Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program
Financial aid administrators play an integral role in an institution’s overall success, and this certification recognizes those professionals who have demonstrated both essential knowledge and experience in the administration of federal student aid programs. The FAAC® designation serves as a valuable benchmark to our community, providing the foundation for continued professional development and career growth. The CFAA Program is designed to help advance and elevate the profession, inspire quality job performance, encourage continuous learning, and promote professional development.
Earning Criteria
Recipients must complete the earning criteria to earn this badge.
Education
Must have earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education or have at least 10 years of financial aid-related work experience.
Experience and Demonstrated Knowledge
Must be current or recent financial aid office employees of eligible institutions, or individuals with sufficient combination of experience and/or demonstrated knowledge related to the administration of Title IV aid at eligible institutions. “Eligible institutions” are institutions of postsecondary education that are eligible for Title IV Federal Student Aid, as identified on the U.S. Department of Education’s Federal School Code List. Candidates must document a sufficient combination of professional experience and/or demonstrated knowledge related to financial aid administration, using the following guidelines:
- Five years or more of professional financial aid experience
- Three years or more of professional financial aid experience and at least 7 NASFAA credentials;
- One year or more of professional financial aid experience and at least 12 NASFAA credentials; or
- Any other combination of experience and demonstrated knowledge deemed sufficient by the Commission, such as part-time or work-study employment in the financial aid office, students in higher education administration seeking a career in financial aid, higher education professionals seeking to move from within another student services area, individuals with a graduate degree in a financial aid-related program, or consultants or retirees with prior financial aid office experience.
All qualifying professional experience must be complete at the time the application is submitted. Applicants are required to upload a current resume as part of the application process.
Professional Conduct
Must agree to adhere to NASFAA’s Code of Conduct and uphold NASFAA’s Statement of Ethical Principles. To qualify, the candidate must not:
- Be in default on a Title IV loan or owe an overpayment of Title IV funds;
- Have been engaged in the misuse of government funds;
- Have been determined to have committed fraud or other legal violation involving government funds;
- Have been suspended or debarred by a federal agency; or
- Have a felony conviction related to the acquisition, use, or expenditure of federal, state, or local government funds.
Assessment
Candidates apply online to demonstrate they meet the eligibility requirements outlined above. If the application is approved, the candidate then must pass the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam, which consists of 115 multiple choice questions and is administered online.
The knowledge exam assesses knowledge of twelve competency areas:
Institutional Eligibility, Data Management, Administrative Capability, Consumer Information, Cash Management, Student Eligibility, Cost of Attendance and Need Analysis, Packaging and Aid Notification, Verification, Return of Title IV Funds, Satisfactory Academic Progress, and Professional Judgment.
Upon passing the knowledge exam, the FAAC® designation is conferred. To remain active, a certified individual must accumulate at least 60 recertification points (RPs) within the three year certification period. RPs are earned through completing financial aid-related continuing education, qualifying leadership, instruction, authorship, advocacy, and other activities contributing to the profession.
