Pathways Overview

Audience participationThe NASFAA 2026 Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo will offer five pathways so registrants can tailor their experience to support their professional goals. When you register for the conference, you will select the appropriate pathway for your experience and stay with your fellow pathway participants throughout the conference.

Association Leadership Pathway

Ideal for anyone interested in assuming a leadership position at the state, regional, or national level, this track will cover legal duties and best practices for successfully managing and leading a financial aid association. Volunteering for a professional association — at any level — is an exciting professional activity with many benefits for volunteers, their institutions, and the students they serve. Financial aid associations across the country depend on the talents and energy of volunteer leaders to carry out the association's activities.

View Association Leadership Pathway Sessions

Full session roomCompliance Management Pathway 

NOTE: This pathway is sold out for 2026 and now on a wait list.

With a curriculum geared toward practicing compliance officers and financial aid directors, this track will feature sessions that focus on compliance management strategies, administrative capability, tactical methodology, and collaboration beyond the financial aid office to achieve campus-wide compliance with all aspects of Title IV administration.

View Compliance Management Pathway Sessions

Executive Leadership Collective

Exclusive for 2025-26 Executive Leadership Collective (ELC) registrants, the ELC is a professional development opportunity for financial aid leaders. This pathway will provide participants with the opportunity to discuss pressing issues in a closed-door setting, and interact with other noteworthy individuals.

View Executive Leadership Collective Sessions

Taking notes during a sessionFinancial Aid Management & Leadership Pathway

NOTE: This pathway is sold out for 2026 and now on a wait list.

Developed for practicing financial aid directors and high-level managers, this track will help attendees focus on management and leadership within the financial aid office and across campus.

View Financial Aid Management & Leadership Pathway Sessions

Strategic Enrollment Management Pathway

NOTE: This pathway is sold out for 2026 and now on a wait list.

Designed for practicing enrollment managers, sessions in this track will focus on enrollment management strategies using fiscal management and ethics, tactical methodology, and collaboration beyond the financial aid office to achieve specific enrollment goals. 

View Strategic Enrollment Management Pathway Sessions