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This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by Jon Fansmith, the American Council on Education's senior vice president of government relations, to discuss this week's news that institutions and states will begin receiving Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) in the "first half of March." The team breaks down the announcement from the Department of Education, answers frequently asked questions, and shares NASFAA's efforts to advocate for financial aid offices.

A group of Senate Republicans led by Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee, have launched a website for students, guidance counselors, college admissions faculty, financial aid administrators and others, to report issues they are experiencing with the 2024-25 FAFSA application.

On Tuesday, House Democrats put forth a package of bills dubbed the “Roadmap to College Student Success” that incorporates six pieces of legislation seeking to address issues in higher education, with a particular focus on affordability, access and student support.

Higher Learning Advocates recently published the results of a survey of NASFAA members that it conducted early last year on using FAFSA data to help students better access means-tested benefits. The survey showed just over one-quarter of respondents noted their IHE is currently conducting direct outreach to students about any federal benefit programs with or without using FAFSA data, and an additional 18% have plans to do so. Read the full survey brief.

NASFAA seeks to hire a part-time Event Logistics Administrative Assistant for a 7-month, grant-funded position. The position will be staffed from January through July 2024, with fluctuating weekly hours based on cadence of work. The Event Logistics Administrative Assistant will support the NASFAA team in planning and producing an in-person conference event focused on higher education in prison. Learn more about the position and apply online.

Significant changes to the Pell Grant eligibility criteria and Federal Methodology (FM) formula are on the horizon, including a new name for the Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which has become the Student Aid Index (SAI). Join NASFAA's Jackie Cottom on February 21, at 2 p.m. ET, for a deep dive into the new SAI. Reserve your seat today!

Please join us in congratulating Haley Lindsey, FAAC®, formerly the director of financial aid at Pratt Community College, who is now the director of financial aid at Missouri Western State University, and Thomas Ratliff, formerly the director of student financial services at Abilene Christian University, who is now the associate vice president for student financial services at Hardin-Simmons University. Celebrate your own career developments by completing the "Movers and Shakers" form to share the news with your colleagues.

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