TASFAA FINANCIAL AIDREGIONAL TRAINING
TARRANT COUNTY COLLEGE
Trinity River Campus
THURSDAY, MARCH 2, 2017
7:30am – 8:30am – Registration and Continental Breakfast –Room 4202
Room 4202– 8:30am – 9:00am
Welcome Session
Moderator:JoEllen Soucier, Executive Director of Financial Aid at Houston Community College
Presenters:
- JoEllen Soucier – Housekeeping Items
- Alan Ahmad – President of TASFAA, Director of Financial Aid at Alamo Colleges
- Samantha Stalnaker – District Director, Tarrant County College District
- Cynthia Butler – Executive District Director, Dallas County Community College District
- Donnie Purvis – Director of Financial Aid, Weatherford College
Room 4202– 9:00am – 10:00am
Spotlight Session – The Texas Coordinating Board – State Aid Update
Moderator:JoEllen Soucier, Executive Director of Financial Aid
Presenter: Troyling Johnson
Title: The Texas Coordinating Board – State Aid Update
Description:This Year is Now is Session: The 85th Texas Legislature is now in session and a lot of exciting activity is on the horizon.The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will discuss a few of the Legislative recommendations that were submitted that could impact the Toward Excellence Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant and the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG). In addition, updates to a variety of forms and processes will be presented so that participants can get connected with the new and improved resources that can be used to administer state financial aid programs.
Location: Room 4202 –9:00am – 10:00am
Thursday, March 2, 2017 –10:15am – 11:15am
Room 4202 – 10:15am – 11:15am
US Department of Education – Dallas Office
Presenters:Rick Renshaw, Training Officer, U.S. Department of Education
Title: Federal Update
Description: Update on the federal financial aid programs.
Location: Room 4202 – 10:15am – 11:15am
LUNCH – Thursday – 11:15am – 12:30pm
INTEREST SESSIONS
Thursday, March 2, 2017– 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Social Media
Presenters: Shar-day Campbell
Title: Meet Students Where They Are: A look at Social Media Opportunities for Financial Aid
Description:You send students emails and you’re slammed with questions. You update the website and post information that goes unread. Let’s be honest, the struggle is real for financial aid professionals to grab students’ attention and educate them about financial aid process.
Q: So, what’s a financial aid pro to do?
A: Meet them where they are – on social media.
Many know social is great way to connect, but don’t know where to start, what to communicate, what NOT to communicate and what students will want to see. Don’t look at it as a challenge. Look at it as an opportunity. This presentation will cover: social media opportunities for financial aid professionals; best way to align social efforts with department goals; fool-proof tips on how to get started with social; and case studies from Texas financial aid departments seizing opportunities to reach students on social and digital media platforms.
You don’t want to miss this presentation. Meet us there.
Location: Room 4202 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Verification
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: Verification – Back to Basics with Prior Year
Description:This session will discuss the Verification Requirements for the 2017-2018 year including the new conflict code 399 used for addressing differences on 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 applications. Verification requirements that are no longer needed will be reviewed. We will discuss the 2017-2018 verification requirements, documents, and procedures.
Location: Room 4212 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Presenter: Trina Smith-Patterson and IsavelEscalera
Title: Satisfactory Academic Progress – Developing a SAP Policy and an Appeal Process Leading Students to Success
Description:The financial aid offices are required to develop and monitor a student’s progress prior to providing federal funding and, if school chooses to do so, develop an acceptable appeal process which now includes a student’s academic plan leading them towards success and completion. This session will explain the expectations of a good SAP policy to ensure that federal regulations are being met and utilizing Professional Judgement when making appeal decisions forstudents who are not following the school’s Satisfactory Academic Policy guidelines.
Location: Room4050 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Ethics and Code of Conduct
Presenter: Rachael Fournier
Title:Ethical Responsibilities and Adhering to Code of Conduct Standards
Description:Most institutions have standards of conduct policies that employees must agree to when accepting a position and maintain while holding the position. These conduct expectations include terms such as integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, respect, stewardship, compliance, good judgment, and confidentiality. Financial aid is governed by a number of standards and principles that all aid administers are expected to adhere and details are contains in regulations and acts such as FERPA, Program Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, and Statement of Ethical Principles. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) provided us with an updated Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct in March of 2014 in which many financial aid operations have adopted as their guide for their own standards of conduct. What do these ethics principles means to your office? What would you consider acceptable behavior and practices? Where are the lines drawn and how do you know if you or a colleague has crossed the line? These questionsand more will be discussed during this session
Location:Room 4216 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
FA TV
Presenter: Dan Dreves, Director of School Partnerships
Title: Would You Read Your Own Website?
Description:This is a fun session!Your financial aid website provides essential information for students and parents, but content-heavy doesn't have to be uninteresting and boring. Learn ways to improve the organization and clarity of your website. See examples of schools across the country as they deliver their message to students. Check out how some schools use colors, numbers, storytelling, and online tools. Small adjustments can make a huge impact on the effectiveness of your online presence.
Location: Room 4102 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Thursday, March 2, 2017– 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Resources
Presenter: Samantha Stalnaker
Title: Maximizing the use of Financial Aid Resources
Description: The session will focus on the many types of online financial aid resources that are available to financial aid administrators. An explanation of the different resources is provided and how each resource can assist with the complexity of financial aid regulations.
Location: Midtown – Room 4102 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Verification
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: Verification and Conflicting Information
Description: Identifying, resolving, and documenting conflicting information. This session will discuss the types of conflicting information that results from doing a verification review and how those conflicts can be resolved. This includes Marital Status Conflicts, Tax Filing Conflicts, and reported data that cause conflicts. We will go over the 399 comment code that exists for the 2017-2018 year and determine appropriate action when resolving the conflict when comparing the two award years.
Location:Room 4212 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Undocumented Students
Presenter: Imelda Ramos and Princess Brown
Title: Understanding Undocumented Students and Resources
Description:This session will examine the federal and state laws regarding financial aid eligibility for undocumented students, with an outline of the Texas State application process. Discussion will include various state laws, in-state tuition exceptions, and available funding for students who are not US Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens.
Location: Room 4050 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Campus Logic
Presenter: Niki Harris, Regional Director
Title: 5 Must-Haves For Modern Financial Aid
Description:Fact: Students are glued to their mobile devices. Fiction: Financial Aid isn’t mobile. Rather than waiting for students to look up from their gadgets, Financial Aid Offices need to get in front of them where they live: their phones. Modern Financial Aid is the solution. In this interactive session you’ll experience first-hand how paperless file review, automated student follow-up including SMS/text-messaging and email, and automated file indexing and imaging can change your institution’s entire approach to financial aid. Hear about the dramatic impact personalized mobile-optimized web-form wizards, automated updates, e-signature, and secure document upload from any device will have on your student experience.
Location: Room 4202 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Thursday, March 2, 2017– 3:00pm – 4:00pm
Prior Prior Year Panel
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier, Donnie Purvis, Samantha Stalnaker, Rachael Fournier, Ashley Tatum, Cynthia Butler
Title: Verification – Panel Discussion on Prior Prior Year/Early FAFSA
Description:This session will discuss the preparations for Prior PriorYear, how schools are addressing the first year of Prior Prior, and the unintended consequences of doing Early FAFSA using a prior prior tax year.
Location: Room 4202 – 3:00pm – 4:00pm
FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 2017
7:30am – 8:00am – Registration and Continental Breakfast – Room 4202
INTEREST SESSIONS
Friday, March 3, 2017 –8:00am – 9:00am
Room 4202 –8:00am – 9:00am
Campus Logic
Presenter: Niki Harris, Regional Director
Title: 5 Must-Haves For Modern Financial Aid
Description:Fact: Students are glued to their mobile devices. Fiction: Financial Aid isn’t mobile. Rather than waiting for students to look up from their gadgets, Financial Aid Offices need to get in front of them where they live: their phones. Modern Financial Aid is the solution. In this interactive session you’ll experience first-hand how paperless file review, automated student follow-up including SMS/text-messaging and email, and automated file indexing and imaging can change your institution’s entire approach to financial aid. Hear about the dramatic impact personalized mobile-optimized web-form wizards, automated updates, e-signature, and secure document upload from any device will have on your student experience.
Location: Room 4202 – 8:00am – 9:00am
High School Validation
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: High School Validation and Diploma Mills
Description:Possessing a high school diploma or its equivalent is a primary student aid eligibility requirement. The elimination of ATB in 2012 and the implementation of standardized graduation tests have created a breeding ground for the existence of diploma mills. This session discusses some of the efforts being made by state and federal government officials to combat diplomas mills. What is required of schools to validate high school credentials? Are you in compliance? What are some best practices when determining whether a diploma is valid for the purpose of qualifying for federal student aid? Where does a "home school" fit into the validation discussion?
Location: Room 4212 – 8:00am – 9:00am
Friday, March 3, 2017 –9:00am – 10:00am
Room 4202– 9:00am – 10:00am
Spotlight Session – The Texas Coordinating Board – State Aid Update
Moderator:JoEllen Soucier, Executive Director of Financial Aid
Presenter: Troyling Johnson
Title: The Texas Coordinating Board – State Aid Update
Description:This Year is Now is Session: The 85th Texas Legislature is now in session and a lot of exciting activity is on the horizon.The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board will discuss a few of the Legislative recommendations that were submitted that could impact the Toward Excellence Access and Success (TEXAS) Grant and the Texas Educational Opportunity Grant (TEOG). In addition, updates to a variety of forms and processes will be presented so that participants can get connected with the new and improved resources that can be used to administer state financial aid programs.
Location: Room 4202 – 9:00am – 10:00am
INTEREST SESSIONS
Friday, March 3, 2017 –10:30am – 11:30am
Financial Literacy
Presenter: Chris Ardoin
Title: Financial Literacy: What’s That? or Why does it Matter?
Description:After graduating, many college graduates are surprised comparing their income to their student loan payment. This session will provide an open forum for institutions to discuss implementing and scaling a financial literacy program to help students regardless of the size or type of institution.
Location: Room 4216 – 10:30am – 11:30am
Social Media
Presenters:Shar-day Campbell
Title: Meet Students Where They Are: A look at Social Media Opportunities for Financial Aid
Description:You send students emails and you’re slammed with questions. You update the website and post information that goes unread. Let’s be honest, the struggle is real for financial aid professionals to grab students’ attention and educate them about financial aid process.
Q: So, what’s a financial aid pro to do?
A: Meet them where they are – on social media.
Many know social is great way to connect, but don’t know where to start, what to communicate, what NOT to communicate and what students will want to see. Don’t look at it as a challenge. Look at it as an opportunity. This presentation will cover: social media opportunities for financial aid professionals; best way to align social efforts with department goals; fool-proof tips on how to get started with social; and case studies from Texas financial aid departments seizing opportunities to reach students on social and digital media platforms.
You don’t want to miss this presentation. Meet us there.
Location: Room 4202 – 10:30am – 11:30am
Verification
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: Verification – Back to Basics with Prior Year
Description:This session will discuss the Verification Requirements for the 2017-2018 year including the new conflict code 399 used for addressing differences on 2017-2017 and 2017-2018 applications. Verification requirements that are no longer needed will be reviewed. We will discuss the 2017-2018 verification requirements, documents, and procedures.
Location: Room 4212 – 10:30am – 11:30am
FA TV
Presenter: Dan Dreves, Director of School Partnerships
Title: Would You Read Your Own Website?
Description:This is a fun session!Your financial aid website provides essential information for students and parents, but content-heavy doesn't have to be uninteresting and boring. Learn ways to improve the organization and clarity of your website. See examples of schools across the country as they deliver their message to students. Check out how some schools use colors, numbers, storytelling, and online tools. Small adjustments can make a huge impact on the effectiveness of your online presence.
Location: Room 4030 – 10:30am – 11:30am
LUNCH – Friday – 11:30am – 12:30pm
INTEREST SESSIONS
Friday, March 3, 2017 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Ethics and Code of Conduct
Presenter: Rachael Fournier
Title: Ethical Responsibilities and Adhering to Code of Conduct Standards
Description:Most institutions have standards of conduct policies that employees must agree to when accepting a position and maintain while holding the position. These conduct expectations include terms such as integrity, trustworthiness, honesty, respect, stewardship, compliance, good judgment, and confidentiality. Financial aid is governed by a number of standards and principles that all aid administers are expected to adhere and details are contains in regulations and acts such as FERPA, Program Integrity, Fiscal Responsibility, and Statement of Ethical Principles. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) provided us with an updated Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct in March of 2014 in which many financial aid operations have adopted as their guide for their own standards of conduct. What do these ethics principles means to your office? What would you consider acceptable behavior and practices? Where are the lines drawn and how do you know if you or a colleague has crossed the line? These questionsand more will be discussed during this session
Location:Room 4102 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Resources
Presenter: Samantha Stalnaker
Title: Maximizing the use of Financial Aid Resources
Description: The session will focus on the many types of online financial aid resources that are available to financial aid administrators. An explanation of the different resources is provided and how each resource can assist with the complexity of financial aid regulations.
Location: Room 4030 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Financial Literacy
Presenter: Chris Ardoin
Title: Financial Literacy: You can build it, but will they come?
Description:You can build it, but will they come? Sometimes you have to think out the box to increase student engagement. This session will discuss creative ways to get students engaged and excited about Financial Literacy.
Location: Room 4216 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Verification
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: Verification – Working with Income Tax Documents
Description:This session will discuss the various verification tax documents that are used to complete verification and address conflicting information. We will review W2 forms, Tax Transcripts, Account Transcript, Amended Returns, TBDRV Record, Foreign Returns, and more.
Location: Room 4212 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
Presenter: Trina Smith-Patterson and IsavelEscalera
Title: Satisfactory Academic Progress – Developing a SAP Policy and an Appeal Process Leading Students to Success
Description:The financial aid offices are required to develop and monitor a student’s progress prior to providing federal funding and, if school chooses to do so, develop an acceptable appeal process which now includes a student’s academic plan leading them towards success and completion. This session will explain the expectations of a good SAP policy to ensure that federal regulations are being met and utilizing Professional Judgement when making appeal decisions forstudents who are not following the school’s Satisfactory Academic Policy guidelines.
Location: Room 4050 – 12:30pm – 1:30pm
Friday, March 3, 2017 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Undocumented Students
Presenter: Imelda Ramos and Princess Brown
Title: Understanding Undocumented Students and Resources
Description:This session will examine the federal and state laws regarding financial aid eligibility for undocumented students, with an outline of the Texas State application process. Discussion will include various state laws, in-state tuition exceptions, and available funding for students who are not US Citizens or Eligible Non-Citizens.
Location: Room 4102 – 1:45pm – 2:45pm
Verification
Presenter: JoEllen Soucier
Title: Verification and Conflicting Information
Description: Identifying, resolving, and documenting conflicting information. This session will discuss the types of conflicting information that results from doing a verification review and how those conflicts can be resolved. This includes Marital Status Conflicts, Tax Filing Conflicts, and reported data that cause conflicts. We will go over the 399 comment code that exists for the 2017-2018 year and determine appropriate action when resolving the conflict when comparing the two award years.