We would like to provide you with an update on the recent 2024 NASFAA Legislative and Leadership Conference & Experience that took place from February 4 to 7. One of the highlights of the conference was the announcement made by Dr. Miguel Cardona, the Secretary of Education, regarding the "FAFSA College Support Strategy."

The FAFSA College Support Strategy objective is to enhance the FAFSA experience for both educational institutions and students. As part of this strategy, federal personnel will be deployed to lower-resourced colleges to offer on-campus support, consultations, and training. Additionally, a new concierge service within the Federal Student Aid office will provide direct contact with financial aid experts, allowing for personalized assistance. 

In light of this initiative, we are excited to share that NASFAA has created a platform to connect talented financial aid professionals with institutions needing support. If you are experienced and knowledgeable in financial aid, we encourage you to complete the form on NASFAA’s website and volunteer your expertise to assist those who require additional guidance or support.

FAFSA Data Updates

Furthermore, we would like to inform you that the U.S. Department of Education has announced that test versions of institutional student financial aid information records (ISIRs) will be released by February 16, 2024. This development will provide institutions with valuable insights and data to aid in their financial aid processes.

Paper FAFSA Processing

Paper FAFSAs will be the last forms undergoing physical processing; nevertheless, the processed dates visible to schools will align with the date of receipt when the U.S. Department of Education receives them by mail.

Pro-Tips 

To further assist applicants and their families, we recommend sharing the link to the ProTips section on the Student Aid website. This resource offers valuable information and answers common questions, making the FAFSA application process more understandable and manageable. We encourage you to include this link in any student communications to ensure they have access to this valuable resource.

Administrative Relief

The Department of Education is taking measures to improve the processing of student records at colleges. One significant step is the reduction in verification requirements, as the Department now receives income data directly from the IRS, eliminating the need for verification. This reduction will alleviate burdens for both colleges and students while still preventing fraud. Additionally, the Department has suspended new routine program reviews until June 2024, except for cases of suspected fraud or severe breaches of fiduciary duty. This suspension allows colleges to focus on providing aid to students instead of producing documentation for the Department. Lastly, there is increased flexibility on recertification, with schools whose Program Participation Agreement expires in March, June, or September 2024 having until their expiration day to submit the recertification application. These measures aim to expedite the aid process and ensure that students receive the assistance they need.

Communication Plans 

Lastly, we urge you to visit NASFAA's FAFSA Simplification Communication Samples webpage for ideas on creating effective internal and external communication regarding FAFSA Simplification. This webpage contains useful samples and templates to aid you in conveying important information to your community.

Together, let's work towards providing students and institutions with the best support and resources.

Thank you for your dedication and commitment to higher education.

 


 

 

Your 2024 Executive Council

President

Rashinda Hutchinson

Assistant Director
UC San Diego
[email protected]

Rashinda Hutchinson  

 

 

Past- President

Christina Tangalakis

Associate Dean of Student Financial Services
Glendale Community College
Phone: 818-240-1000
[email protected]

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President-Elect

Lorena Rodriguez

Financial Aid Director
UC Santa Cruz
[email protected]

 

Vice President – Federal Issues

Angelika Williams

Assistant Vice Provost of Student Financial Services
University of San Francisco

[email protected]

 

Vice President – State Issues

Jenny Garcia

Associate Director
University of San Francisco
[email protected]

Jenny Garcia

Treasurer-Elect

Wendy Wang

Director of Financial Aid
San Diego City College
[email protected]

Treasurer

Wendy Wang

Director of Financial Aid

San Diego City College
[email protected]

Secretary

Daisey Sandoval

Financial Aid Officer
UC Davis
[email protected]

 

Access & Diversity Rep

Jason Choi  

Assistant Director of Processing Unit

UC Davis
[email protected]

 

CSU Seg Rep

Carolyn Guel
Associate Director, Counseling/Advising Unit
San Jose State University
 

UC Seg Rep

Jamal Collins

Manager of Customer Service
UC Riverside
[email protected]

 

Proprietary Seg Rep

Elena Vega-Lasso

Senior Financial Aid Advisor
University of Silicon Valley
[email protected]
 

Independent Seg Rep

Brad Soriano

Senior Financial Aid Officer
Point Loma Nazarene University
[email protected]

 

Community College Seg Rep

Shawn Domingo

(he/his/him/himself)

Financial Aid Supervisor
Ohlone College
[email protected]

 

Grad/Prof Member

David Hillery

Assistant Director
UC San Diego-Health Sciences
[email protected]

 David Hillery

Association Services Representative

Jerrick Macadangdang

Vice President, Relationship Manager
Citizens
[email protected]