Committees
Our committees report to the National Chair through a Commission Director and are established to help the Association meet its organizational goals. Through committees, recommendations on positions and activities are made to the Board of Directors. All committee activities are subject to approval by the National Chair, Board of Directors, or President.
NASFAA’s committee structure can vary year-to-year. Most committees are organized under commissions with each committee Chair coordinating the committee's work with the appropriate Commission Director and staff liaison. In turn, the Commission Director provides direction to the committees and reports to the National Chair, President, and Board of Directors. On occasion, issues or needs may arise that do not fall within the jurisdiction of established standing committee. In such cases, the National Chair will usually appoint a special task force to address the specific issue. The task force Chair and members are expected to adhere to all guidelines established for committee Chairs and members.
2012-13 Committee Organization Chart
In general, the standing committees are:
- Access and Diversity: Considers the state and condition of student access for low-income families and underserved student populations, and/or examines ways to enhance the diversity of the student aid profession.
- Association Governance and Membership: Reviews governing documents and policies and procedures of the association, develops long-term recommendations regarding NASFAA's mission and service to members, and develops and monitors the Association's strategic long-range plan.
- Awards: Considers worthy candidates for NASFAA awards and ensures consistent application of the selection criteria.
- Editorial Board, Journal of Student Financial Aid: Solicits, edits, and makes decisions about the publication of articles for the Journal, NASFAA’s peer-reviewed research publication.
- Publications Editorial Board: Makes recommendations about the publication of articles for the Perspectives article series, NASFAA books, and other editorial projects.
- Federal Issues: Contributes to the association's position on public policy issues and specific statutory or regulatory changes in the federal student assistance programs and their delivery systems.
- Financial Affairs: Oversees NASFAA's fiscal affairs and is usually composed of members of the Board of Directors.
- Graduate and Professional Issues: Educates, informs, and advances discussion of legislative and organizational efforts involving issues of graduate and professional schools.
- Leadership Development and Professional Advancement: Fosters the development and coordination of leadership training among financial aid professionals and assists in developing and coordinating the annual Leadership Conference.
- National Conference: Plans NASFAA's National Conference and makes recommendations on conference program, vendors, activities, promotions, and marketing materials.
- Nominations and Elections: Responsible for perpetuating the association’s leadership roster and preparing the annual slate of candidates. Members are elected from each region rather than appointed by the National Chair. If you are interested in this committee, please discuss your options with your current regional president.
- Research: Promotes and facilitates student aid research and data relevant to student aid practitioners. Identifies opportunities for aid administrators interested in conducting research.
- Technology Initiatives: Monitors trends in information technology to ensure that the interests of NASFAA members are represented in postsecondary educational technology standards; works on IT related projects which address NASFAA’s mission and goals; provides feedback on technology issues to the board and staff.
- Training and Professional Development: Fosters the development and coordination of comprehensive training activities at the state, regional and national levels.