prioritize follow-up with the people who have already signaled interest.

• Offline to online gaps: Transition physical gallery experiences and open houses into measurable digital interactions. QR codes on labels, signs, and programs surface interest from previously anonymous traffic and connect it to a clear next step such as surveys, signups, or registrations.
• Need for speed and simplicity: Attendees can instantly provide feedback or access information with one scan. Removing login requirements or long URLs minimizes barriers that typically cause even highly interested individuals to abandon forms midway.
• Dynamic content flexibility: Update feedback forms or event schedules in real time. Dynamic QR codes let teams adapt content without reprinting materials, which is ideal for multi-day exhibitions, revised studio hours, or evolving event agendas.
• Trackability: Gain visibility into which events or materials drive genuine engagement. Attribute scans, form fills, and registrations to specific placements, clarify ROI, and inform future programming or marketing investments. See Sona’s offline attribution guidance for deeper strategy.
• Cost efficiency: Digitizing manual processes reduces printing and data entry costs. Schools can also cut wasted ad spend by connecting offline scans to online conversions, which supports smarter targeting and better budget allocation.

QR codes are especially impactful on student portfolios, scholarship materials, and campus maps. They capture meaningful engagement at the exact moment interest peaks and reduce the risk of valuable leads slipping through the cracks due to manual workflows or untracked touchpoints.

Common QR Code Formats for Art School Applications

Multiple QR code formats address the varied needs of art schools and help overcome specific operational challenges. Select formats based on the action you want people to take and the context where they encounter the code.

• Web links: Direct scanners to surveys, event registration forms, virtual galleries, or student portals. This format is ideal for exhibit feedback, RSVP pages, and landing pages that capture interest and attribute it back to the source.
• vCards: Enable instant saving of faculty or admissions counselor contacts. Prospective students keep a direct path to your team, which matters after portfolio reviews, high school outreach events, or open houses. Explore QR business cards and why QR can be better than business cards in creative fields.
• SMS or email: Pre-fill inquiry messages or information requests. This reduces friction for people who want to engage on the spot but do not have time to complete a lengthy form. For inspiration, see Sona QR’s QR SMS campaigns.
• Wi-Fi access: Simplify internet onboarding for visitors and workshop attendees. Fast connectivity encourages participation in digital activities such as live polls or submission forms.
• App downloads: Guide users to school apps, digital guides, or AR-enabled exhibit companions. This is useful for orientation weeks and special exhibitions that benefit from multimedia content.

Dynamic QR codes are particularly helpful for art schools because schedules, links, and campaigns evolve. When you need to update destinations or rotate content based on feedback, dynamic codes let you optimize without reprinting, which preserves budgets and keeps experiences current. For broader best practices, explore Sona QR’s QR codes in marketing.

Identifying Growth Opportunities for Art Schools

Many art schools miss high-value opportunities because engagement signals from key visitors, prospective students, or alumni go untracked or surface too late to act. QR codes make it possible to capture and respond to intent quickly, while also feeding your CRM and marketing tools with clean, actionable data.

The key is to place codes where interest is already high and a next step makes sense. When someone is leaning in to read a label or flipping through a brochure, that is your chance to prompt a scan that turns curiosity into a digital connection.

• Gallery exhibitions and open houses: Place codes on artwork labels, event programs, or tickets to capture real-time reactions and contact information. Segment responses by exhibit, theme, or date to prioritize follow-up with the most engaged visitors.
• Course materials and syllabi: Link to assignment portals, tutorial videos, or attendance check-ins. Replacing manual sign-in sheets reduces errors and gives educators timely, reliable participation data.
• Print advertising and posters: Attach codes to open day flyers, scholarship notices, or community outreach posters. Direct scanners to inquiry pages, tour signups, or financial aid resources to convert ambient interest into trackable leads. See Sona QR’s ideas for QR posters.
• Orientation events and workshops: Use QR codes for check-in, session selection, and post-visit surveys. This ensures even brief interactions are recorded and that participants receive tailored follow-ups and resources.

Advanced tools can segment responses and sync engagement history with CRM systems, helping each data point translate into a tailored follow-up. Instead of losing momentum between touchpoints, your team can design an intentional journey from first scan to application or enrollment, powered by an intent data guide from Sona when you’re ready to deepen segmentation.

Use Cases for QR Codes in Art Schools

QR codes shine when they connect an in-person moment to a relevant digital action. Below are common use cases that art schools can implement quickly to improve feedback collection, streamline operations, and build stronger relationships.

• Art exhibit feedback: Invite visitors to rate installations, leave comments, or choose a “people’s choice” award. Feedback at the point of experience is more accurate and generates qualitative insights that inform future curation.
• Program application follow-up: Include QR codes in recruitment brochures and counselor business cards so prospects can request information or start applications instantly. You will rescue high-intent leads who might otherwise walk away due to time pressure or misplaced materials. For tactics, see how to share contact info with QR.
• Classroom engagement: Place QR codes at classroom entrances for attendance, peer critiques, project voting, or resource access. Educators gain concrete participation data and students get frictionless access to materials. More ideas in Sona QR’s QR in education.

Some schools now combine these approaches with automated systems. For example, anyone who scans an exhibit feedback QR and opts in can receive a curated guide to upcoming events, while non-converted prospects who scanned from an admissions flyer can get timely reminders before application deadlines. This closes a common loop of dropped interest and uneven follow-through.

Building High-Value Audiences for Retargeting with QR Code Campaigns in Art Schools

A recurring pain point for art schools is not knowing which prospects or attendees are most likely to convert, re-engage, or refer others. Traditional outreach can feel generic and disconnected, resulting in wasted effort. Each QR scan becomes a useful signal for audience segmentation so that follow-up is personalized and timely.

Segmenting by intent, time, and context allows your admissions and marketing teams to move from broad blasts to targeted nurturing. The result is stronger relationships and higher conversion rates with less noise.

• Deploy unique codes by touchpoint: Create distinct QR codes for gallery visitors, prospective students, current enrollees, and alumni. Each scan feeds a segmented list that reflects actual behavior and stage.
• Tag by action taken: Differentiate between feedback providers, event attendees, portfolio reviewers, and program inquirers. These tags let you tailor content such as critique workshops for feedback givers or financial aid guidance for application starters.
• Track context to qualify interest: Record where and when a scan occurs. A scan on a senior showcase label suggests deeper program interest than a scan on a general campus poster. Context helps prioritize outreach and match content to the moment.
• Sync segments to your CRM and ad platforms: Integrate scan data with tools like HubSpot, Salesforce, or email marketing platforms. Trigger workflows that send exhibit recaps, invite high-intent prospects to portfolio days, or show tailored social ads to alumni who scanned at reunion events.

As scan data flows in, some institutions automatically build remarketing audiences for scholarship campaigns, open studio invitations, or admitted-student days. Audiences stay fresh because they are fed by real-world behavior rather than assumptions. See Sona’s playbook on intent-driven retargeting to translate scans into action.

Integrating QR Codes Across the Art School Marketing Mix

Disconnected campaigns and fragmented touchpoints often cause inconsistent messaging and missed follow-up. Integrating QR codes at every stage of your marketing mix creates cohesive, traceable experiences that guide people from curiosity to commitment.

A well-integrated approach begins with mapping where your audiences interact with your brand offline. From there, pair each physical placement with a digital destination and a measurement plan so that every scan contributes data to a unified journey.

• Print collateral and event programs: Link recipients to multimedia exhibits, digital catalogues, or open feedback forms. Print assets stop being dead ends and become gateways to measurable interactions that inform curation and recruiting.
• Social media and student campaigns: Place QR codes on posters, stickers, or student merch that encourage submissions to contests or calls for art. For timely inspiration, check these back-to-school QR ideas.
• Direct mail: Connect postcards or brochures to personalized landing pages for applications or scholarships. You will see which households respond and which offers resonate, improving future targeting and creative. Explore Sona QR’s direct mail tactics.
• Event signage and gallery screens: Prompt immediate actions such as joining a virtual tour, downloading a map, or signing up for workshops. Track each scan to ensure peak-interest moments translate into measurable engagement using digital signage strategies.
• Admissions fairs and portfolio reviews: Use QR codes to collect judge feedback, share portfolio submission guidelines, or schedule follow-up calls. Build segmented lists so that promising prospects receive tailored outreach.

Centralized QR management and data integration make this sustainable at scale. When codes, scans, and destinations are managed in one place, your team can monitor performance, run A/B tests, and adapt content quickly as programs evolve.

Step-by-Step QR Campaign Execution Checklist

Successful QR initiatives in art schools start with a clear objective and a thoughtful rollout plan. The steps below outline how to go from concept to measurable impact while keeping the student and visitor experience smooth.

Begin by identifying the analog bottlenecks that create friction, such as paper comment cards, manual attendance logs, or long URLs on posters. Then replace those points with QR-enabled actions that are fast, mobile friendly, and trackable. Close the loop with analytics and automated follow-up so that every scan contributes to learning and growth.

Step 1: Choose a Relevant Use Case

Selecting the right use case ensures your QR campaign supports a concrete outcome. Art schools often prioritize exhibit feedback, event registration, application starts, or classroom participation. Choose one area where bottlenecks are highest, such as under-collected critiques at student showcases or low response rates after campus tours.

• Define the goal: Decide on the primary result you want, such as increasing exhibit survey responses, improving open house RSVPs, or capturing more scholarship inquiries. For events, consider QR code ticketing to streamline entry and data capture.
• Map the audience and context: Clarify who will scan and where. Parents in a gallery need a short, mobile-friendly survey; prospective students at a fair need a fast path to request information or schedule a meeting.

Step 2: Select a QR Code Type

Choosing between static and dynamic QR codes determines how flexible and measurable your campaign will be. Static codes are fine for fixed resources, while dynamic codes support real-time changes and detailed tracking. Review Sona QR’s guide to dynamic vs static best practices.

• Use static for stable content: Gallery maps, studio safety guidelines, or a PDF of the semester calendar can live behind static codes that rarely change.
• Use dynamic for campaigns: Live feedback forms, event registrations, or any destination you may update should use dynamic codes so you can pivot without reprinting and gather analytics.

Step 3: Design and Test Your QR Code

Design and testing influence whether people notice the code, understand the benefit, and complete the action. Visual hierarchy, copy, and scannability all matter in busy environments.

• Brand the code and frame the action: Add your logo, school colors, and a concise call to action such as “Scan to Rate This Exhibit” or “Scan to Start Your Application”.
• Test in real conditions: Check scans on multiple devices and in real lighting scenarios such as dim galleries or bright outdoor fairs. Validate that the destination loads quickly and the next step is clear and short.

Step 4: Deploy on High-Impact Media

Place codes where attention is high and a next step is natural. Prioritize touchpoints where engagement signals are most valuable and where you can attribute outcomes.

• Use high-traffic placements: Exhibit labels, entrance banners, floor decals, brochures, and classroom materials all work well. For recruitment, consider posters at partner high schools or direct mail to interested families. Try prominent QR banners at entry points.
• Right-size and position: Ensure codes are large enough to scan from a comfortable distance and positioned at typical eye level. Pair them with benefit-driven language and directional arrows when needed.

Step 5: Monitor and Optimize

Continuous improvement separates one-off efforts from scalable programs. Use analytics to understand performance and iterate quickly.

• Track scans and completions: Monitor scans by time, event, and placement. Compare completion rates for different form lengths or calls to action to find the sweet spot.
• Refine content and routing: Update dynamic destinations as programs evolve. If scans spike but form completion lags, simplify questions, offer incentives, or introduce save-and-continue options.

A disciplined checklist not only improves immediate results but also creates a repeatable playbook for future exhibitions, admissions cycles, and classroom initiatives. Over time, your team will learn which placements, messages, and formats consistently deliver the best outcomes.

Tracking and Analytics: From Scan to Academic Outcomes

One of the greatest frustrations in creative education is not knowing which interactions actually drive growth in applications, feedback, or event participation. Traditional processes often lack visibility, leaving educators to guess which outreach works. Modern QR analytics address this gap by tying physical scans to digital actions and measurable outcomes.

With the right setup, you can see which exhibit labels generated the most feedback, which open house banners led to tour registrations, and which brochures sparked application starts. This intelligence helps teams invest time and resources where they make the biggest difference.

• Track the full funnel: Record scan counts, conversion rates, form completions, and attendance tied to specific codes. Break down performance by location, time, and device to reveal patterns such as weekend spikes or gallery-specific engagement.
• Attribute outcomes: Connect scan history to completed applications, accepted offers, or event sign-ins. Tie meaningful conversions to the original touchpoint to calculate ROI for print assets, exhibits, or community outreach. For a framework, explore Sona’s multi-touch attribution perspective.
• Sync with your systems: Integrate scan data with your CRM, email platform, or student information system. Trigger reminders, nurture tracks, or counselor alerts as soon as someone scans and opts in.
• Map the student journey: Combine offline scan data with website visits, content engagement, and email activity. Build a holistic view of each prospect’s path from first interest to enrollment or alumni participation.

Technology now makes it possible to surface micro-signals of intent and to act on them. By turning opaque interactions into measurable touchpoints, art schools can design more responsive experiences that respect audience time and deliver better outcomes.

Expanding QR Success in Art Schools: Best Practices

Scaling QR-driven engagement requires more than printing codes. Precision, attribution, and human enablement are the drivers of long-term success. The following practices help teams sustain momentum and learn faster from every campaign.

Assigning distinct QR codes to specific exhibits, classrooms, or campaigns is a foundational move. This allows you to compare performance across placements and uncover insights such as which themes inspire the most feedback or which classrooms see the highest participation when resources are linked.

• Use unique codes per placement: Generate separate codes for each poster, label, or brochure. This makes attribution precise and informs future design and media choices. Sona QR’s QR brochures can help you structure print journeys.
• Add UTM parameters: Append UTMs to each destination link to capture source and medium in your analytics. This enables consistent reporting across print and digital channels.
• Enable your front line: Train faculty, docents, and student ambassadors to point out QR codes and explain the value of scanning. Prompts like “Help us improve this exhibit, scan to share your thoughts” raise engagement.
• Automate follow-through: Launch post-scan actions such as thank-you emails, resource links, or invitations to the next exhibit. Every scan should advance the relationship in a meaningful way.
• Prioritize high-impact assets: Focus on placements that reach motivated audiences such as scholarship posters, portfolio day score sheets, or event entry banners where intent is already strong.
• Apply to review workflows: Implement QR codes on portfolio review sheets to capture judge feedback digitally, trigger alumni outreach, and consolidate results. This replaces patchwork processes with a streamlined, trackable system.

By combining clear attribution, staff enablement, and thoughtful follow-up, your QR program will evolve from a helpful tool into an integrated growth system for academic and community outcomes.

Real-World Examples and Creative Inspiration in Art Schools

QR codes invite creative deployment, which makes them a natural fit for art schools. The most effective executions pair strong design with a clear next step and a tight feedback loop that informs future decisions.

• Exhibition labels with feedback links: An urban art school adds QR codes to labels at its senior show. Visitors scan to rate pieces and leave comments, and admissions later segments interested visitors for targeted outreach. Try QR labels that route to short forms.
• Alumni storytelling in print: A graphic design program prints QR codes next to alumni spotlights in brochures. Scanners watch short video testimonials and can request program details, while the team captures segmented engagement data for tailored follow-up.
• Portfolio day with instant scoring: QR-enabled flyers guide industry judges to score student work in real time. High-scoring students automatically receive an email with career resources and an invitation to connect on LinkedIn or attend an alumni panel. Use QR flyers for fast setup.
• Scholarship interest tracking: High school visit packets include a scholarship QR that routes to current financial aid details and a short inquiry form. Interested students opt in for deadline reminders, turning anonymous event attendance into a trackable prospect pool.

These examples share a common thread: they reduce friction, capture intent at the moment it forms, and kick off a thoughtful journey with content that feels aligned to the action taken.

Expert Tips and Common Pitfalls for QR Codes in Art Schools

Strong scan rates come from a blend of smart placement, clear instructions, and reliable delivery. Conversely, vague prompts, cluttered designs, or outdated links can undermine even the most creative campaign.

• Maximize visibility and clarity: Place codes at eye level, keep a generous quiet zone, and use plain language calls to action such as “Scan to Rate This Showcase” or “Scan to Get Scholarship Info”.
• Avoid generic instructions: Benefits drive behavior. A specific promise such as “Scan for a 2-minute tour survey” sets expectations and encourages completion.
• Educate your team: Ensure staff and students know where codes are, how to demonstrate scanning, and what value scanners receive. Prepare quick troubleshooting tips for low-light environments or weak Wi-Fi.
• Review analytics and iterate: Check performance weekly during peak periods. Identify underperforming placements and test new CTAs, sizes, or destinations to improve outcomes.
• Keep links current: Dynamic QR codes help prevent the frustration of outdated destinations. Review landing pages and forms routinely to ensure accuracy and accessibility. See ideas tailored to creatives in this overview of QR codes for artists.
• Test in context: Scan at the actual deployment site. Validate size, contrast, and loading speed for the devices your audience is likely to use, which closes a common loop of technical failures or missed opportunities.

QR codes are reshaping how art schools capture feedback, streamline events, and nurture relationships. When anonymous traffic and missed prospects are addressed through strategic QR deployments, schools unlock instant feedback mechanisms, richer student and parent journeys, and actionable data for program and marketing optimization.

By intentionally transforming analog workflows into dynamic, data-driven engagement channels, art schools can finally reduce lost opportunities, untracked leads, and inconsistent outreach. Integrated QR solutions position your team to connect every prospective student, educator, and visitor in ways that are both creative and accountable, setting a new standard for meaningful, measurable engagement in higher education. Start creating QR codes for free: Start creating QR codes for free.

Conclusion

QR codes have revolutionized art schools by transforming traditional feedback collection into an interactive, real-time engagement tool. Whether it’s gathering detailed student insights, enhancing instructor-student communication, or streamlining curriculum improvements, QR codes replace cumbersome paper surveys with instant, mobile-friendly responses that empower educators to make data-driven decisions. Imagine knowing exactly which projects resonate most with students and adapting your teaching methods on the spot to maximize learning outcomes.

With Sona QR, art schools can create dynamic, trackable QR codes in seconds, update feedback forms instantly without reprinting materials, and connect every scan to actionable insights that improve the educational experience. No missed feedback, no guesswork—just smarter, more responsive art education.

Start for free with Sona QR today and transform every scan into meaningful feedback that drives artistic growth and student success.

FAQ

What are some effective ways to market art schools using QR codes?

Art schools can market themselves by placing QR codes on gallery labels, brochures, campus signage, event programs, posters, and digital signage to capture feedback, drive prospective students to landing pages, streamline administrative tasks, and provide interactive experiences.

How do QR codes enhance the experience at art schools?

QR codes enhance the art school experience by enabling instant feedback collection, providing easy access to digital resources, simplifying event check-in, facilitating real-time engagement with exhibits, and connecting physical interactions to measurable digital follow-up.

What benefits do QR codes provide in art education?

QR codes improve response rates, reduce manual data entry, enable real-time feedback, increase engagement, allow dynamic content updates without reprinting, track visitor interactions for better follow-up, and help convert anonymous interest into actionable leads.

How can art schools use QR codes to collect feedback effectively?

Art schools can replace paper surveys with QR codes linked to short digital forms placed at exhibits, event entrances, or classrooms, use clear calls to action, track scan and completion rates, and iterate content based on analytics to gather timely and candid feedback.

What QR code formats are commonly used in art schools?

Common QR code formats include web links to surveys or registration pages, vCards for saving contact details, SMS or email for quick inquiries, Wi-Fi access for visitor connectivity, and app download links for digital guides or exhibit companions.

How do art schools integrate QR codes into their marketing mix?

They integrate QR codes across print collateral, social media campaigns, direct mail, event signage, admissions fairs, and portfolio reviews, linking physical touchpoints with digital destinations and measurement plans to create cohesive, traceable audience journeys.

What are some best practices for deploying QR codes in art schools?

Best practices include assigning unique QR codes per placement, using dynamic codes for flexible content updates, branding codes with logos and calls to action, positioning codes at eye level, educating staff to encourage scanning, and regularly reviewing analytics to optimize performance.

How can QR codes help art schools build high-value audiences for retargeting?

QR codes enable segmentation by touchpoint, action, and context, feeding scan data into CRM and marketing platforms to trigger personalized follow-ups, nurture leads, create remarketing audiences, and improve conversion rates through targeted outreach.

What steps should art schools follow to execute a successful QR code campaign?

They should identify friction points, choose relevant use cases, select static or dynamic QR codes, design codes with clear calls to action, deploy codes in high-impact locations, monitor scan and completion data, and optimize content and placements based on analytics.

How do QR codes improve tracking and analytics for art schools?

QR codes connect physical interactions to digital actions, allowing schools to track scan counts, conversion rates, and form completions, attribute outcomes to specific campaigns, integrate data with CRM systems, and map student journeys from initial interest to enrollment.

How do QR codes address challenges faced by art schools in engaging prospects and collecting feedback?

QR codes convert passive physical interactions into measurable digital engagement, reduce barriers to participation by eliminating app downloads or complex URLs, capture anonymous visitor data for follow-up, and streamline feedback collection for timely insights.

What innovative uses of QR codes have art schools implemented?

Innovative uses include QR codes on exhibition labels for visitor ratings, alumni brochures with video testimonials, portfolio day flyers for instant judging scores, and scholarship inquiry packets to track financial aid interest and deadlines.