March State & Regional Association Updates
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what’s going on in your state and regional associations.
This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues in Tennessee, Oregon, Indiana, the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA), and the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA).
Elizabeth Crye, social media chair of TASFAA (Tennessee), shares that the association’s Conference Committee met on January 22 to continue planning its annual conference, which will be held April 26-29 in Franklin, Tennessee. On January 23, TASFAA held its winter board meeting.
Lauren Greider, president-elect of ISFAA (Indiana), shares that the association held its Spring College Goal Sunday on February 22, where, across Indiana, financial aid experts offer free FAFSA‑filing help to students and families.
Additionally, the association is hosting its annual conference on March 11-13, Lauren writes.
Frankie Everett, president of OASFAA (Oregon), shares that the association recently held its 57th annual conference at Salishan Coastal Resort in Gleneden Beach, Oregon. Despite the tightened budgets across the state, there were 85 attendees, she adds.
Attendees had the opportunity to participate in the NASFAA Credential for Student Eligibility and received updates on state funding. The conference also touched on building compliance across campus, professional development, software programming, and WASFAA.
At the conference, OASFAA collected funds and food donations for Food Share of Lincoln County, and had an amazing time getting to know its wonderful corporate partners.
“Thank you, OASFAA Oregon, for another great conference!” Frankie writes.
Shellee Kilbride, president-elect of WASFAA, shares that the association’s Rebekah Hoppel Salcedo Leadership Development Program is midway through its sixth season, offering focused training and collaborative group work, along with a year-long one-to-one mentorship program to develop the next generation of financial aid leaders.
For 2025-26, Shellee writes the association is fortunate to have eight strong mentor/mentee partnerships from seven different states. The group has participated in three virtual sessions so far, focusing on leadership development and developing strong connections among participants. Between sessions, each participant is encouraged to have guided conversations with one another. All participants are gearing up to volunteer at WASFAA’s Sister Dale Brown Summer Institute in June.
“This provides a unique capstone experience, truly embodying leadership in action and giving back to the aid community,” Shellee writes. “It is a fitting tribute to the honor of Rebekah, former financial aid director at the University of Arizona, who was a strong advocate for students, colleagues, and engagement across the higher education community.”
WASFAA will host its 2026 Annual Conference from May 18-20, at the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa in Rancho Mirage, California. This year’s theme, “We’re Fabulous,” reflects the event’s vibrant, retro inspired atmosphere and its focus on community, connection, and timely federal aid updates, she writes. Attendees will hear directly from three federal trainers, with the potential addition of an Ask-A-Fed station, and access sessions designed to support institutions navigating ongoing changes related to FAFSA Simplification and the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
Ken Ferreira, president of EASFAA, shares that the EASFAA Regional Council held its winter meeting on February 3-4, inviting guests from throughout the region to participate in the first of its kind EASFAA Leadership Summit. Central to EASFAA's new strategic plan, the goals of the EASFAA Leadership Summit were to build community with emerging leaders and offer broad exposure to the work of the EASFAA Regional Council. Topics discussed included the history of the association, harnessing opportunities for involvement, how to be a rockstar committee chair, and how to excel at being a state representative on EASFAA Council. The leadership summit was bookended with the Regional Council meeting where the mid-year update was recorded on EASFAA’s progress toward achieving the milestone goals of the strategic plan. A video of the update can be found online.
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: 3/23/2026
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