Federal Pell Grant Program
NASFAA’s Professional Credentials provide financial aid administrators and professionals in related fields the opportunity to earn tangible recognition for mastery of content pertaining to federal Title IV aid administration. To earn this credential, candidates need to know the eligibility requirements, the calculation process, and the principles for determining eligibility. Candidates also need to know the five regulatory formulas and additional considerations that impact a student’s Federal Pell Grant amount, such as reduced academic years, crossover payment periods, summer sessions, transfer students, and grant recalculations. Holding this credential demonstrates the ability to accurately and appropriately award these funds to eligible students, thereby ensuring the equitable distribution of federal financial aid funding.
Earning Criteria
Recipients must complete the earning criteria to earn this badge.
General Requirements
Financial aid professionals can qualify to sit for a test in at least one of the following ways:
- Complete an independent study on specific topics using a Self-Study Guide
- Take an instructor-led NASFAA U Online Course
- Demonstrate five or more years of well-rounded professional experience
- Attend a NASFAA U Authorized Event that uses the approved NASFAA curriculum
Assessment
The range of topics in this test include:
- General Concepts of the Federal Pell Grant Program
- Selecting the Appropriate Formula: Term-Based Programs
- Selecting the Appropriate Formula: Clock-Hour and Nonterm Credit-Hour Programs
- Additional Considerations
Tests may include questions pertaining to a variety of program structures, such as credit- or clock-hour, term or nonterm, standard or nonstandard term, undergraduate or graduate/professional programs, and programs of various length (shorter than one year, two-year, four-year, certificate, etc.).
NASFAA Professional Credentials do not expire; however, credentialed professionals may renew each credential. NASFAA recommends renewing credentials every three years, barring any major regulatory changes. Renewal is not mandatory.
Learn more about NASFAA’s Professional Credentials.
