NASFAA’s Annual Conference Will Be Held June 26-29 in Austin, TX
 

AUSTIN, TX, MAY 26, 2022 — In financial aid, professionals are always on the lookout for an opportunity to learn and improve. Next month, hundreds of financial aid practitioners, researchers, and thought leaders from across the United States will gather in Austin, Texas for an invaluable professional development opportunity that will arm them with the knowledge and skills to best assist college students and families when they need it most.

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ (NASFAA) 2022 National Conference will host more than 1,400 of practicing financial aid administrators as they teach, learn, network, and share valuable information on student aid programs. Attendees will also have the opportunity to hear from the U.S. Department of Education’s top higher education policymakers, Under Secretary James Kvaal and Federal Student Aid Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray.

On Monday afternoon, Kvaal will sit down with NASFAA President & CEO Justin Draeger to discuss the administration's higher education priorities and hear from financial aid administrators about their top concerns as we continue to transition out of the pandemic. Topics will include student loan forgiveness and repayment, forthcoming regulations, institutional quality and gainful employment, college affordability, and more.

Then, on Tuesday morning, Cordray will deliver a keynote address on initiatives related to the federal student aid programs, including enhancements to key systems used by financial aid professionals, ahead of a federal update from Department of Education officials about federal student aid activities and initiatives, including information about the department’s regulatory efforts, major operational updates, and reminders.

In the final session capping off the conference Wednesday morning, Draeger and NASFAA Vice President of Public Policy and Federal Relations Karen McCarthy will identify and discuss the big questions college leaders, lawmakers, and the public will be debating in the coming years and that will largely affect the future of student aid.

Some other conference sessions that may be of interest to the media include:

• Pre-Conference Session: Diversity Matters (Sunday, June 26, 2022: 2:00 PM-3:30 PM)
• Opening Session With Keynote Speaker David Epstein (Sunday, June 26, 2022: 4:00 PM-5:30 PM)
• Upcoming Regulations: What’s Happening and When (Monday, June 27, 2022: 8:30 AM-9:30 AM)
• The Student Loan Servicing System Borrowers Need (Monday, June 27, 2022: 9:45 AM-10:45 AM)
• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Ensuring Student Success by Promoting Educational Excellence (Tuesday, June 28, 2022: 11:15 AM-12:15 PM)
• FAFSA Simplification Implementation: How It's Going and How Schools are Involved (Tuesday, June 28, 2022: 11:15 AM-12:15 PM)
• The Bias in Funding Higher Education: How Obstacles Impact Students and What You Can Do (Tuesday, June 28, 2022: 11:15 AM-12:15 PM)
• Affordability and Today’s Middle-Income Families (Tuesday, June 28, 2022: 4:00 PM-5:00 PM)

The full conference schedule can be found online. To request a complimentary media registration, or an interview with a NASFAA spokesperson during the conference, please email Managing Editor Allie Arcese at [email protected].

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) provides professional development for financial aid administrators; 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. NASFAA’s membership includes 32,000 student financial assistance professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the U.S.