FACTS SIS vs Populi Financial Aid
FACTS SIS
factsmgt.com
Populi Financial Aid
populiweb.comSide by side
| Figure | FACTS SIS | Populi Financial Aid |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | $1,999/mo |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| Windows | — | Yes |
| macOS | — | Yes |
| Linux | — | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | — |
| Android | Yes | — |
| API | Yes | — |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Student Information Systems | 7.5 (#18) | 7.9 (#7) |
| Headquarters | Lincoln, Nebraska, United States | Moscow, Idaho, United States |
| Integrations | FACTS says its SIS connects with third-party applications through APIs and secure data exchange, and supports single sign-on across the FACTS ecosystem. | Populi lists a Web API, LTI, webhooks, and SSO for connecting school systems; its LMS supports Zoom and BigBlueButton video conferencing. |
| Intended customers | FACTS describes its technology as K-12 SaaS for schools, including independent, Catholic and diocesan, Christian, and other faith-based schools. | Populi describes itself as college management software and says it is focused on small colleges. |
| Purpose | FACTS SIS is a K-12 student information system for managing student, family, and staff records and connecting school workflows. | Populi combines college academics, admissions, financial aid, billing, donations, and reporting in one platform. |
| Security | FACTS says it performs regular network scans, vulnerability scans, and penetration tests, and follows secure coding guidelines. | Populi describes 256-bit SSL-encrypted connections, encrypted backups, firewalls, proactive monitoring, password requirements, user access privileges, timed logouts, and record change logs. |
| Support | School administrators and teachers can contact SIS support by phone Monday through Thursday, 7am–7pm CST, and Friday, 7am–5pm CST; SIS online chat is available after login. | Customer support and training are included; phone support is available Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. |
Plans
In their own words
Populi Financial Aid
Populi Financial Aid is the financial aid feature in Populi, a hosted platform that also combines college academics, admissions, billing, donations, and reporting. Its Aid tools support packaging, disbursing, and reporting without a third-party servicer. The platform connects directly to the Department of Education for SAIG mailbox documents, COD award syncing, and response resolution. FAFSA information feeds student profiles and aid applications, where staff can review error codes, aid counselings, and MPNs. Other tools include Satisfactory Academic Progress reporting, preset disbursement timetables, built-in Pell tables, and batch disbursements. A financial aid API can connect to servicers and bring disbursed awards into student accounts. Populi is hosted and browser-based, needs no local installation, and says it works on Mac, Windows, and Linux computers. Support and training are included, with phone support Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 5 PM Pacific Time. The monthly price includes 2,000 GB of file storage and 200 GB of data transfer; extra amounts are charged separately. The pricing note says from $199/mo, while the listed Populi plan is $1,999 a month.