NASFAA Seeks Emergency Corps of Consultants to Help Severely Under-Resourced Schools
The Department of Education (ED) on Monday announced a new initiative, the “FAFSA College Support Strategy,” to assist the most in-need, resource-constrained schools prepare for the 2024-25 FAFSA rollout. NASFAA stands at the ready to meet the department’s call for support.
ED plans to direct up to $50 million in federal funding for technical assistance and on-the-ground support to under-resourced schools, including those that may have a smaller staff and/or utilize older software systems. While the delays in the 2024-25 FAFSA rollout have impacted all institutions, these resources will be made available to schools that, without such help, may not be able to successfully process aid for students.
NASFAA’s role will be focused on providing remote, peer-level support to severely under-resourced institutions that are identified by the Department of Education.
While the scope of NASFAA’s support is still being finalized, the association is eager to provide support to institutions identified by ED. NASFAA will be utilizing Blue Icon Advisors to deploy consultants through this initiative. Members of the financial aid community who are interested in working on this initiative should submit their interest online. Those who are selected will be compensated for their time. We need members who can assist with financial aid management systems or financial aid processing.
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You should have at least 5 years of financial aid experience.
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Be available for consulting work at least 10 hours per week on a flexible schedule.
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Have the ability to work remotely from a personal computer with reliable internet access.
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If currently employed, you should confirm with your current employer that you can work outside of your institution.
We are also talking with our associate members to identify synergies that may exist to help with this effort. Those interested in collaborating may reach out to Mindy Eline, Blue Icon executive director and NASFAA vice president.
It is crucial that students and families have the time they need to make informed decisions about attending college, and helping our institutions most in need is key to a successful transition.
“When the Department of Education asked us to help them provide assistance to the neediest of institutions — those who may not be able to implement the Better FAFSA at all — we said yes,” said NASFAA President and CEO Justin Draeger. “In the future, when we see opportunities to put our voice or our effort toward realizing our vision and helping students, we will continue to seize them. While we know that these are incredibly challenging times for all schools, we encourage our members who are able to lend a hand to do so, for the benefit of all of our students.”
Publication Date: 2/7/2024
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