Keep up-to-date on all Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program news here.

Recent Certification News

One Week Left in the Current Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program Testing Window
January 13, 2021 - Ready to become certified? You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program knowledge exam during the current testing window, which is open now through Wednesday, January 20, 2021. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. The next available testing window isn’t until February, so be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification Dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven’t applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

Seats Still Available in Current Testing Window
January 8, 2021 - You could start off the New Year as an FAAC^®! The current testing window is open through Jan. 20, 2021. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program knowledge exam and schedule your session online. Be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

The Next Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window Opens Tomorrow
January 5, 2021 - Start 2021 on a high note by earning the FAAC^® designation. The testing window opens tomorrow, Wednesday, January 6, and runs through January 20, 2021. If your application has already been approved, purchase the certification knowledge exam and schedule your session online. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements. Utilize the new Exam Preparation Guide to aid your studies.

Start 2021 by Becoming an FAAC^®
December 22, 2020 - Celebrate the New Year as an FAAC^®! The next testing window is open from January 6 through January 20, 2021. Exam dates and times fill up quickly, so be sure to schedule your exam session soon. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements. Utilize the new Exam Preparation Guide to aid your studies. If you haven’t already applied, it’s not too late to complete your application online.

NASFAA Congratulates the Newest Cohort of the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program FAACs
December 18, 2020 - The Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission — an independent certifying body of NASFAA — certified an additional 18 financial aid administrators during the most recent testing window. There are now a total of 230 financial aid professionals who have earned the FAAC® designation. The FAAC® designation recognizes the knowledge, experience, and dedication to ethical behavior that are the hallmarks of the financial aid profession. View the Registry page, which includes a report sorted by region and state. Also check out the national map to see how your region and state compares! If you're interested in getting certified, verify your eligibility using our free interactive tool.

One Week Left in the Current Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program Testing Window
December 9, 2020 - Ready to become certified? You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program knowledge exam during the current testing window, which is open now through Wednesday, December 16, 2020. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. The next available testing window isn’t until February, so be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven’t applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

Seats Still Available in Current Testing Window
December 4, 2020 - You still have time to earn your FAAC® designation this year! The current testing window is open through December 16, 2020. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program knowledge exam and schedule your session online. Be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

The Next Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window Opens Next Week
November 25, 2020 - Celebrate the holidays as an FAAC®! Exam dates and times are filling up, so be sure to schedule your exam session soon. The upcoming testing window is open from December 2-16, 2020. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements. Utilize the new Exam Preparation Guide to aid your studies. If you haven't already applied, it's not too late to complete your application online.

Two Weeks Until the Next Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window Opens 
November 18, 2020 - Want to wrap up 2020 on a high note with a professional win? There is one opportunity left to earn the FAAC^® designation! The next testing window is open from Wednesday, Dec. 2–Dec. 16, 2020. If your application has already been approved, purchase the certification knowledge exam and schedule your session online. If you haven’t applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements. Utilize the new Exam Preparation Guide to aid your studies.

Apply Today to Sit for the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam
November 5, 2020 - Are you considering NASFAA's Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program? Check your eligibility using our free Interactive Tool. Then make sure your resume is up-to-date and apply online. The next two-week testing window begins Wednesday, December 2, 2020, but if that's too soon, there are several other testing windows available. Begin your journey toward certification today!

Create Your Plan to Prepare for the Knowledge Exam
October 30, 2020 - What's the best way to get ready to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program Knowledge Exam? Informed preparation focused on closing any knowledge gaps. Begin with a realistic self-evaluation of what you already know based on your training and experience, using the Exam Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook. Focus your review on topics where you feel less confident or you've had minimal first-hand experience, using the recommended resources. Download the new beta version of the Exam Preparation Guide, which will be complimentary through June 30, 2021. Watch for additional training opportunities sponsored by regional and state associations. You could even form your own study group. Gain even greater confidence through informed preparation and you'll be ready on Exam Day!

NASFAA Congratulates the Newest Cohort of Financial Aid Administrators Certified (FAACs)
October 28, 2020 - The Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission — an independent certifying body of NASFAA — certified an additional 17 financial aid administrators during the most recent testing window. There are now a total of 212 financial aid professionals who have earned the FAAC® designation. The FAAC® designation recognizes the knowledge, experience, and dedication to ethical behavior that are the hallmarks of the financial aid profession. View the registry page, which includes a report sorted by region and state. Also check out the national map to see how your region and state compares! If you're interested in getting certified, verify your eligibility using our free interactive tool.

Justify Your Pursuit of NASFAA's Financial Aid Administrator Certified (FAAC®) Designation
October 15, 2020 - Are you interested in becoming certified, or do you know someone who would be a good candidate? The FAAC® designation helps validate the professionalism, competency, and credibility demonstrated by financial aid administrators across the country every day. To begin your path toward certification, first use the interactive tool to determine your eligibility. Next, get your supervisor and/or senior leadership on board by downloading and customizing our Justification Letter. Then, apply to sit for the certification knowledge exam! Have more questions? Check out the program FAQs for answers.

One Week Left in the Current Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window
October 14, 2020 - Ready to become certified? You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam during the current testing window, which is open now through Wednesday, October 21, 2020. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. The next available testing window isn't until December, so be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

Newly Certified Financial Aid Administrator Lauren Greider: Certification 'Enhances the Financial Aid Community' 
October 7, 2020 - Lauren Greider, FAAC^®, always knew that she wanted to work in higher education, but didn't know what role was best suited for her. Thanks to a staff member's recommendation during her graduate program, she discovered the world of financial aid. "She stressed the importance of the experience that I would gain whether I stayed in financial aid or not — that the knowledge that you gain while working in a financial aid office is helpful for folks all across campus. So that's kind of what got me started," Greider said. "Like so many other people in financial aid I got started and haven't left."

Certification Insider Zoom Chat Recording Available
October 7, 2020 - Valuable information about the certification program was recently shared during a recorded Zoom video chat, Certification Insider: Advice from the Commission Chairs. For example, you'll hear Daniel Barkowitz, past commission chair, share that when he's taken similar tests before, he has always wondered "who it was that wrote this, who was it that developed this? What do they know about me as a person and what they’re measuring?" After being part of the certification development process, he gained new insight into the process. "Please know that there was a lot of care and direction and thought put into this." Access the recording and check out the Exam Content Outline in our Candidate Handbook and to utilize our Exam Preparation Guide, which covers concepts directly relevant to the administration of Title IV aid within the scope of 12 overarching content areas.

Seats Still Available in Upcoming Testing Window
October 5, 2020 - You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® knowledge exam during the upcoming testing window, open October 7 through October 21, 2020. The next available testing window will open in early December. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. Be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification Dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven’t applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

How Do NASFAA Professional Credentials and the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program Compare?
September 21, 2020 - Both programs — NASFAA Professional Credentials and the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program — are excellent professional development opportunities for financial aid administrators. Earning credentials is a great way to build a portfolio of demonstrated knowledge in specialized topics, such as verification and consumer information. Achieving NASFAA's certified financial aid administrator designation affirms sufficient general knowledge across multiple subject areas to perform competently in Title IV administration. Certified FAAs also formally commit to the ethical behavior and continued learning that are hallmarks of this profession. The best part? Credentials can be a pathway to certification, and a means of maintaining the designation. Credential tests are currently 50% off using code NUTCPROMO50. Let us know if we can help you identify the opportunity that's right for you.

Are You Ready? The Next Testing Window Opens During October
September 18, 2020 - Do you have at least five years of experience in federal financial aid administration? If so, it's likely you've already gained a basic understanding of most of the subject areas covered by the certification knowledge exam — and that's what it takes! You don't have to be an expert yet. Evaluate what you already know using the Exam Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook. Use the recommended core resources and the new beta version of the Exam Preparation Guide to focus your efforts on any topics where you feel less confident, or you've had minimal first-hand experience. The next available testing window opens Oct. 7, 2020. With some advance preparation and review, you'll be ready on exam day!

Commit to Getting Certified Now
September 16, 2020 - Katie Conrad, senior associate director of financial aid at Florida International University, became certified through NASFAA's Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program in February 2020. She encourages those considering certification to "commit to doing it now." While taking an exam that validates your professional knowledge is "a bit scary," Katie says the experience is worth it. "You will likely be surprised at how much you already know." Especially if you're looking to advance in your career or you already oversee a team, Katie says the certified designation "speaks to your commitment to professional growth and training. As we all know, in the world of financial aid, you can never stop learning." Start your path toward certification today by checking your eligibility using our free Interactive Tool.

NASFAA Congratulates the Newest Cohort of Certified Financial Aid Administrators®
September 11, 2020 - The Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Commission — an independent certifying body of NASFAA — certified an additional 8 financial aid administrators during the most recent testing window. There are now a total of 195 financial aid professionals who have earned this designation. This designation recognizes the knowledge, experience, and dedication to ethical behavior that are the hallmarks of the financial aid profession. View the registry page, which includes a report sorted by region and state. Also check out the national map to see how your region and state compares! If you're interested in getting certified, verify your eligibility using our free interactive tool.

One Week Left in the Current Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window
September 2, 2020 - Ready to become certified? You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam during the current testing window, which is open through Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2020. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. The next available testing window isn't until October, so be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

Seats Still Available in Upcoming Testing Window
August 24, 2020 - You still have time to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator®  Knowledge Exam during the upcoming testing window, open August 26 through September 9, 2020. The next available testing window is in October. If your application is already approved, your next step is to purchase the exam and schedule your session online. Be careful not to let your one-year eligibility period expire! Check your personal certification dashboard to confirm that date. If you haven't applied yet, complete your application online today. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements.

The Next Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Testing Window Opens Next Week
August 19, 2020 - Have you scheduled your knowledge exam yet? Exam dates and times are filling up, so be sure to schedule your exam session soon. The upcoming testing window is open from August 26 through September 9, 2020. The next available testing window will open in October. Learn more about the testing process and make sure you meet all of the technical requirements. Utilize the new Exam Preparation Guide to aid your studies. If you haven't already applied, it's not too late to complete your application online.

The Secret to Preparing for the Knowledge Exam
August 17, 2020 - What's the best way to get ready to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam? Informed preparation focused on closing any knowledge gaps. Begin with a realistic self-evaluation of what you already know based on your training and experience, using the Exam Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook. Focus your review on topics where you feel less confident or you've had minimal first-hand experience, using the recommended resources. Download the new beta version of the Exam Preparation Guide, which will be complimentary through June 30, 2021. Watch for additional training opportunities sponsored by regional and state associations. You could even form your own study group. Gain even greater confidence through informed preparation and you'll be ready on Exam Day!

Download NASFAA's New Certification Exam Preparation Guide
August 13, 2020 - Are you preparing to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam? NASFAA now offers a new, complimentary resource to assist certification candidates in their studies. The Exam Preparation Guide includes lessons that cover concepts directly relevant to the administration of Title IV aid, within the scope of the 12 major content areas — "knowledge domains" — that guide the composition of the Exam Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook. This new guide does not constitute the sole source of all exam questions and it is not required to prepare for or to pass the knowledge exam. Candidates may choose to use this guide as part of a personal study plan, based on individual needs and knowledge. The guide is complimentary through June 30, 2021.

Apply Today to Sit for the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam
August 10, 2020 - Are you considering NASFAA's Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program? Check your eligibility using our free interactive tool. Then make sure your resume is up-to-date and apply online. The next two-week testing window begins Wednesday, August 26, 2020, but if that's too soon, there are several other testing windows available throughout the year. Begin your journey toward certification today!