The emphasis in the CAP should be on policy, not procedures. The formal guidance needed to coordinate and execute activity throughout the institution. When effectively deployed, policy statements help focus attention and resources on high priority issues - aligning and merging efforts to achieve the institutional vision.
Policy provides the operational framework within which the institution functions.
The operational processes required to implement institutional policy. Operating practices can be formal or informal, specific to a department or applicable across the entire institution. The distinctions commonly drawn between policy and procedures can be subtle, depending upon the nature of the organization and the level of operations being described in the statements. The Financial Aid Office is responsible for the administration and resource coordination of the university's student financial aid program which covers all scholarships, loans, grants, fellowships, assistantships, student stipends, and work-study. A standard application called the Student Aid Application for California is required for most of the financial aid programs.