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ELM Resources. From our family to yours, we send a warm Happy Holidays greeting your way! And, ELM's Season of Thanks continues this month with a celebration of our recent survey results. We are so honored and proud of the trust you place in us each day. Your needs are our focus. Contact us to learn more about how we can help you. Visit www.elmresources.com or contact us at [email protected].

Some tuition-free college programs, commonly referred to as college promise programs, are closely associated with an increase in enrollment, particularly among Black and Hispanic students, according to a new study. With the programs growing in popularity across the country, researchers analyzed 33 college promise programs at 32 different two-year colleges to study the effects on enrollment of first-time, full-time college students.

The months-long slog of back and forth negotiations for additional coronavirus relief aid between House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and Treasury Secretary Steve Mnuchin, while still narrowing, will not come to fruition, if they do at all, until after election day. The Senate, having confirmed Justice Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court late on Monday evening, does not have its next vote scheduled until November 9 — which means the chamber is effectively on recess until after the election. So, even if the White House and Democrats arrive at an agreed-upon aid deal, its consideration would not happen for at least two weeks.

Every year, NASFAA recognizes outstanding members and other higher education stakeholders for their achievements and contributions to financial aid, students, and/or NASFAA. Nominate your colleagues for awards such as the Gold Star Award, the Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award, and the Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award, among others. Award winners will be announced this summer at the NASFAA 2021 national conference in National Harbor, Maryland. Nominations are due Feb. 15, 2021 — submit yours today!

A member favorite, NASFAA U’s Fundamentals of Student Financial Aid online course is returning for the fall season. This four-week, interactive online course begins November 9. NASFAA U instructors will provide focused lessons on the fundamentals of financial aid, including applying, financial aid concepts, categories and types of financial aid, the Title IV aid programs, other federal sources of student assistance, and comparing financial aid offers. This course is the perfect learning tool for new financial aid professionals, admissions or enrollment representatives, and high school counselors. Upon passing the course, you will receive a NASFAA U Certificate. This popular course will fill up quickly. Register now to reserve your seat.

The Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission — an independent certifying body of NASFAA — certified an additional 17 financial aid administrators during the most recent testing window. There are now a total of 212 financial aid professionals who have earned the FAAC® designation. The FAAC® designation recognizes the knowledge, experience, and dedication to ethical behavior that are the hallmarks of the financial aid profession. View the registry page, which includes a report sorted by region and state. Also check out the national map to see how your region and state compares! If you're interested in getting certified, verify your eligibility using our free interactive tool.

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