SCASFAA’s Peer Support Initiative Has Successful First Year
Ed Miller, Peer Support Network Committee Chairperson

In its first year of existence, the SCASFAA Peer Support Network surpassed the expectations that were the foundation for its development. Over 500 contacts were reported by those who volunteered to be a part of the Association’s formal professional support communications team. Based on its perceived success, President Betty Whalen requested that the project be submitted for consideration for one of the state awards made annually by NASFAA. That application was completed in late February, and the membership was proud to hear in July that NASFAA, at the annual conference in New York, had selected it for an award.

The Peer Support Network evolved over a period of approximately two and one-half years, during which the SCASFAA Board reviewed and considered several options for providing additional service opportunities to and within its membership. The Network, designed to facilitate communications within the state’s financial aid community, is composed of over 70 volunteers whose names and contact information are listed on the SCASFAA web page under the Peer Support Network header. Over 60 professional subject areas are listed in the directory that is also provided along with the names of volunteers who indicated a particular strength in handling inquiries about each of these topics. However, it remains the desire of the network to field questions and discussions in any professional area whether it is listed in the subject directory or not.

While there has always been an informal network of professional support available, the Peer Support Network provides a formal avenue through which anyone can hopefully feel comfortable in pursuing professional interactions and developing needed connections with colleagues. These relationships can enhance the administrative skills and capabilities of any practicing aid administrator or member of the community of student support personnel whose involvements often include financial-aid-related questions and concerns. It is hoped that the Network’s success will continue to grow and that it can continue to have an impact on not only those who use it but also on all of those who are assisted through financial aid administrative services and in the continuing development and refinement of the programs and resources that are utilized in providing these services.