News & Announcements
NASFAA's
New LearnStudentAid.org is Accepting Students for October
1 and Beyond, On-line classes off to a great start
Washington, D.C. (September 24, 2004)
– LearnStudentAid.org,
NASFAA's new learning community on the Web, is now accepting
on-line enrollment from individuals at NASFAA Member institutions
for classes that will begin October 1, 2004 and beyond.
Enrollment for the September 1 classes was very encouraging
with over 50 learners and 10 experienced aid administrators
serving as mentors. “We are very pleased with the
response to LearnStudentAid so far,” said Ellen Blackmun,
the program’s director. “There is a real need
for more training options in the financial aid community
and we believe LearnStudentAid is going to help fill that
void.”
The four initial course offerings, which together constitute
the “Financial Aid Fundamentals” series, include:
- FA 101: Overview of the Student Financial Aid Programs
- FA 102: Application Processing
- FA 103: Cost of Attendance
- FA 104: Need Analysis
These courses are designed for new aid administrators and
support staff members who need to understand the basics
of student financial aid administration, but may also appeal
to those with more experience who need a refresher.
“This is a great opportunity for new aid administrators
to become part of the NASFAA community and feel connected
to others in the profession,” says Blackmun. “When
you first start out in financial aid, you don’t always
know where to go for help or answers to questions. We believe
LearnStudentAid is going to make a big difference in how
new aid professionals tackle the first years on the job.”
- About the Program
- Courses begin once a month, on or about the first of
the month.
- Each individual who enrolls will be assigned to a small
group of learners with whom he or she completes lessons
and participates in Web-based discussion forums. Individuals
also take quizzes on the content in those lessons and
monitor their own progress through the courses.
- Learners will be supported by NASFAA staff and by volunteer
mentors from NASFAA Member institutions who will share
their experience and expertise with those in training.
- Learners will be given NASFAA Web IDs and passwords,
if they don't already have them. Also, learners will have
access to the NASFAA Encyclopedia on the Web while enrolled.
- Pricing
- The introductory price for the package of four courses
(FA 101, 102, 103, and 104) is $240.00. To qualify for
the package price, the individual must enroll in all four
courses at the same time, pay for them at the same time,
and take each class in the recommended order.
- Enrollment in individual courses and/or in a customized
schedule will be at the rate of $65 per course. Enrollment
on a customized schedule is limited to 2 courses per month.
- How to Enroll
- Complete the on-line registration form found under
“How to Enroll” at LearnStudentAid.org.
- Print and submit (by fax or postal mail) the Payment
Form. Include a check or credit card information (Visa
or MasterCard only).
- Individuals will be assigned to specific courses once
payment or an institutional purchase order is received
and processed.
- Enrollment in courses will be confirmed via e-mail
to the individual enrolling in the courses.
- Access to courses is granted on the date the first
course begins.
Additional details about the program are available at LearnStudentAid.org.
If you have questions, please email LearnStudentAid@nasfaa.org
or call 202-785-0453 ext. 161.
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
(NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents
more than 10,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000
colleges, universities, and career schools across the country.
Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association
with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory
analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.
Each year, members help more than 8 million students receive
funding for postsecondary education
Contact:
Mindy Kaplan Eline
NASFAA Director of Marketing
(202) 785-0453 Ext. 116
elinemk@nasfaa.org
NASFAA
Names College Goal Sunday Director/ Lumina Foundation Continues
Funding, Involvement
Washington, D.C. (October 12, 2004) -
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
(NASFAA) announced the appointment of Marcia E. Weston as
director of College Goal Sunday Operations, a successful
program that helps low-income families apply for college
financial aid. Weston came to NASFAA from the Finance Authority
of Maine, where she served as manager of education outreach
programs since 1998. She wrote Maine's successful College
Goal Sunday grant proposal and served as statewide coordinator
for the program. Weston has previously assisted states considering
a College Goal Sunday grant application by sharing program
strategies, media successes, and budget partnerships.
As director, Weston will be responsible for overall management
of the College Goal Sunday program at the national level,
with emphasis on program maintenance and expansion, fundraising,
public relations, and reporting. Professional and administrative
support will be provided by current NASFAA staff and consultants.
Lumina Foundation for Education, which funds College Goal
Sunday nationally with additional support from Lilly Endowment,
will continue close involvement with the program, including
approval and disbursement of new grant funds to states that
are planning or implementing College Goal Sunday programs.
"It is an honor and a privilege to be chosen to head
up a program that truly opens doors of educational opportunity,"
said Weston. "I am fortunate to join a program with
a longstanding, well organized and efficient infrastructure."
Weston follows Lumina Foundation program manager Jeanna
Keller, who previously managed the national program. While
Weston is now the primary point of contact, Keller will
remain involved in the program.
"Filling the position of College Goal Sunday director
has been our top priority since NASFAA teamed with Lumina
Foundation to begin managing the program earlier this year,"
said NASFAA President Dallas Martin. "We are delighted
to have found an individual with Marcia's skills and experience
to head up the operation."
Lumina Foundation announced earlier this year an allocation
of $3.5 million for College Goal Sunday, which will pave
the way for expansion to 15 more states, broadening the
reach of the popular program to a total of 35 states and
the District of Columbia by the end of 2007.
Over the past 15 years, College Goal Sunday has already
helped more than 100,000 low-income and first generation
students clear the paperwork hurdle when applying for college
financial aid. One day each year, traditionally a week or
two after Super Bowl Sunday, financial aid administrators
and other qualified volunteers fan out to selected community
sites across a state to help families fill out the Free
Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the universally
required financial aid form.
As a prelude to College Goal Sunday, the organizers of
each state's program launch an extensive public information
campaign to reach low-income students. Campaigns use the
news media, direct mail and celebrity appearances at key
high schools to inform the public about the importance of
an education beyond high school, the availability of financial
aid and the existence of College Goal Sunday to help them
complete the FAFSA.
NASFAA will provide technical assistance to funded organizations,
while Lumina will fund exploratory grants and implementation
grants. Interested organizations begin with an exploratory
grant of up to $7,500 to investigate the feasibility of
hosting College Goal Sunday in their states. After a successful
planning phase, which includes site visits and training,
organizations may apply for an implementation grant. Lumina
Foundation contributes up to $250,000 over a three-year
period to eligible groups working to establish the College
Goal Sunday program in their states. NASFAA will work directly
with states in helping them to develop partnerships within
their states to assist in implementing their programs. Support
will also be given to attract within-state sponsorships
to ensure long term sustainability.
The amount of each grant depends on the size of the population
to be served, the scope of the proposed program, and the
availability of local funding to supplement the Lumina Foundation
grant. NAFSAA's role has been critical in the individual
states to bring together the financial aid community to
help families apply for financial aid.
By the end of 2004, the College Goal Sunday program will
have committed $7 million to fund planning and implementation
grants in 35 states and the District of Columbia. The program
is currently operating in the following states: Alaska,
Arizona, California, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Illinois,
Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan,
Missouri, Montana, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas, Wyoming,
plus the District of Columbia.
States that are currently running College Goal Sunday programs
are encouraged to stay in close contact with Marcia Weston,
who may be reached at (202) 785-0453 ext. 111 or westonm@nasfaa.org.
States that are contemplating submitting applications for
College Goal Sunday exploratory grants or just want additional
information on College Goal Sunday are also urged to contact
Weston.
College Goal Sunday began in Indiana in 1989 as a joint
project of the Indiana Student Financial Aid Association
(ISFAA) and the State Student Assistance Commission of Indiana
(SSACI) with funding from the Lilly Endowment, Inc. Over
the years, Lumina Foundation and its predecessor organizations
have co-funded the Indiana programs and led the expansion
in other states.
About NASFAA. The National Association of Student Financial
Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization
that represents more than 11,000 financial aid professionals
at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools
across the country. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is
the only national association with a primary focus on student
aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial
aid administrators. Each year, members help more than 8
million students receive funding for postsecondary education.
In addition to its Member Web site at www.NASFAA.org,
the Association offers a Web site with financial aid information
for parents and students at www.StudentAid.org.
About Lumina Foundation. Lumina Foundation for Education,
an Indianapolis-based, private, independent foundation,
strives to help people achieve their potential by expanding
access and success in education beyond high school. Through
research, grants for innovative programs and communication
initiatives, Lumina Foundation addresses issues surrounding
financial access and educational retention, and degree or
certificate attainment—particularly among underserved
student groups, including adult learners. The Foundation
bases its mission on the belief that postsecondary education
remains one of the most beneficial investments that individuals
can make in themselves and that society can make in its
people. For more details on the Foundation, visit its Web
site at www.luminafoundation.org.
NASFAA
Fall Training Workshop: Student Loans
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’
2004 Fall Training will focus on the student loan programs
and will answer frequently asked questions, provide the
latest guidance received from the Department of Education,
and clarify areas that often cause confusion. Further detail
on the content of the workshop can be viewed at www.nasfaa.org/Annualpubs/FallTraining/index.html.
This workshop, which is sponsored by the Rocky Mountain
Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA),
will be offered November 19, 2004 at Westminster College
in Salt Lake City. Specific topics covered in this one-day
workshop include:
- Borrower eligibility requirements
- Annual loan limits
- Transfer students
- Preparatory coursework
- Teacher certification
- Undergraduate/graduate joint degree
- Health professions
- Proration
- Aggregate loan limits
- Declining to certify loans
- Determination of loan periods
- SAY and BBAY
- Summer borrowing
- Frequency of borrowing
- Impact of change in enrollment on loan disbursements
- Eligibility for late and post-withdrawal loan disbursements
- Scheduling disbursements for mini-sessions & modules
Registration is required and is available at a reduced
rate for RMASFAA members. To register, go to RMASFAA’s
Web site at www.rmasfaa.org/docs/forms/memFallTrain.html.
Participants should bring a calculator and a one-inch three-ring
binder.
Any questions related to this Bulletin should be directed
to UHEAA Policy and Training at 801.321.7166 or by e-mail
to mjohnson@utahsbr.edu.
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