President's Welcome| Dameion Lovett, FASFAA President, University of South Florida

Introductions| Alicia Keaton, University of Central Florida

National Anthem| Elizabeth "Lizzie" Valladares, Timber Creek High School

Welcome| Dr. Gordon D. Chavis Jr., Associate Vice President for Enrollment Services Student Development and Enrollment Services, University of Central Florida

Introduction of Charity

Merrian King, FASFAA Scholarship & Charity Coordinator, St. Petersburg College

Brittany Timmons| Community Foundation South Lake

Keynote Speaker| Dr. Anthony Jenkins, President, Coppin State University

Conference Updates| Joan Bailey, FASFAA Conference Chair, University of South Florida Health

Federal Update

Presenter: Trey Harrison, ED, Federal Student Aid

Moderator: Nadine Bailey, FASFAA Vice President of Training, Ultimate Medical Academy

Description: The Federal Update presentation will describe the most recently approved guidance from the U.S. Department of Education and the Office of Federal Student Aid as it relates to the Title IV programs. Statutory and regulatory updates will be provided as well as operational updates and reminders. (This session will not be recorded)

Clock Hour Basics

Presenter: Bridget McGuire, FA Solutions LLC

Moderator: Arminta Johnson, Lake Sumter State College

Description: A very broad description of the basics of clock hour to help beginners and the clock hour group understand the basics of how Title IV aid works with clock hour schools.

Professional Judgement: "How the University of West Alabama changed their policy, protocol, and procedures to tackle an increase the help of PJ Advisor and Inceptia"

Steve Smith, University of West Alabama

Shannon Jones, Inceptia

Moderator: Abigail Troche, FASFAA Region III Rep, University of Central Florida

Description: We will take a look at how The University of West Alabama has adapted to the new Professional Judgement increase through policy, protocol, and processing.

It's All Academic: Lessons from the Registrar's Office

Presenters:

Daniel Barkowitz, FASFAA Immediate Past President, Valencia College

Kimberley Willis, SUNY College of Brockport (NY)

Moderator: Jennifer Towers, University of Florida

Description: In this session, we will examine the interplay of academic culture and requirements with Federal financial aid rules and regulations. We will look at several issues including the contradictory oversight of State and Federal rules, the impact of faculty and institutional culture on policy decisions, and the ways Financial Aid and Registrars offices can work cooperatively to impact student retention. We will be led by a former Registrar and a current AVP of Financial Aid.

Top NASFAA Ask Regs Questions

Presenter: Dana Kelly, NASFAA

Moderator: Kris Hatcher, FASFAA Region I Rep, Gulf Coast State College

Description: NASFAA's AskRegs service fields thousands of questions from aid administrators each year. This session takes a look at the top questions submitted over the last year, as well as those rated as most useful by the NASFAA membership. Find out what your colleagues are asking and if your practices align with NASFAA responses.

Virtual morning start with your FASFAA Colleagues

Intersectionality: "Understanding Student Identity and the Impact on Student Service"

Presenters:

Daniel Barkowitz, FASFAA Immediate Past President, Valencia College

Craig Slaughter, Kenyon College (OH)

Moderator: Chas Hammond, FASFAA Region II Rep, University of Florida

Description: Intersectionality is defined as “the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender as they apply to a given individual or group, regarded as creating overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage”. In this session, we will explore facets of our own identities through personal exercises and discuss the implications this work has on our support of our students. Drawing from sources as varied as Anthony Abraham Jack’s "The Privileged Poor", Kenji Yoshino’s "Covering", and Claude Steele’s "Whistling Vivaldi", this session will open your mind, and change your practice.

Clock Hour Overview

Presenter: Bridget McGuire, FA Solutions LLC

Moderator: Angie Nickel, Florida State College at Jacksonville

Description: A more in-depth look at clock hours including SAP, R2T4, Proration, etc.

Business of Diversity & Inclusion

Presenter: Ashley T Brundage, PNC Bank

Moderator: Jeff Daniels, PNC Bank

Description: Join PNC’s VP of Diversity & Inclusion, Ashley T Brundage as she takes you on her journey of inclusion. She will share her unique career journey from part-time bank teller to VP of D&I, the importance of LGBTQ+ inclusion, and how this all impacts the bottom-line revenue for an organization.

Immigration- Citizenship Eligibility for Student Aid: What You Need to Know...

Presenter: Angelica Parrales, Valencia College

Moderator: Jacob Dirghalli, University of Florida

Description: This session will give you a deep dive into the most often seen documents of students who are not eligible for federal aid and what documents you should ask for if you are trying to determine a student's citizenship status. This session will also go over the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements program and how to review and processes documents to align with federal and state requirements.

The FISAP and Campus-Based Programs: Embracing the Process

Presenter: Heidi Goldsworthy, Stetson University

Moderator: Bryan Skorczewski, University of South Florida

Description: The FISAP is one of the most dreaded federal reports that a financial aid office has to complete each year. However, it is also how we receive funding for the Federal campus-based aid programs, Federal SEOG, and the Federal Work-study program. In addition, schools that continue to service their Perkins portfolios must report on how collection and defaults are handled each year. For some schools, offering campus-based aid has not been an option because the FISAP has never been filed but a review of their Program Participation Agreement shows they are approved to offer this aid. Come to this session to learn about the form, understand the process, and not sweat the reporting.

Best Practices in Serving Students Remotely

Presenter:

Lauren Zanders, Valencia College

Waheeda Mohammed, Valencia College

Moderator: Anissa Damon, Santa Fe College

Description: The shift to remote operations due to the COVID-19 pandemic left colleges scrambling to figure out how to serve students and provide them with access to the variety of resources necessary for student access and success. Learn how Valencia College quickly shifted to remote services and implemented a variety of digital systems, as well as increased their service hours to 90+ hours a week!

Conflicting Information

Presenter: Trey Harrison, ED, Federal Student Aid

Moderator: Tamika Martin, Valencia College

Description: What is conflicting information and why should you care?! In this session, we will talk about how conflicting information arises and some best practices for resolving it. Many helpful tools and resources will be provided to help make you a conflicting information expert. (This session will not be recorded)

Maximizing Your Financial Wellness Initiatives with GradReady

Presenter: Becky Davis, Ascendium Education

Moderator: Will Hunter, FASFAA Early Awareness, Outreach, and Financial Literacy Chair, University of North Florida

Description: Having a great financial literacy tool coupled with strategies to engage your students is the most effective way to help them achieve their financial goals, both while in school and after graduation. Financial education can help students make better financial choices—but even the best programs and tools can still have their challenges.

Virtual Etiquette

Presenter: Bill Ayers, College Ave Student Loans

Moderator: Angelica Parrales, Valencia College

Description: The pandemic has changed how we socially interact, but one thing remains the same. “You never get a second chance to make a first impression.” Think of all the people you have met in your professional life and consider that many of their recollections are still based on that first meeting. Possibly, that image is a firm handshake, a warm greeting, or prompt helpful email reply; conversely, imagine if they recall a noodle handshake, a brushoff or never receiving a response to their email. Today, we also must be mindful of online manners and Zoom etiquette.

After HEERF...What's on the Horizon

Presenter: Maureen Anderson, Financial Aid Services

Moderator: Anissa Damon, Santa Fe College

Description: Learn the latest update on the Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund (HEERF) and what is next.

Cohort Default Rates and the Pandemic

Presenter: Shannon Jones, Inceptia

Moderator: Geoff Stam, Keiser University

Description: Learn how your future cohort default rates will be affected by the administrative forbearance and what can you do NOW to prepare?

How To Engage With Your Students Better Than Tik Tok

Presenter: Chansone Durden, Earnest Student Loans

Moderator: Kevin McCrary, Bethune Cookman University

Description: With access to information in the palm of their hands, you might wonder how students are missing the messages and action items you send their way. We have put a list of tools to help you engage with your students and get the most out of your interactions.

Advanced Clock Hour

Presenter: Cathy Coker, Suncoast Technical Education Center

Moderator: Arminta Johnson, Lake Sumter State College

Description: Overview for clock hour schools on R2T4, professional judgment, student eligibility, cost of attendance, packaging, and notification.

How Messages Effect and Reflect Mental Health: Communication in the Work Place

Presenters:

Heather Walders, University of South Florida

Kathleen DiMattia, University of South Florida

Jonathan Ryser-Oatman, University of South Florida

Jason Axford, University of South Florida

Moderator: Jennifer Towers, University of Florida

Description: Navigating policies and procedures associated with higher education financial aid is stressful for both students and staff in the best of times. During a pandemic, as national leadership is changing hands, when new and ambiguous policies, procedures, and regulations are being rushed out to the institutions, chaos can develop leaving feelings of confusion, anger, abandonment, and anxiety in its wake. This conference session will cover three important communication strategies for improving mental health in the workplace in challenging times. Session participants will learn and practice assertive communication, identify and diffuse power hierarchies and implicit bias, and identify burnout in themselves and colleagues and learn intervention strategies for dialogues that can help.

Managing the False Positive: What You Can Do and Why It's Important

Presenters:

Irma Molinares, ECMC

Tracy Wiles, University of Tampa

Moderator: Kimberly Gloster, FASFAA Region IV Rep, Florida Gulf Coast University

Description: In this session, we will discuss the impact Covid-19 is having and share thoughts and ideas on what you can, and should, be doing right now. We will also discuss what happens next once the CARES Act – Administrative Forbearance ends. History has shown student concerns about their future and education rise significantly following disruptions due to disasters. This information will help you keep students on a path to success.

Transient and Study Abroad Process for Financial Aid

Presenter: Karissa Lawson, University of Central Florida

Moderator: Kris Hatcher, FASFAA Region I Rep, Gulf Coast State College

Description: Transient and Study Abroad Programs allow students the opportunity to enroll in other in-state and out-of-state institutions as well as universities abroad. Knowledge of these interchangeable programs can be essential for financial aid administrators. By the end of this two-part session, you will understand the application process for transient and study abroad students, the requirements taken for students to be eligible for financial aid, and the awards applicable for each transient and study abroad program.

Missed Opportunities and Abandoned Ambitions: Understanding and Combating Student Melt

Presenters:

Lee Ann Avirett, Webber International University

Shannon Jones, Inceptia

Moderator: Kevin McCrary, Bethune Cookman University

Description: Some incoming freshmen have taken all the necessary steps to start college but simply disappear over the summer. There are currently enrolled students who have done what it takes to persist but leave school due to verification roadblocks. Both sets of students are opposite sides of the same “student melt” coin, resulting in lost opportunities for both college and learner. Both facing even more obstacles in our state of today. So, what can we do to combat melt?

Managing and Protecting Your Credit

Presenter: Bill Ayers, College Ave Student Loans

Moderator: Alicia Keaton, University of Central Florida

Description: With the U.S. entering the second year of the coronavirus pandemic, consumer spending has undergone significant shifts. The country's economic downtrend, unemployment rates, loss of income, and general uncertainty about the future have quickly altered consumer spending, debt levels, and credit behavior.

In this session, we will focus on both sides of the crisis: First, compare the latest data on both student debt and general consumer credit behavior before the crisis, in the US and Florida; second, guide attendees through protecting and managing personal credit under normal circumstances. In this session, we will compare the latest data on both student debt and general consumer credit behavior before, and during the crisis.

On national and state levels, we will address the following questions and topics:

1.What is the overall impact of the crisis on credit scores, consumer behavior, and the amount of debt?
2.Tips to protect and improve your credit score
3.How to guard against consumer credit fraud and scams
4.How the CARES Act assistance impacts student credit
5.Managing credit through financial hardship and COVID-19.

Concurrent Sessions 6

Clock Hour "Ask a Colleague" Best Practices (Panel)

Hosts:

Teriann Wright, FASFAA Clock Hour Chair, Orange Technical College

Tiffany Randolph, Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Panelists:

Cathy Coker, Suncoast Technical Education Center

Arminta Johnson, Lake Sumter State College

Danielle Browning, Treasure Coast Technical College

Lorrie Allen, North Florida Technical College

Facilitator: Angie Nickel, Florida State College at Jacksonville

State Colleges- Best Practices & Shared Ideas

Host: Kris Hatcher, FASFAA Region I Rep, Gulf Coast State College

Public- Best Practices & Shared Ideas

Hosts:

Chas Hammond, FASFAA Region III Rep, University of Florida

Kimberly Gloster, FASFAA Region IV Rep, Florida Gulf Coast University

Private- Best Practices & Shared Ideas

Host: Heidi Goldsworthy, FASFAA Webinar Co-Coordinator, Stetson University

Graduate and Professional- Best Practices & Shared Ideas

Hosts:

Brenda Noblitt, FASFAA Graduate & Professional Chair, University of Florida

Rebecca Driggers, University of Florida

Business Partners Roundtable Discussion

Hosts:

Bill Ayers, FASFAA Business Partner Advisory Group Chair

Laura Dickerson, FASFAA Sponsorship Chair

By Invitation Only

(Microsoft Teams)

General Session

SASFAA Update| Celena Tulloss, SASFAA President, University of Tennessee Knoxville

OSFA Update| Pedro (Pete) Hernandez, OSFA, Director of Outreach Services & Parker Campbell, OSFA, Director of State Scholarships & Grants

NASFAA Update| Justin Draeger, NASFAA President & CEO

Complex Verification Scenarios

Presenter: Dana Kelly, NASFAA

Moderator: Nadine Bailey, FASFAA Vice President of Training, Ultimate Medical Academy

Description: How well do you know verification? Join Dana Kelly, NASFAA Vice President of Professional Development and Institutional Compliance, as she provides clarification on some of the most commonly misunderstood verification issues in this scenario-based presentation.

Financial Aid Compliance & Operations for Clock Hours Made Easy!

Presenter: Tiffany Randolph, Lorenzo Walker Technical College

Moderator: Cathy Coker, Suncoast Technical Education Center

Description: Complying with the provisions governing federal student financial aid programs is an institution-wide responsibility. Financial aid rules intersect with numerous initiatives on campus, such as your institution's enrollment management objectives, reputation and status, and financial security. But the consequences of not adhering to the established laws, regulations, and published guidance can have far-reaching effects on both your school and students. In this session, you will learn how financial aid compliance affects your school's ability to meet student enrollment goals, maintain a positive reputation, reduce financial liability, improve cash flow, recruiting and retain students, as well as ensure availability of continued funding.

The Power of Disaggregated Data

Presenters:

Daniel Barkowitz, FASFAA Immediate Past President, Valencia College

Wayne Kruger, FASFAA Treasurer, St. Petersburg College

Robert Muhammad, Howard University (DC)

Francisco Valines, Florida International University

Moderator: Heidi Goldsworthy, FASFAA Webinar Co-Coordinator, Stetson University

Description: Disaggregated data can be defined as "data that has been broken down by detailed sub-categories, for example by marginalized group, gender, region or level of education. Disaggregated data can reveal deprivations and inequalities that may not be fully reflected in aggregated data." Join this session to learn about the value of examining your financial aid data from a disaggregated perspective; each presenter will share the lesson learned from their practice, the implications for financial aid and equity within their institutional context, and the risks and benefits of adopting this approach.

The Care and Feeding of Your Career

Presenter: Jenn Trauman, College Ave Student Loans

Moderator: Abigail Troche, FASFAA Region II Rep, University of Central Florida

Description: How often do you take stock of your current position and long-term career path? Who is responsible for your career? What should you do now? Is it time to make a move? How do you go about moving on? Do you need to network? We will guide attendees through an informative session to address these questions, assess your career path to date, and develop a plan to take it to the next level.

Combining Scalable, Proactive Text Messaging Campaigns with AI Chatbots to Support Financial Aid & Drive FAFSA Completion

Presenter: Paul Burke, Ocelot

Moderator: Jacob Dirghalli, University of Florida

Description: Global trends, state funding calculations, shrinking department budgets, and student concerns are creating significant uncertainty within the Financial Aid community. Strong student engagement and support practices are critical to navigating these challenges. This session will share the transformational strategies that colleges have used new fit the “new normal”. Learn how they are leveraging key technologies such as text messaging, nudging, chatbots, and others as they adapted to the virtual world.

Want to Know How Earnest Can Help with Retention and Help Your Students Get Re-Enrolled When They Are Caught in a Catch-22 of Past Due Balance?

Presenter: Chansone Durden, Earnest Student Loans

Moderator: Jennifer Towers, University of Florida

Description: Learn how Earnest Private Student Loan can help with retention, enrollment, loan literacy, and debt management for your students/borrowers.

Enrollment Management & Financial Aid Business Intelligence Analytics

Presenters:

Dr. Raymond Nault, College Aid Services

Sheia Pleasant-Doine, Flagler College

Deborah Thompson, Flagler College

Moderator: Brenda Brown, College Aid Services

Description: Data is something we all have. But do we have a clear and concise way to view, analyze and interpret it? College Aid Services’ custom business intelligence (BI) solution provides real-time data analytics at your fingertips. Our clients experience a deepened understanding of their data and clarity of trends. In concert with our dedicated team of analysts and architects, we can transform your data into meaningful bits of information. Join us to learn how our client, Flagler College is leveraging BI for predicting and analyzing enrollment strategies and financial aid award modeling and how they perceive data now.

Tax Return Scavenger Hunt (with Verification)

Presenter: Kylie Gross, University of Tampa

Moderator: Jill Sellers, Ultimate Medical Academy

Description: Who says that verification cannot be fun? This will be a fun-filled, hands-on verification training session to understand 2020 tax returns and schedules.

Coaching the Underperforming Employee

Presenters:

Michaele Schneider, Ascendium Education

Tasha McDaniel, Ascendium Education

Moderator: Kevin McCrary, Bethune Cookman University

Description: One of the more difficult conversations to have in the workplace is with an underperforming employee. When staff hits a stumbling block and work below expectations, it can take away from your other responsibilities. This session will help you coach underperforming employees. We will share how to work with staff to help them enhance their performance by identifying areas for improvement, setting goals, and following through.

Scholarships- Finding Free Money for Graduate School

Presenters:

Jeff Lackey, Sallie Mae

Laura Dickerson, Sallie Mae

Moderator: Brenda Noblitt, FASFAA Graduate/Professional Chair, University of Florida

Description: Scholarships can be a huge help to students seeking to attend graduate school, but many don't know where to find them, or how to apply. During this session, we will discuss key tips on applying for scholarships, how to create a winning scholarship essay, and other ways in which they can pay for Graduate School.

Introduction to Research on Financial Aid

Presenter: Kris Hatcher, FASFAA Region I Rep, Gulf Coast State College

Moderator: Jacob Dirghalli, University of Florida

Description: This session will introduce attendees to various research that has been conducted on financial aid. Procedures for accessing academic articles for free will be covered as well.

Don't Take the Bait- Simple Tips and Tricks to Protect Your Staff from Common Hacks & Scams

Presenter: Scott Orris, ELM Resources

Moderator: Jill Sellers, Ultimate Medical Academy

Description: In this session, we will explore common hacks and scams including phishing, social engineering, and the use of social media to exploit your personal information. Even though many people are targeted at home or in your social media accounts, the information these social engineers receive can carry over to the workplace and impact your customers. Join us as we explore ways to protect yourself through this interactive session.

Major Changes in R2T4 Impacting Modules (effective July 1, 2021)

Presenters:

Howard Leslie, Berkeley College (NY)

Gregory M Rinderle, McClintock & Associates, P.C.

Moderator: Nadine Bailey, FASFAA Vice President of Training, Ultimate Medical Academy

Description: You must apply these new regulations for any semester starting on or after July 1, 2021. If you have a cross-over semester, you might seriously want to consider early implementation, which is allowed. What are the changes?

1. What cannot be considered a module program
2. New exceptions – several situations when the student is withdrawn and you are not required to perform an R2T4
3. Say goodbye to the insanity of determining a modular student’s denominator and counting on others to not remove courses that need to count.

Combating Title IV Fraud

Presenter: Chris Hessberger, ED, Office of Inspector General

Moderator: Katie Conrad, FASFAA President-Elect, Florida International University

Description: The Office of Inspector General (OIG) at the U.S. Department of Education/(ED) conducts audits, investigations, and inspections of educational programs and operations. The OIG has criminal investigators nationwide who conduct investigations of fraudulent schemes targeting ED funds and/or programs. This presentation will provide each participant information regarding ED/OIG investigations of individuals and organizations that have defrauded the Title IV programs through various schemes.

FASFAA Business Meeting (continued)

FASFAA President Dameion Lovett presiding

Presentation of Charity

Presentation of Bonnie Pirkle Scholarships

Closing Remarks