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Head-to-head · Higher Education Software

Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid vs openSIS

  • Updated Sep 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 1 check side by side
Higher score Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid #6 in Higher Education Software 6.9/10 Pricing on request ✓ 0 of 4 features Visit Ellucian
openSIS #8 in Higher Education Software 6.7/10 Free plan · paid from $4/mo (annual) · 15-day trial Free plan✓ 0 of 4 features Visit openSIS

Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid leads on 0 checks, openSIS on 1, and 0 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 1 yes/no, price and count check where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreEllucian PowerCampus Financial Aid · 6.9/10
  • Free planonly openSIS

Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid scores higher on our rubric for higher education software: 6.9 against 6.7 out of 10; our editors rank them #6 and #8.

openSIS offers free plan; Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid doesn't publish it.

Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid is the better fit for institutions managing complex financial-aid packaging. openSIS is the better fit for budget-conscious institutions needing core SIS functions.

  • Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid fits best

    Institutions managing complex financial-aid packaging

  • openSIS fits best

    Budget-conscious institutions needing core SIS functions

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. We may earn a commission when you click some links. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid 6.9/10 Visit ↗ openSIS 6.7/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 6.9 6.7
Ranking #6 in Higher Education Software #8 in Higher Education Software
Best for Institutions managing complex financial-aid packaging Budget-conscious institutions needing core SIS functions
Pricing model Paid Free plan + paid
Starting price Not published $4/mo
Free plan Not published ✓ (best)
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud Cloud, Mobile
Platforms Web Web, iOS, Android
Support Docs Email, Phone, Tickets, Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 16 integrations
Built for Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid 0/4 · openSIS 0/4
Student information system Not published Not published
Academic management Not published Not published
Admissions tools Not published Not published
Financial aid Not published Not published
Specs
Deployment Cloud Not published
Mobile access Not published Not published
Our review
Pros
  • Supports individual and batch aid packaging with configurable workflows.
  • Covers FAFSA processing, need analysis, federal data and disbursement.
  • Generates award letters and customized financial-aid reports.
  • Core Startup covers records, scheduling, attendance, grading, and portals.
  • Essential adds unlimited schools and student records plus billing and fees.
  • Advanced includes admissions, degree audit, LMS links, API access, and SSO.
Cons
  • Pricing is available through a contact-sales model.
  • Student self-service is provided through the companion Net Partner portal.
  • The listed support channel is documentation.
  • Core Startup is limited to 50 students and 100 parent accounts.
  • Advanced features such as degree audit and SSO require a higher tier.
  • Enterprise pricing and scope are not presented as fixed per-staff rates.
Our verdict

Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid handles financial-aid processing for colleges and universities, with particular relevance to small and mid-sized institutions. Its scope runs from application tracking and FAFSA-related processing through…

Read the review →

openSIS is a cloud-based student information system for K–12 schools, colleges, training programs, and virtual education providers. It brings student records, admissions, scheduling, attendance, grading, billing, communications, reporting,…

Read the review →
  1. Ellucian PowerCampus Financial AidHigher Education Software 6.9Pricing on request
  2. openSISHigher Education Software 6.7Free plan · paid from $4/mo (annual) · 15-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid — where it wins

    • Supports individual and batch aid packaging with configurable workflows.
    • Covers FAFSA processing, need analysis, federal data and disbursement.
    • Generates award letters and customized financial-aid reports.

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing is available through a contact-sales model.
    • Student self-service is provided through the companion Net Partner portal.
    • The listed support channel is documentation.
  • openSIS — where it wins

    • Core Startup covers records, scheduling, attendance, grading, and portals.
    • Essential adds unlimited schools and student records plus billing and fees.
    • Advanced includes admissions, degree audit, LMS links, API access, and SSO.

    Where it doesn't

    • Core Startup is limited to 50 students and 100 parent accounts.
    • Advanced features such as degree audit and SSO require a higher tier.
    • Enterprise pricing and scope are not presented as fixed per-staff rates.
  • Ellucian PowerCampus Financial Aid6.9/10 · Pricing on request

    A financial-aid system for tracking applications, analyzing need, packaging awards and processing funds.

    Visit EllucianFull verdict →
  • openSIS6.7/10 · Free plan · paid from $4/mo (annual) · 15-day trial

    A staff-priced SIS spanning records, academics, admissions, billing, and portals.

    Visit openSISFull verdict →

More comparisons

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Sep 2026

Last updated · How we research and update