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This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Megan, and Allie dig into NASFAA's recent research consumer testing the College Financing Plan, and give a sneak peek of what to expect for our live recording in Orlando. Plus, Allie gives an overview of two student loan-focused hearings that happened in the House this week, while Megan shares some insights from recent research showing the steady returning value of a college degree. The team also shares some highlights from NASFAA's 2020 Presidential Cheat Sheet and what's coming down the pike with the presidential election. Plus, Justin ponders what exactly would make sweatpants cost $1,000.

NASFAA now offers topic-focused credentials and general certification as a Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA) to help you demonstrate the specialized knowledge you've gained through training and experience. At the NASFAA National Conference, join us in the Learning Lounge on June 26 at 11:50 a.m. to learn more about these programs and explore what the future could hold for you.

NASFAA and its Board of Directors aim to support regional and state financial aid associations in promoting diversity and inclusion efforts, and in developing future leaders. This charge stems directly from NASFAA's mission, which states the association is "committed to diversity throughout all activities," and NASFAA's diversity and inclusion statement. Learn more about NASFAA's Diversity Toolkit, created last summer, which contains resources on topics including why diversity and inclusion matter, how to set appropriate diversity goals for your membership, ways to create an effective diversity mentorship program, and resources for counseling diverse student populations.

Please join us in congratulating Carrie Short, who will start a new position as the director of financial services at Lorain County Community College, Theodore Malone, who was awarded the Lifetime Membership Award by WASFAA at the 50th WASFAA Conference in June, and Ashley Richardson, who was promoted from financial aid advisor to assistant director of financial aid at St. Louis College of Health Careers. Learn more about other colleagues' accomplishments, recognitions, and achievements, and submit your own, on our Movers and Shakers page.

Federal Student Aid is pleased to announce the posting of the draft Application Processing System Specifications for Software Developers for the 2020-2021 cycle.

In October 2015, the Institute for Community Inclusion (ICI), UMass Boston received a five-year cooperative agreement from the Office of Postsecondary Education to serve as the National Coordinating Center (NCC) for colleges and universities implementing inclusive higher education programs for students with intellectual disabilities, including 25 newly-funded model demonstration projects aimed at creating inclusive comprehensive transition and postsecondary programs for students with intellectual disabilities known as Transition and Postsecondary Programs for Students with Intellectual Disabilities (TPSIDs).

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