Fundamentals of Student Financial Aid - July 2025

Start Date: July 8, 2025
Duration: Four Weeks
Price: $299.00

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This four-week interactive online course will focus on the fundamentals of financial aid including applying, financial aid concepts, categories and types of financial aid, the Title IV aid programs, other federal sources of student assistance, and comparing financial aid offers. This course is the perfect learning tool for new financial aid professionals, and individuals who assist students through the financial aid cycle such as admissions or enrollment representatives, and high school counselors.  Live instruction, discussion topic collaboration, and assessments throughout the course will reinforce key concepts. Upon passing the course, you will receive a certificate of completion.

Course Outline

  • Lesson 1: Overview of Financial Aid Programs; Completing the FAFSA; Special Circumstances
  • Lesson 2: Need-Based and Non-Need-Based Aid; Academic Year; Enrollment Status
  • Lesson 3: Title IV Grant Programs; Direct Loan Program; Federal Work-Study Program
  • Lesson 4: Non-Title IV Financial Aid Programs; Comparing Financial Aid Offers; Professional Judgment

Course Structure

This course utilizes multiple teaching and learning methods to ensure participants develop a true understanding of the topic. 

As a participant of this course, you will be asked to:

  • Attend live instruction;  
  • Complete reading assignments;
  • Review educational video lessons;
  • Complete learning assessments;
  • Engage in online discussions;
  • Collaborate with other financial aid administrators.

While there is flexibility built into our online courses to accommodate busy work and life schedules and the time commitment is variable, you can expect to spend an average of 6 to 8 hours a week on a course. Our courses have weekly due dates for assessments included in the course syllabus, which becomes available on the first day of the course. All assessments must be submitted by the course end date. The live instruction classes last approximately 75 minutes and participation is strongly encouraged due to the collaborative nature of the courses. If unable to attend the live instruction, each class is recorded for on-demand viewing by the course attendee. Please see the Live Instruction Schedule below for this course (subject to change at the discretion of the course instructors).

Live Instruction Schedule 

Date

Time

Session

7/8/2025

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET

Intro Session and Lesson 1 Instruction

7/15/2025

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET

Lesson 2 Instruction

7/22/2025

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET

Lesson 3 Instruction

7/28/2025

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET

Lesson 4 Instruction*

8/5/2025

2:00 - 3:15 p.m. ET

Wrap-Up

*Monday due to NASFAA staff training

Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Recertification Points

If you are a certified FAA, this course is eligible for eight Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Recertification Points (RPs). After successfully completing and passing the course, the points will automatically be added to your Dashboard.

Course Instructors

Tonya Hsiung

David Downing

Tonya Hsiung
NASFAA U Program Manager
David Downing
NASFAA U Instructor


Technical Requirements

Your online course will be fully browser-based. We strongly recommend using Google Chrome or Firefox as your internet browser for the live instruction meetings. The audio portion of online courses will be delivered directly through your computer’s speakers or attached headphones. We recommend you test your computer's ability to stream audio prior to joining the first live session. We encourage you to have a microphone set up so you can participate in our live instruction sessions, although it is not required. 

Accommodations

If you require any special accommodations for this course, please contact us at [email protected]. Accommodations must be requested at least two weeks prior to the start of the course.

Cancellation Policy

We limit our online class size to ensure that we provide an effective, collaborative learning environment where participants receive experience and attention they need. Requests to cancel must be sent to [email protected].

By submitting your registration, you agree to the following Cancellation Policy:

  • $50 cancellation fee up to 11 calendar days prior to the course start date
  • $75 cancellation fee within 4-10 calendar days of course start date
  • No refund within 3 calendar days of the day of the course start date

Medical emergencies will be re-scheduled to another available course with a doctor's note. Please feel free to contact [email protected] for technical questions or concerns about attending an online course.

Additional Questions

For additional questions, please review the helpful guide of Online Course Frequently Asked Questions.


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