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Grace Counseling Outreach. Let us reach your student borrowers through Grace Counseling Outreach before they have a chance to become delinquent. Our highly-trained counselors provide advice and counsel through empowering student borrowers with critical knowledge to avoid delinquency and default. Let us educate your students with their responsibilities and rights. Learn more at Inceptia.org.

New data released this week by the National Center for Education Statistics shows that over the last 16 years, enrollment in higher education has increased for students of color, and for female students. Between 2000 and 2016, total enrollment rates increased for both white (39 percent to 42 percent) and black (31 percent to 36 percent) young adults, but the greatest increase was among Hispanic young adults (22 percent to 39 percent). During that same time, Hispanic undergraduate enrollment more than doubled, from 1.4 million to 3.2 million students. The data also shows that female students are enrolling in college at greater rates. In 2016, more females than males were enrolled as undergraduates across all racial and ethnic groups. Among full-time, full-year undergraduate students, 88 percent of black students, 87 percent of American Indian/Alaska Native students, and 82 percent of Hispanic students received grants in 2015–16. Likewise, a higher percentage of black students (71 percent) received loans in 2015–16 than students who were white (56 percent), of two or more races (54 percent), Pacific Islander (53 percent), Hispanic (50 percent), American Indian/Alaska Native (38 percent), and Asian (31 percent).

There's just one week left in Financial Aid Awareness Month—make the most of it by reaching out to students to make sure they know what options are available to them not just for their first year of college, but for each year to come. NASFAA is here to help support you in your efforts. See what other schools are doing by searching #FinAidFeb on Twitter, or visit our Financial Aid Awareness Month webpage for resources and information to pass along to students, such as tips and common mistakes to avoid on the FAFSA, financial aid information for unique student populations, frequently asked questions, and assistance for students whose schools may have closed. Whatever you do, make sure students know that they can come to the financial aid office at any time throughout the year—not just in February—for help.

Are you joining us for the 2019 NASFAA National Conference in Orlando, FL this June? Each year more than 2,300 financial aid professionals from colleges and universities across the country come together at the National Conference to teach, learn, network, and share best practices. Check out this short video to see more about what to expect at the conference, and hear from your colleagues about their experiences. Not registered yet? Head online now to secure your spot before early-bird pricing ends April 26.

In financial aid, we’re all about maximizing our resources, and NASFAA's Consumer Information Assessment delivers. The CI Assessment reviews over 19 topics dealing with consumer information — from gainful employment and campus safety, to athletics and voter registration — all remotely. Complete our simple information request to learn more.

NASFAA and its Board of Directors aim to support regional and state financial aid associations in promoting diversity and inclusion efforts, and in developing future leaders. This charge stems directly from NASFAA's mission, which states the association is "committed to diversity throughout all activities," and NASFAA's diversity and inclusion statement. Learn more about NASFAA's Diversity Toolkit, created last summer, which contains resources on topics including why diversity and inclusion matter, how to set appropriate diversity goals for your membership, ways to create an effective diversity mentorship program, and resources for counseling diverse student populations.

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