A new professional development opportunity for financial aid administrators.

June 26, 2018 — The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) announces the new Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) program, a first-in-the-industry effort that validates the skills and knowledge of financial aid professionals at higher education institutions across state, regional, and national levels.

Created in response to increasing demand from NASFAA's members, the CFAA program provides a foundation upon which financial aid administrators can continue to develop their expertise and earn valuable leadership skills necessary for career advancement. “We see this program as a pathway for advancement,” said NASFAA National Chair Billie Jo Hamilton, “providing the clear technical and ethical know-how essential to our profession.”

In launching this voluntary program, NASFAA and its Board of Directors recognize the unique role financial aid administrators play in ensuring that every qualified student has access to a postsecondary education.

“Financial aid administrators are entrusted with protecting the integrity of federal financial aid programs, a vital role in any college or university,” said NASFAA President Justin Draeger. “We seek to bolster the success of aid administrators, and their respective institutions, by offering additional, formally-accredited and recognized training.”

The CFAA program, which will launch during the 2019-20 academic year, is part of NASFAA’s ongoing commitment to helping further the careers of financial aid professionals nationwide. “In 2012 we developed a credentialing program to measure competencies within specific financial aid-related topics,” Draeger explained. “Since then, NASFAA credentials have grown in popularity, with more than 10,000 already conferred— this is the next natural step in our efforts.”

NASFAA currently offers 17 topic-based credentials, as well as professional development and services for financial aid administrators. NASFAA also advocates for public policies that increase student access and success, serves as a forum on student financial aid issues and is committed to diversity throughout all activities.

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 22,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the United States. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. For more information, visit www.nasfaa.org.