Member Spotlight: Ivy Tech's Financial Aid Team Goes All-In on Certification
By Tim Maggio, Community Manager
Through mutual encouragement and shared resources, Ivy Tech Community College has fostered a culture of professional development, resulting in 24 financial aid staff members receiving the Certified Financial Aid Administrator® designation, with more than half of this cohort managing to attain their certification during the summer of this year.
Ivy Tech Community College is Indiana's largest postsecondary institution and the nation's largest singly accredited community college, offering affordable, accessible higher education and workforce training to students across the state.
Dr. Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech Community College, noted the importance of a certified financial aid staff because their institution knows that students who receive timely financial aid and guidance are more likely to stay enrolled and earn a “credential of value.”
“Certification ensures our financial staff are up to date with the latest regulations, best practices, and ethical standards. This translates into more accurate and efficient processing of financial aid processing of financial aid applications, reducing delays and minimizing errors that could otherwise affect a student’s ability to receive timely funding.”
Colby Shank, FAAC® vice president for financial aid and student accounts, explained that Ivy Tech has long prioritized professional development and leveling up staff skill sets.
“FAAC® was one part of it, but we’ve also been very big on getting NASFAA professional credentials and NASFAA U courses,” Shank said. “At the end of the day, it benefits our students because we’re going to be very well-versed and current on financial aid, so we can support students and maintain compliance and administrative capabilities.”
During a challenging past year with FAFSA simplification, the ability to commit to a high level of professional development wasn’t always easy, especially due to the fallout of the Department of Education’s (ED) 2024-25 FAFSA delays.
A Collaborative Effort
Despite these challenges, Ivy Tech's financial aid team worked together to study, practice, and support one another. In particular, the staff at Ivy Tech enrolled a large number of staff members in NASFAA’s Certification Exam Preparation Online Workshop, which Shank said was instrumental in a high level of staff obtaining their certification.
Kathy Ramsey, FAAC® executive director of campus financial aid operations at Ivy Tech Community College, joined the Ivy Tech team after obtaining the certification at another institution. Ramsey was able to mentor and coach her colleagues through experience as she watched colleague after colleague join her in the FAAC® ranks.
"The camaraderie among our team members was instrumental in our success,” Ramsey said.
Monique Ware, FAAC® executive director of campus financial aid operations at Ivy Tech Community College, agreed about the bonds formed throughout this process. “We worked together as a team to study, practice, and support one another,” she added.
Caleb Fendrich, FAAC® director of financial aid at Ivy Tech Community College’s Evansville Campus, shared that it also created a sense of community among those not currently pursuing the certification because the team was invested in each other’s success.
“We made it a collective effort,” Fendrich said. “My team would have group study sessions even though I was the one taking the test, and they would ask the director any question.”
Fendrich found it powerful to have his team engaged in the process because it helped show that the financial aid field is bigger than the one task they might currently be focused on.
Institutional Impact and Celebration
Beyond the environment crafted within their financial aid office, the Ivy Tech team shared that their campus community knew about the team’s expertise, but this high level of certification has brought a new level of credibility.
“Our campus chancellor announced the certification in our town hall meetings, and colleagues congratulated me,” Fendrich said.
Shank added that the celebration of this certification is widely known across the Ivy Tech system. Ivy Tech’s president recently included this high level of financial aid certification as a notable achievement to their Board of Trustees.
“It’s very helpful having leadership that strongly supports financial aid and recognizes its importance. Sharing our accomplishments to the highest levels had a great impact on me,” Shank said.
Benefits for Students
The impact of certification extends far beyond the team itself. By staying current with financial aid regulations and news, Ivy Tech’s financial aid staff is better equipped to serve students.
"Our goal is to make the financial aid process as seamless as possible for our students," Ware said.
In particular, Ware shared that with FAFSA simplification changes, completing the updated certification test allowed their team to be confident that they knew of the changes and could help walk students through them.
Shank agreed and shared that the more knowledgeable their financial aid staff can become, the more their students ultimately benefit. In fact, Shank said that the more that Ivy Tech has invested in staff development, whether that is NASFAA U courses, professional credentials, or certification, they have noticed a direct positive impact on their students.
A Model for Others
Ivy Tech’s achievement might seem like a daunting task but it can be used as inspiration for other institutions.
“The investment is worth it,” Shank said. ”Professional development is key to retention in the financial aid industry, which is going through many challenges and a lot of change.”
Fendrich echoed how important it is to signal to your staff that you care and invest in them. “It says we care about you in the job, and we want you here in this job. It gives purpose to your work,” he said.
Ramsey shared that she had initially had to pay for her certification out of pocket, but she knew that Ivy Tech is committed to a high level of professional development by paying for her recertification.
“You don’t have to make this big case to justify professional development, and it makes a huge difference,” Ramsey said.
Ware agreed and shared she knows it can be more challenging for institutions that are smaller or have budget constraints.
“It can be harder to justify the dollars, but it’s important to look at it as a long-term investment to ensure you are staying in compliance and helping students,” Ware said.
When looking at professional development, Dr. Ellspermann recommends that institutions take time to review and map NASFAA certifications and credentials to align staff development and institutional needs.
Additionally, Dr Ellspermann encourages institutions to think about how they can provide financial support.
“Financial support serves as a strong incentive for staff to pursue certification and ensures equity among employees who may not be able to afford the process on their own.”
Next Steps
Ivy Tech said that they don’t have a number attached to how many of their 100-plus staff they’d like to get certified. One thing is certain, the staff at Ivy Tech are confident that their commitment to professional development will continue.
Ramsey mentioned that there may be some competitiveness coming down the line because now, with more certified staff members, they can compete to join the 100+ Club.
To learn more about NASFAA’s Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program, check out your eligibility.
Join us at our 2025 Leadership and Legislative Conference & Expo for the FAAC® Forum, which is a training designed exclusively for those who have received the FAAC® designation.
Publication Date: 12/2/2024
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