Join the Peer Review Team

Does this sound like you?

After spending many years in an institutional financial aid office, you've had the opportunity to reorganize departments, develop new procedures, and successfully handle countless unexpected emergencies in your operations. It's been a long and arduous path, but rewarding – you've helped thousands of students reach their higher education goals.

As someone with years of experience, you know where to go for information and answers. You enjoy sharing your financial aid knowledge and have volunteered as a trainer for workshops and as a presenter for conferences. Most importantly, you consider yourself an expert in the Title IV programs, and your own financial aid office is currently in good standing with the laws and regulations as put forth by Congress and the Department of Education.

If you just read a description of yourself, then it's time to consider joining NASFAA's team of peer reviewers for the Standards of Excellence Review Program.

NASFAA's Standards of Excellence Review Program accepts applications for peer reviewers throughout the year. Peer reviewers are selected and trained in accordance with NASFAA's policies, as described below.

As a peer reviewer, you will work as part of a team of two to four reviewers and travel across the country to institutions similar to your own. For instance, if most of your work experience has been with 2-year public schools, you will be assigned to review other 2-year public schools. As part of the peer review team, you may conduct one-on-one interviews, lead focus groups, or review student files and other documentation. The team leader organizes the working papers and documents the results of the peer review. The final report is then written by NASFAA's technical staff.

You will have the opportunity to share your knowledge with colleagues who are less experienced or who are taking over complex situations that are in need of repair. At the same time, you will learn a great deal that you can bring back to your own office. It's a rewarding position for experienced professionals because it allows you to continue building on your years of dedicated service.

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

• Peer reviewers receive a stipend for each scheduled date of a review.
• Travel, hotel, and meal expenses are reimbursed in accordance with NASFAA's travel policy.
• If needed, peer reviewers may be assigned to between three and six reviews per year.
• Since reviews take place during the week, peer reviewers must take time off from work. Some weekend travel and work assignments may also be required.
• The average review is four days, but may be as short as two days or as long as five. With travel time, peer reviewers could be out of the office and away from home for a full week.
• Because peer reviewers sign a letter of agreement with NASFAA, it is recommended that you have permission from your institution and/or immediate supervisor to represent yourself as a financial aid expert in the field.

NASFAA Policies for Standards of Excellence Peer Reviewers

A. Peer Reviewer Qualifications

• You must currently be employed as a practicing financial aid administrator at a member postsecondary institution.
• You must have at least eight (8) years of experience in financial aid.
• You must be up-to-date on current regulations.
• You must be willing to take direction.
• You must be an innovator.

B. Selection Process

• Applications are reviewed as they are received.
• Additional information may be requested upon review of the application.
• To apply, submit a detailed resume of your work experience and two professional references via email to excellence@nasfaa.org or fax to 202-785-1487.

C. Required Training

• As a peer reviewer, you will be required to attend peer review training via conference call and/or in person instruction.
• As a peer reviewer, you will be required to read and familiarize yourself with the Peer Review Manual.

Next Step- The Application

Submit a detailed resume of your work experience and two professional references via email to Excellence@NASFAA.org or fax to 202-785-1487.

Please direct all questions about SOE to Susan Luhman, program coordinator, at Excellence@NASFAA.org or (202) 785-6972.