NASFAA Members Reflect on Recent Advocacy Pipeline Meetings
By NASFAA Policy & Federal Relations Staff
As part of March’s Advocacy Pipeline, NASFAA hosted members for virtual meetings with congressional staffers from South Dakota. During those meetings, our pipeline participant focused on the need to increase the federal annual and aggregate loan limits, campus-based aid programs, and the FAFSA.
We asked our Advocacy Pipeline participant to share their thoughts and key takeaways from their time advocating with congressional staffers. Read on to learn about the Advocacy Pipeline experience, and fill out this interest form if you would like to participate in an Advocacy Pipeline event.
Mary Alexander – Financial Aid Director, FAAC®, Dakota Wesleyan University in South Dakota
As someone who likes to blend into the crowd, I was happy this experience became available. In my 14 years of being a financial aid professional, this was my third time speaking with congressional staff members, but my first virtual experience. Nonetheless, we had very comfortable conversations that allowed me to speak about some of my financial aid passions. Coming from South Dakota where the financial aid community is very close knit, it was also nice to make a personal connection with the staffers in Representative Johnson’s and Senator Thune’s offices.
The biggest surprise for me was that both staffers were knowledgeable about the state of financial aid. But then again, how can you not be right now? We focused on three main topics that are at the forefront of my work, including the need to increase the federal annual and aggregate loan limits. Federal loans have not seen an increase since 2007. Prior to that, it was 1993, which was the year I graduated from high school. During this time, the federal Pell Grant program has seen more than a $2,600 increase.
We also spoke about campus-based aid programs. My institution has not seen a change in our allocation the entire time I have worked in financial aid. I also mentioned that the transfer from FWS to FSEOG should be increased, and that the 7% community service requirement should also be eliminated. Because I am currently working on my Title III & V share waiver application, I was able to mention the strain this institutional share can have on already strapped budgets.
Lastly, we talked about the FAFSA and the need to reinstate the housing question on the application. My passion in wanting this question to be reinstated is because of the timing of when our office starts to package students (usually November or December), and the extreme time difference of when our housing office starts assigning students for the next year (usually late March or early April). While we do use an average for housing cost of attendance, this becomes an issue when students choose to move off-campus due to the nature of our scholarship models.
To my fellow financial aid colleagues, if the opportunity arises to participate in these Hill visits, TAKE IT! The process was very engaging, and the conversations were casual yet informative.
Thank you again for the opportunity.
Please fill out this interest form if you would like to participate in a future Advocacy Pipeline event!
Publication Date: 4/29/2025
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