This year, we expect there to be several hundred first-time NASFAA conference attendees and we know it can be a bit overwhelming. The 2025 NASFAA Conference First-Time Attendee Task Force wants to enhance the experience for all first-timers.
The task force wants to make your first NASFAA conference a welcoming, enjoyable, and educational experience. With that goal in mind, we have developed a series of events to help you connect with other attendees. You are invited to join us and other first-time conference attendees for activities and networking throughout the conference. You may also wish to seek out a conference mentor (sign-up form coming soon).
We hope you will reach out to other conference attendees and mentors before and while you are at the conference. You can do this through the conference app (coming soon) and our NASFAA 2025 Slack channel.
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12:30 - 1:45 p.m. |
First-Time Attendees Kick-Off Networking Event & Dessert Reception Meet the NASFAA President, NASFAA National Chair, task force members, NASFAA staff, and other first-time attendees. We will spend this time getting to know one another through activities and a dessert reception. This is what a participant had to say about this event in the past: "Attending the NASFAA first-time attendee session provided me with the chance to meet other financial aid professionals and a mentor with similar interests. The relationships I made there have proven to be invaluable during the conference and afterwards." |
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4:00 - 5:45 p.m. |
This is a great time to buddy up so you do not have to sit alone. Discuss your schedule with your conference mentor or other first-time attendees before sessions begin. |
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5:45 - 7:30 p.m. |
Join your colleagues, including other first-time attendees, as we kick-off the 2025 NASFAA National Conference with food, drink, and networking. |
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8:30 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. |
Morning Sessions Attend the morning sessions with newly met NASFAA friends and members from across the country. |
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9:30 a.m. - 4:15 p.m. |
Innovation Hall Time Visit the Innovation Hall with your mentor or other first-time attendees. Make plans to meet up the rest of the day. |
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12:15 - 1:45 p.m. |
Lunch on Your Own & Visit Innovation Hall This is a great opportunity to get lunch with your conference mentor or other first-time attendees. |
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1:45 - 5:45 p.m. |
Afternoon Sessions Attend afternoon sessions and exchange thoughts about the session content with your colleagues. Make dinner plans or coordinate attending the evening reception with other first-time attendees. |
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7:30 - 10:00 p.m. |
Charity Trivia Night & Silent Disco Consider attending with your mentor and getting to know others. Register ahead of time to attend one of these events. |
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8:15 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. |
Morning Sessions Meet friends and conference mentors outside of the session rooms to sit together. |
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10:00 - 11:00 a.m. |
Morning Break in Innovation Hall Visit the Innovation Hall. Make plans to attend sessions and plan your activities for the rest of the day. |
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12:00 - 1:30 p.m. |
Lunch on Your Own & Visit Innovation Hall Take this time to share lunch with new friends and/or your conference mentor. Make plans to sit together at sessions during the afternoon. |
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1:30 - 4:00 p.m. |
Afternoon Sessions Connect with other NASFAA Conference First-Time Attendees or your conference mentor to attend sessions and discuss evening plans. |
| 4:30 p.m. - Midnight |
All registered attendees are invited to an optional evening at Disneyland Park. View NASFAA Night at Disneyland FAQs. |
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8:30 - 11:00 a.m. |
Sit with your newly made friends and/or conference mentors for this final session of the conference. This also might be a good time to exchange business contact information and arrange to stay in touch |