April State & Regional Association Updates

In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what is going on in your state and regional financial aid administrator associations. 

This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues in Mississippi, Florida, Texas, Ohio, Louisiana, and EASFAA.

MASFAA (Mississippi) Annual Conference 2023Heather Dearman, president-elect of MASFAA (Mississippi), shares that the association will hold its annual conference April 26-28 in Tupelo, Mississippi. 

 

Nadine Bailey, president of FASFAA (Florida), shares that the association hosted a FAFSA simplification webinar on March 7 that was open to the entire state of Florida, with 382 registrants. Katie Conrad, FASFAA immediate past president, presented and provided the membership with a high-level overview of the changes to the 2024-2025 FAFSA, the federal Pell Grant, and other important factors we need to consider.  

Dede Gonzales, president of TASFAA (Texas), shared that the association is hosting its New Aid Officers Workshop on April 19-21 at Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine, Texas. NAOW is a safe learning space where new financial aid staff can learn invaluable knowledge on topics such as needs analysis, cost of attendance, verification, return of Title IV funds, and more! 

Carrie Short, president of OASFAA (Ohio), shares that over 200 OASFAA members followed the “yellow brick road” to Columbus, Ohio for the emerald anniversary at its annual conference in mid-March. OASFAA kicked things off with the Administrative Capability NASFAA Credential as a pre-conference workshop. The Keynote Address, delivered by Dr. Micky Sharma from The Ohio State University, spoke of the impact of the pandemic and its ongoing stress as a result, and offered coping strategies specific to higher education staff. OASFAA was also joined by the director of NAMI Ohio, this year’s community support organization. Through donations from members and area businesses, OASFAA raised $2,143 (quite possibly breaking all past fundraising records!) by raffling off over 50 baskets and gifts! NASFAA’s Karen McCarthy shared what was happening “Inside the Beltway,” and gave a standing-room-only presentation on 2024-25 planning. OASFAA hosted Candi Frazier from West Virginia University as part of MASFAA’s State Exchange, and Amanda Fijal, MASFAA President-Elect, who updated attendees on the exciting MASFAA events coming later this year. The Conference Planning Committee did a great job providing robust interest sessions covering topics from the Professional Development, Need Analysis, and Diversity Committees, along with excellent sessions on GLBA, NCAA, LEAN, and VA Benefits (to name just a few).  


LaTora Green, president of LASFAA (Louisiana)
, shares that the association’s virtual 2023 Spring Conference — “LASFAA Power On: Recharge Your Financial Aid Battery!” — took place on March 30. The association also hosted a day at the capital, where LASFAA teamed up with institutions in Louisiana to travel to Baton Rouge to discuss challenges and achievements with their state leaders. This is one way to advocate for continued support and additional funding for institutions that would close the education gap. 

Anne McDermott, EASFAA president, shares that the EASFAA Regional Council has been hard at work over the last several months. The Regional Council met February 26-28 in Philadelphia, and now looks forward to EASFAA’s Annual Conference — “Powered by Purpose” — to be held May 14-17 in Manchester, New Hampshire. This is the first time that the EASFAA Annual Conference is to be held in New Hampshire. The EASFAA Connects Committee will be continuing the Coffee & Connections discussions live at the upcoming EASFAA Annual Conference with breakfast panel discussions. The Diversity and Inclusion committee is sponsoring several upcoming “Tuesdays at 2” programs including “Veterans and Neurodiversity in Higher Education Settings,” “DEIB, what is it and how do I use it,” and a program featuring Gary Ware, Creative Catalyst & Workshop Facilitator, Breakthrough Play.  EASFAA elections were held in January for the 2023-24 year. Tayler Kreutter of Mount Holyoke College was elected as President-Elect and Kathy Anderson of Berklee College of Music was elected Treasurer. 

Check back next month to see what your colleagues are doing across the country, and check out your colleagues’ updates from previous months!

 

Publication Date: 4/4/2023

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