FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Allie Arcese
Director of Communications
202-785-6954
[email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 1, 2023 — Throughout the month of February, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) joins the higher education community to celebrate Financial Aid Awareness Month and spread information and resources about the myriad opportunities available to help students and parents pay for college.  

As students and families begin to narrow in on their college financing plans for the coming year, NASFAA and college financial aid offices across the country take to social media to share helpful infographics and student-facing resources online — using the hashtag #FinAidFeb — to showcase the success of various financial aid programs, and to highlight how much work remains to make college a reality for more learners. Students and parents can also find resources online from NASFAA, including a list of FAFSA Tips and Common Mistakes to Avoid, as well as a Frequently Asked Questions page with information about the FAFSA.

At the same time, it’s important to note that while financial aid is the key that unlocks the door to higher education, there are still barriers that prevent some students from pursuing their dreams. As one of the key facilitators of educational access, financial aid administrators have an important role to play in reducing the operational influence of implicit bias on financial aid forms, communications, cost of attendance policies, and more. NASFAA encourages financial aid offices to take advantage of its Implicit Bias Toolkit to help them establish a neutral basis from which to build policies and procedures in financial aid administration. 

"Raising awareness about financial aid for college is vital in creating a more equitable and just society, as it ensures that all students, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to achieve their full potential,” said NASFAA National Chair Brad Barnett, associate vice president for access and enrollment management/director of financial aid and scholarships at Virginia’s James Madison University. "Financial Aid Awareness Month is an opportunity to educate and empower students and families about the financial aid process and the resources available to them. It’s also a chance for financial aid professionals to look inward and ensure their processes are implemented in a way that recognizes and counters the effects of implicit bias in order to truly serve all students."

To set up an interview with a NASFAA spokesperson to discuss Financial Aid Awareness Month, or why increasing financial aid awareness is critical, please email NASFAA Director of Communications Allie Arcese or call (202) 785-6954.

About NASFAA 

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 32,000 financial aid professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the U.S. Based in Washington, DC, NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.