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Attigo® by Ascendium®: Are you missing the professional development and business solution opportunities traditional conferences provide? Stop by our virtual booth for student success resources that can help you and your students achieve important goals. Our grab and go videos and materials are free and available as your schedule permits. Happy learning at attigo.com!

A pair of Democratic senators are urging their caucus to include a provision in the upcoming reconciliation package that would expand social security benefits for students. Specifically the proposed legislation would restore eligibility for children of social security survivors benefits and disability benefits recipients, as well as for eligible grandchildren of retired workers, up to age 26 if they are enrolled at least half-time in postsecondary education. Those benefits currently expire when a child turns 18.

NASFAA’s “Off The Cuff” team will be postponing this week’s recording, but you can still find the latest higher education news coming from the Department of Education (ED) and the White House in Today’s News every day. Can’t wait for next week’s episode? Be sure to catch up on previous episodes featuring developments of efforts to double the Pell Grant, a Q&A with FSA’s Richard Cordray, coverage of the latest news concerning verification, and more! Be sure to tune in next week for a new episode of “Off The Cuff.”

The NASFAA website and all related services will be unavailable starting at approximately 10:00 p.m. ET tonight for a planned maintenance outage. During this period, all NASFAA online services will be unavailable — including nasfaa.org, the AskRegs Knowledgebase, the NASFAA Compliance Engine, the ability to take NASFAA professional credential tests and complete coursework, and access the Student Aid Reference Desk — please plan accordingly. All site services should return early Saturday morning and Today's News should be distributed without issue, on Monday, November 1. Thank you for your continued patience as NASFAA completes this critical work.

What’s the best way to get ready to take the Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® Program Knowledge Exam? Informed preparation focused on closing any knowledge gaps. Begin with a realistic self-evaluation of what you already know based on your training and experience, using the Exam Content Outline in the Candidate Handbook. Focus your review on topics where you feel less confident or you’ve had minimal first-hand experience, using the recommended resources. Download the new beta version of the Exam Preparation Guide, which will be complimentary through June 30, 2022. Watch for additional training opportunities sponsored by regional and state associations. You could even form your own study group. Gain even greater confidence through informed preparation and you’ll be ready on Exam Day!

Academic Calendars Certificate covers the building blocks of Title IV program eligibility including academic year, payment periods, and program structure. Maintain confidence in compliance by completing this course. Higher Education Loans Certificate will review the different types of higher education loan programs with a focus on the Federal Direct Loan application and origination process, eligibility, and loan periods, as well as private education loans and institutional loans. Reserve your spot early!

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