CASFAA is very pleased to announce the availability of a wide variety of training events for 2008. Even with the recent changes within the industry that affect our association revenues, your Executive Council has approved training events that should meet the needs of all of our members. The following events are being planned for 2008.

Mini Conferences

CASFAA's Mini-Conferences are one day training events designed for beginner to intermediate financial aid office staff. The events typically include both general sessions of interest to all and breakout sessions that allow the attendees a choice of topics to attend. CASFAA's Ethnic Diversity Committee has joined forces with the Mini-Conference Committee to arrange for an ethnic diversity component for these events.

This year's events will be held in July 2008, at two southern California locations and one northern California location. Specific dates, times and locations will be announced soon. Registration fees for these events are $40 for CASFAA members, $75 for non-members, or $90 for the event and a membership for 2008. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.

UPDATED - Graduate/Professional “Do-Talk” Summer Workshops - click for details

REGISTER NOW - Northern | Southern

The Do-Talk Workshops are designed to allow those financial aid office staff at campuses that have graduate and professional programs to receive information that specially addresses issues that affect those campuses and students. Attendees will hear from industry leaders at these events, have a chance to network, and learn from their peers and colleagues.

Two workshops are planned for this year. The first will be held on June 4, 2008 at Samuel Merritt College in Oakland, CA. The southern California event will be held on June 5, 2008, at Chapman School of Law in Orange, CA. Registration fees for these workshops are $40 for CASFAA members, $75 for non-members, or $90 for the event and a membership for 2008. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided.

UPDATED - Management Institute - click for details and registration

Offered in a retreat setting and professionally facilitated, the Management Institute offers a unique chance for the leaders in our profession to meet and discuss issues that affect campus leadership and an opportunity to develop and share strategies designed to help address these issues. Attendees decide together the issues and topics they want to discuss during these very interactive days. Previous attendees have raved about the value of this event to their own professional development.

The Management Institute will be held on June 5-8 in Santa Barbara, CA. The registration fee for this four day, three night event is only $250 and includes all meals and double lodging for the stay. Registration is limited to 25 attendees on a first-come, first-served basis so watch for the registration announcement so you can secure your spot for this exciting experience.

UPDATED - Summer Proprietary Certification Workshops - click for details and registration

California state law requires that financial aid administrators and directors at most proprietary schools in the state receive standard training and a "Certification" that the requirement has been met. The current requirement is for 21 hours of approved training for "beginners" and 14 hours for "advanced" aid administrators. CASFAA's Proprietary Issues Committee works hard to secure talented and knowledgeable presenters for each of the specific training topics. Attendees come away with a thorough understanding of the various financial aid programs available, the compliance requirements for their administration, and the benefit of sharing information with their peers from other schools.

A three day Beginner Certification Workshop, overlapped with a two day Advanced Workshop, will be held in northern California at Heald College in Concord, CA. A three day Beginner Certification Workshop, overlapped with a two day Advanced Workshop will be held in southern California at a location that will be announced soon, along with dates and time for the workshops. The costs for these workshops are $40 per day for CASFAA members, $75 per day for non-members or $40 per day plus $50 for those who want to become a CASFAA member. Continental breakfast and lunch are provided each day.

1040 Workshops

Jim Briggs, "The Tax Detective", is known nationally in our industry for his informative and interesting 1040 Workshops. Jim knows our business and is highly qualified to teach attendees everything they need to know about the IRS forms and financial aid. These one day workshops are always well attended and remain very popular.

The CASFAA Executive Council is still in the planning stages for these events. Although all agree that the 1040 Workshops are probably our most valuable training event open to all members, this year's changed financial environment is causing us to do additional research into how to provide the workshops at the least cost to the attendees and to the organization. These events are generally held in the fall at various locations across the state. Exact locations, dates, times and registration fees will be provided at a later date.

Annual CASFAA Conference

The 2008 CASFAA Conference is the event of the year. The conference will offer over 60 break-out sessions designed for the various levels of experience and interest of our members, plus several general sessions, including motivating and energizing keynote speakers and the always popular Federal Update. CASFAA will once again have a large exhibit hall reserved for industry vendors who will be there to share information about their products and services, as well as provide attendees with a chance to pick up a little something for their desk or office.

This year's conference will be held at the Marriott in Anaheim, CA, from December
7-9. The registration fee for the conference is still under discussion and will be announced at a later time.

Winter Proprietary Certification Workshops

California state law requires that financial aid administrators and directors at most proprietary schools in the state receive standard training and a "Certification" that the requirement has been meant. The current requirement is for 21 hours of approved training for "beginners" and 14 hours for "advanced" aid administrators. CASFAA's Proprietary Issues Committee works hard to secure talented and knowledgeable presenters for each of the specific training topics. Attendees come away with a thorough understanding of the various financial aid programs available, the compliance requirements for their administration, and the benefit of sharing information with their peers from other schools.

The Winter Certification Workshops are offered in conjunction with the annual CASFAA conference. The Beginner Certification Workshop will be Dec 12-15 and the Advanced Workshop will be Dec 13-15. The registration fees for the workshops are still under discussion and will be announced at a later time.

Scholarships for CASFAA members are available to attend these events. Frequent the CASFAA website for updated information and breaking news. E-mail “blasts” will be sent when information is available.