September State & Regional Updates
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
In this monthly round-up in Today's News, we would like to highlight what’s going on in your state and regional associations.
This month, we have the opportunity to hear from our colleagues in Massachusetts, the Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA), the Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA), Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA), and the Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SWASFAA).
Miranda Morgan, president of MASFAA (Massachusetts), shares that registration for the association’s annual training series is now open. Named “Just the FACTS!,” this series is designed to meet the needs of new financial aid professionals with less than two years of experience. Attendees receive comprehensive training on financial aid topics and the opportunity to build their professional network with this series of three in-person training sessions presented by MASFAA’s Professional Development & Training Committee, Miranda writes.
Ken Ferreira, president of EASFAA, shares that the association’s regional council conducted its monthly meeting on August 7, where it reviewed the EASFAA update that will be presented throughout the fall at state conferences. A "Milestone Goals" document was also circulated for input and edits, outlining the objectives within the new strategic plan that this year's council will focus and deliver on, Ken writes. Council meetings are now recorded and will be sent to the EASFAA membership in an effort to both communicate and showcase the hard work of the volunteer council, he adds.
Shellee Kilbride, president-elect of WASFAA, shares that the association is starting the 2025-26 year with a return to its virtual fall training series. This year’s theme is “Bend, Don’t Break: Thriving Through Change,” with 10 webinars featuring various topics to help members be flexible, resilient, and prepared to weather whatever challenges blow our way, she writes.
Sessions for the virtual fall training series range from understanding how to use tax return data for verification to supporting homeless students, examining imposter syndrome, year-end reporting and close-out, developing operational calendars, and learning effective advocacy skills. Series packages are available to individual and institutional members as well as per webinar for non-members, Shellee notes.
Joan Bailey, president of SASFAA, shares that the association’s theme for the year is “Journey of Resilience - Adapt, Overcome and Excel,” and that SASFAA has hit the ground running.
At the transition meeting in Orlando, Florida, SAFSAA is beginning a year of training and advocacy. First, the association held a fireside chat with Melanie Storey, NASFAA’s president and CEO.
From there, the association held two webinars; one focused on the impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, and another on insights into the 2026-27 FAFSA beta testing. The webinars were well attended as SASFAA members are trying to wrap their heads around what is changing at the federal level, Joan writes.
SASFAA has also opened registration for its fall in-person trainings, being held in Charlotte, North Carolina from October 6-8. Joan also highlighted the association’s podcast, Swoonpies and Money.
Elizabeth Amador, president of SWASFAA, shares that the association will host its 2025 SWASFAA/LASFAA Super Conference from November 5-7 in New Orleans, Louisiana. This year's conference theme is "The Roots & Rhythm Tour: Funding Dreams, Uniting Cultures,” which celebrates both the deep roots of financial aid and the vibrant rhythms of innovation and inclusion. Early bird registration is open through October 1.
“Just like jazz, our profession thrives on collaboration, improvisation, and a shared mission to create something greater than the sum of its parts,” Elizabeth writes. “We can’t wait to see you in the French Quarter this November – where our roots run deep and the rhythm never stops!"
Check back next month to see what your colleagues are doing across the country, and check out your colleagues’ updates from previous months!
Publication Date: 9/9/2025
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