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Ocelot. New research shows the breakdown between institutions and students rests with inaccessible information, inconsistent advice, and confusing systems. Get the full results, insights, and case studies on how institutions can scale the personal touch and bridge the engagement gap. Download the report.

Federal Student Aid (FSA) on Tuesday kicked off its 2023 virtual training conference, a four-day event highlighting initiatives and updates from FSA, including FAFSA simplification and the December launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA, federal regulations, changes to FSA’s website, and more.

The Department of Education (ED) announced on Wednesday the creation of a new negotiated rulemaking committee, the Program Integrity and Institutional Quality Committee, focused on revising federal regulations for several issues under Title IV of the Higher Education Act. Those issues include accreditation, institutional eligibility, including state authorization, distance education, Return of Title IV funds, cash management, and eligibility requirements for TRIO programs. The notice specifies that the committee will meet starting in January through March and all meetings will be virtual. There will also be a subcommittee for issues with TRIO programs that will meet separately in January and February. ED is seeking nominations for 15 constituency groups, such as state officials, financial aid officers, and more. The deadline for nominations is two weeks away, on Wednesday, December 13. 

NASFAA's Board of Directors is here to represent you and is seeking your input. Please email any questions or comments you might have directly to a member of the NASFAA Board by clicking on their name on our Board Directory page. Questions or feedback may pertain to NASFAA products and services, membership benefits, policy/advocacy issues, or any other topic you would like to bring before the Board. The Board will compile and discuss your feedback at the forthcoming December 14-15 meeting in New York City. We welcome your insight.

The Policies & Procedures (P&P) Builder, a module of NASFAA’s Compliance Engine, guides you step-by-step through the creation of a centralized, accessible policies and procedures manual. The updates to the P&P Builder for the 2023-24 award year were released in April and it provided references to guidance related to the COVID-19 national emergency, as well as regulatory changes associated with FAFSA Simplification. Additional guidance has been released in the interim and areas where additional information is needed have been identified. Please visit our P&P Builder Template Updates and Guidance Changes page for a summary of some of the biggest changes since the April release. 

More financial aid professionals recently joined hundreds of financial aid professionals across the country who now hold the FAAC^® designation. Check the Registry to see if any of your colleagues have been certified and congratulate them for this achievement! Certified by the Certified Financial Aid Administrator^® Commission, these individuals now qualify to receive a multitude of benefits. Would you like to become certified, too? The next testing window opens on the 1st – or take advantage of any of the upcoming testing windows. Start by exploring your eligibility today using our free interactive eligibility tool.

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