SASFAA “Spotlight” Shines on the...

Tennessee Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA)
Nancy Beverly, President

TASFAA’s Executive Board is hard at work. The most recent Executive Board Meeting was held prior to the TASFAA Fall Conference, April 19, at the Cool Springs Marriott in Franklin, TN.

Major goals to complete this year are as follows: updating the TASFAA Policies and Procedures Manual; considering the purchase of ATAC – web page design system; and scanning of TASFAA Newsletters, TASFAA Executive Board Meeting Minutes, etc. and providing access to the documents via the web

The Financial Aid Awareness Committee, under the direction of Debby Nuchols, SunTrust Bank is planning the annual PBS broadcast, “Funding Your Future.” The broadcast is scheduled to air in late January or early February.

NASFAA Decentralized training will be offered in East, Middle, and West Tennessee during February 2004. The dates and locations are to be arranged by the TASFAA Training Committee, under the direction of Janette Overton, Johnson Bible College. Clyde Walker, Vanderbilt University, will serve as the trainer for these workshops.

TASFAA’s District Chairs first planned meeting for the year consisted of the Department of Education’s Videoconference on the 2004 Federal Application and Delivery System. The next meeting being planned has a financial aid awareness focus and will include the attendance of high school guidance counselors and vocational rehabilitation counselors from each district in the state.

The TASFAA Fall Conference was a huge success thanks to Joanie Walker, Vanderbilt University, and the TASFAA Program Committee members. A record attendance was experienced, which most likely had to do with interest in receiving information about the upcoming Tennessee Lottery Scholarship Programs. Sponsorship also was at an all time record high, exceeding $40,000. The theme of the conference was Solving the Financial Aid Mystery. The keynote speaker was Claude Pressnell, Executive Director of the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities. The opening

entertainment was Miss Marples Mystery Dinner Theatre presenting, “Death by a Rose.” Greg Martin did a great job providing the federal update.

A New Aid Officers Workshop was offered prior to the conference on Sunday, October 19. There were approximately 35 attendees. Janette Overton, Training Chair, and her committee did a great job of providing training. The Mentoring Committee, under the direction of Naomi Derryberry, TSAC, provided a fun scavenger hunt and goody bags to the new members as they registered for the workshop. There were also concurrent sessions offered throughout the conference agenda specifically geared toward new aid officers.

The next TASFAA Executive Board Meeting is scheduled for January 28, 2004 at the Cool Spring Marriott, Franklin, TN. A Spring Program Committee will follow on January 29, 2004. The Spring Conference is scheduled for April 25 – 28 at the MeadowView Conference Resort and Convention Center, Kingsport, TN.

Florida Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (FASFAA)
Nathan Basford, Jr., President

Our Fall ‘03 Conference was held in Naples Florida, at the Naples Beach Hotel and Golf Club. We had a record-breaking attendance of 391. I would encourage any state to consider having a conference at the hotel.

Time for a Cool Change, the theme of the Fall conference, is indicative of what we all face every day of our working lives. The paradox is true – change is one of the only constants in the life of a financial aid professional. However, keep in mind that we all must experience change in order to learn and grow as professionals and human beings.

Our patrons, sponsors, and vendors continue to support our Association. Their contribution and support help to keep our conference fees low and allow us to provide the many activities and training opportunities that are the hallmarks of our Association.

Please visit our website at www.fasfaa.org, for upcoming events. Have a Great Holiday Season.