This award is presented to an individual who has made an important contribution to the Association or to the profession that the Association wishes to recognize. To receive a Meritorious Achievement Award the individual should have made either:

• An important single contribution to the Association or the profession; or
• Significant multiple contributions to the Association or the profession.

As an example, Ruth Burns was honored for her developmental work on the original NASFAA Encyclopedia of Student Financial Aid.

Members may nominate individuals for this award online annually.

Recipients

• 2022 - Neville Brown
• 2021 - G. Michael Johnson
• 2020 - Craig Munier
• 2019 - Tony Sozzo
• 2018 - Joan Berkes, Anna Griswold, and Roy Lopez
• 2017 - Judith Lewis Logue and Brett Lief
• 2016 - Heather McDonnell
• 2015 - Connie McCormick
• 2013 - Bonnie Joerschke
• 2012 - Mary Sommers
• 2011 - Larry Zaglaniczny
• 2010 - Natala "Tally" Hart
• 2009 - Pamela Fowler and Debra Wiley
• 2006 - Jeanne Saunders
• 2004 - Joe Paul Case and Ed Miller
• 2002 - Paul Phillips
• 2000 - Rachel Z. McCrae
• 1999 - Michael Heningburg
• 1998 - Elizabeth Hicks and Jeff Baker
• 1996 - Robert E. Quinn, Peter M. Weiss, Joseph A. Russo, and Mark Kantrowitz
• 1992 - Mark Heffron
• 1989 - Oluf M. Davidson
• 1988 - David S. Levy
• 1987 - C. Jack Sheehan
• 1985 - Edward Elmendorf
• 1984 - Ruth Ketchum Burns
• 1983 - Kenneth B. Reeher
• 1982 - Sumner B. Gambee
• 1981 - Edson W. Sample