Awardees Exemplify Excellence in Serving Students and the Financial Aid Profession

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allie Arcese
Sr. Director, Strategic Communications
(202) 785-6954
[email protected]

NATIONAL HARBOR, MD, JULY 2, 2026 – Each year, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) presents awards to deserving members of the financial aid profession and higher education community. These awards are reviewed and selected annually by NASFAA’s Awards Committee and ratified by the Board of Directors. They are presented each year at the National Conference, with more than 2,400 student aid professionals from across the country in attendance.

The Lifetime Achievement Award is the highest award NASFAA can bestow on a member or an individual affiliated with a member organization. The achievements and contributions of the individual must truly be outstanding and significant. Normally, the individual will have made these contributions and achievements over a sustained period of time. This award is not typically given for a one-time achievement or effort, but rather for sustained work over time for the Association and the profession in important capacities, and for contributing significantly to NASFAA's success in meeting its goals. The 2026 award was given to:

• Rachelle Feldman, Interim Vice President of Enrollment at the University of Miami. 
  Feldman has dedicated over 25 years to advancing the financial aid profession, exemplifying the sustained service, leadership, and professional excellence recognized by the Lifetime Achievement Award. Throughout her career, she has served in numerous institutional and national roles, contributing to policy development, professional guidance, and organizational leadership that have shaped practice across the field. Her volunteer service is extensive and ongoing, including leadership on national boards, committees, and task forces. She has played a pivotal role in major initiatives such as FAFSA simplification, program integrity, federal policy implementation, and negotiated rulemaking, influencing financial aid practice nationwide. She is also widely recognized for her mentorship and leadership development, particularly through founding the University of California Financial Aid Leadership Institute (UCFALI), which has strengthened the UC system’s capacity to grow and retain financial aid leaders. She has served as faculty and instructor in leadership programs, fostering professional growth for countless colleagues and emerging professionals. Among her many contributions, Feldman’s April 2024 testimony before Congress on FAFSA simplification exemplified her advocacy for both students and financial aid professionals, earning widespread acclaim across the community for its clarity, honesty, and insight. Throughout her career, she has been a tireless advocate for the profession, her staff, and the students' financial aid services.

The Allan W. Purdy Distinguished Service Award, one of the highest awards that NASFAA bestows, may be awarded either for significant contributions in the furtherance of NASFAA’s goals over a sustained period of time or for a single contribution of momentous importance. The 2026 award was given to: 

• Heidi Carl, Assistant Vice Provost and Executive Director of the Division of Financial Aid at Purdue University, and NASFAA’s 2025-26 National Chair.
  With nearly three decades of experience in financial aid, admissions, and enrollment management, Carl has held numerous elected and volunteer positions at the state, regional, and national levels, including past president of the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) and ISFAA (Indiana). She earned her bachelor’s degree in communications and her master’s degree in higher education administration from Western Michigan University, and has served on NASFAA's Board of Directors as the MASFAA regional representative and as Chair of the Career Path Awareness for Financial Aid Administrators Thought Force. She is deeply committed to advancing the profession, elevating recognition for financial aid professionals, and supporting training for the next generation of leaders in higher education financial aid.

The Meritorious Achievement Award is presented to an individual who has made either an important single contribution to NASFAA or the profession or multiple significant contributions. The 2026 award was given to:

• Shannon Crossland, Associate Vice President of Compliance and Director of Student Financial Services, Frank Phillips College. 
  Crossland has dedicated over 20 years to advancing the financial aid profession through leadership, mentorship, and service at the state, regional, and national levels. As associate vice president of compliance and director of student financial services at Frank Phillips College, she has guided institutions in regulatory compliance and strengthened professional training frameworks. Shannon has served on numerous boards and committees, championed NASFAA’s Certified Financial Aid Administrator Program^®, and empowered countless colleagues to lead with integrity and confidence. Her sustained impact on the profession, commitment to mentoring, and leadership in advancing excellence make her highly deserving of this award.

The Robert P. Huff Golden Quill Award is presented each year to an individual or organization chosen for their contributions to the literature on student financial aid. Published works must exemplify the highest quality of research methodology, analysis, or topical writing on the subject of student financial aid or its administration. In 2026, the award was given to:

• Peter Granville, Fellow, The Century Foundation.
  Granville is recognized for his report, “A Better Hundred Billion: Improving State and Institutional College Financial Aid” (The Century Foundation, 2025), which provides a rigorous analysis of state and institutional grant aid distribution relative to financial need and institutional selectivity. The report highlights patterns of aid awarded in excess of need, identifies affordability gaps, and offers practical, policy-relevant guidance for practitioners, state agencies, and institutional leaders. His work exemplifies excellence in financial aid scholarship with a clear impact on policy and practice.

NASFAA's Gold Star Award recognizes innovative ideas in the financial aid arena at any level, targeted toward any constituency. This award is open to individuals working at NASFAA member institutions, regional associations, and state associations. In 2026, the award was presented to: 

• PacFAA’s Annual Pacific Island Financial Aid Training
  The Pacific Island Training Initiative was established by the Pacific Financial Aid Association (PacFAA) to address the critical need for institutional support in the Pacific Island region (Guam, Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas). Triggered by the complexities of the FAFSA simplification process in 2024, the initiative provides on-site, personalized expertise to financial aid administrators navigating sweeping federal policy changes. The program ensures that regional institutions — regardless of formal membership — have the tools necessary to administer Title IV aid effectively.

• Wow Wednesday Podcast (San Jacinto College)
  Wow Wednesday is a new financial aid podcast introduced to support communication, consistency, and connection across San Jacinto College’s campuses. Designed to keep staff informed and engaged, the podcast provides timely updates on new and existing policies and procedures, helping ensure aligned practices districtwide. In addition to professional content, the podcast also highlights personal milestones and positive news — such as birthdays, anniversaries, graduations, and peer shoutouts — to foster a sense of community and shared celebration.

The association also presented six Regional Leadership Awards to recipients who have exhibited high integrity and character, have shown creative leadership, and have inspired and encouraged others to actively participate in professional development. One award was given in each of six regions to:

• EASFAA – Shawn Morrissey, Director of College Relations, Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority
• MASFAA – Keri Gilbert, FAAC^®, Associate Vice President of Financial Aid Analytics and Compliance, Stephens College
• RMASFAA – James Broscheit, Director of Financial Aid, Montana State University
• SASFAA – William “Bill” Spiers, FAAC^®, Director of Financial Aid (Retired), Tallahassee State College
• SWASFAA – Audra Main, FAAC^®, Financial Aid Director, Moore Norman Technology Center
• WASFAA – Dewayne Barnes, Product Manager, Workday

To request an interview with a NASFAA spokesperson, please email [email protected] or call (202) 785-6954.

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About NASFAA 

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 29,000 financial aid 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. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.