Podcasts about nasfaa

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen and Nalia to discuss the two active lawsuits against the Department of Education's (ED) final rule on loan programs. Karen explains what the lawsuits entail, where states, nursing and physician assistant organizations argue against ED's definition of "professional" degree programs, which will be subject to higher loan limits compared to graduate degree programs. Nalia then walks listeners through the House's fiscal year (FY) 2027 budget proposal, along with other details from the House Appropriations Committee's recent markup. From there, Karen gives a quick update from ED regarding the FPS C Flag associated with Comment Code 352. Melanie closes the episode by highlighting and detailing sessions of NASFAA's National Conference, which is nearly two weeks away, and NASFAA's Virtual Summit, which is set for July. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Jill, Sarah, and Maria discuss questions regarding 2026-27 reprocessed ISIRs, and best practices for institutions to prevent student aid fraud. Jill starts by noting that reprocessed ISIRs recently started arriving in financial aid offices with comment code 352 and a corresponding C-Flag and explains what that means. Jill goes on to detail what NASFAA knows so far about this issue, including which ISIRs are affected. From there, Sarah goes through best practices shared by the Department of Education (ED) on how institutions can help prevent student aid fraud. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Allie is joined by Rachel and Sheila Meiman, NASFAA's prison education specialist, to discuss the landscape of prison education programs (PEP). Sheila, who is retiring this month, details how PEP has changed in recent years and how her professional journey led her to NASFAA. Allie and Rachel discuss how a grant from Ascendium has allowed NASFAA to build capacity and bring more financial aid expertise to the field by providing new PEP resources, and explain how these tools have helped schools get their own programs off the ground. Sheila then shares her insight into the future of PEP.

This week on "Off the Cuff," Hugh is joined by David Tolman, David Futrell, and Norma to discuss more details concerning the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). During the conversation, NASFAA's Training and Regulatory Assistance team focuses on issues related to Schedule of Reductions (SOR) and outstanding questions that remain unanswered, even though final regulations were recently published. Norma goes on to provide an overview of SOR and explains how the term mandates that a student's Direct Loan eligibility be reduced when they are enrolled on a less-than-full-time basis. The team goes on to detail SOR concepts that financial aid administrators generally understand, and reviews areas of confusion.

A special thanks to Zach Smith from AccessLex (https://www.accesslex.org/) for joining us to talk about the upcoming changes related to federal student loans in the coming 2026-2027 academic year after a series of legislative changes. Recent Webinars & Prior Student Loan Episode: Student Loan Management [Get Savvy Webinar Recording] from April 1, 2026: https://youtu.be/oMlq8ZFumOY?si=0JiDOhryd5oq4e3d Demystifying the Financial Aid Process [Get Savvy Webinar Recording] from January 28, 2026: https://youtu.be/3nL8Jj_7heM?si=fqbwS9_L4QCOexAj Navigating federal student loan default and debt collection restart [Podcast Episode]: https://www.studentmoney.uillinois.edu/podcast-navigating-federal-student-loan-default-and-debt-collection-restart.html Tools: Federal Student Loan Repayment Wizard (to help federal borrowers understand their repayment plan options): https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1287368252 Federal Student Loan Repayment Plans: https://studentaid.gov/manage-loans/repayment/plans #MakeTheCase Advocacy Campaign. AccessLex: https://www.accesslex.org/tools-and-resources/makethecase?areas_of_focus_tools[19]=19&f=1 Resources for Private Student Loans & Loan Management Generally: Comparing Private Student Loans [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/54213092 Increasing ROI for a College Degree [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1768869035 The Role of Loan Servicers [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/681485881 How the Rule of 72 Can Help You Build Wealth—Or Sink Deeper Into Debt [Blog Post]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/446933598 Back to School: College and Credit [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/1942070018 The Impact of Compound Interest [Podcast Episode]: https://blogs.uofi.uillinois.edu/view/7550/650946740 Other References Federal Register. (2025, January 15). Income-contingent repayment plan options. https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2025/01/15/2025-00724/income-contingent-repayment-plan-options Walter, M. (2026, May 1). ED publishes final regulations implementing OBBBA federal student loan changes. NASFAA. https://www.nasfaa.org/news-item/38809/ED_Publishes_Final_Regulations_Implementing_OBBBA_Federal_Student_Loan_Changes The Pew Charitable Trusts. (2024, March). Default incidence infographic. https://www.pewtrusts.org/-/media/assets/2024/03/defaultincidence_infographic_final.pdf University of Illinois System, Student Money Management Center. (2025). Student loans. https://www.studentmoney.uillinois.edu/learn/studentloans U.S. Department of Education. (2025a). U.S. Department of Education continues to improve federal student loan repayment options, addresses illegal Biden administration actions. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-continues-improve-federal-student-loan-repayment-options-addresses-illegal-biden-administration-actions U.S. Department of Education. (2025b). U.S. Department of Education opens revised income-driven repayment plan and loan consolidation applications for borrowers. https://www.ed.gov/about/news/press-release/us-department-of-education-opens-revised-income-driven-repayment-plan-and-loan-consolidation-applications-borrowers U.S. Department of Education. (2026, April 15). One Big Beautiful Bill Act Updates. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates

This week on "Off the Cuff," David Tolman and Maria are joined by Tonya and David Downing for a discussion on the new Return of Title IV funds (R2T4) regulations, which will become effective this July. The team walks listeners through the five areas that will be impacted by new R2T4 regulations and details what these new regulations entail. From there, the team walks through different student scenarios that schools may have questions on – including a math lesson from Tonya on how to do R2T4 calculations. The team wraps up the discussion by highlighting several NASFAA resources schools can use to learn more about this topic. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Jill, Sarah, and Maria discuss the breaking news this week that, in a reversal of guidance, the Department of Education (ED) is now including Graduate PLUS loans in the new $257,500 lifetime borrowing limit established through the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Jill explains what this means for students and walks listeners through different student scenarios. From there, Sarah debriefs listeners on the latest Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) from ED regarding the new Student Tuition and Transparency System and Earnings Accountability (STATS) framework. Sarah provides some background on what is included in the NPRM, and notes that NASFAA will be submitting its own comments on the proposed regulations. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Hugh and Sarah highlight some updates concerning borrower defense and preview comments for the 2027-28 FAFSA. Sarah kicks things off with a background on borrower defense and a recent trend in which some schools have seen an increase in claims. Sarah then provides details on NASFAA's preview comments for the upcoming FAFSA and explains how members can use that information to inform their own comments.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Karen discuss three new House bills focused on preventing fraud in the student aid programs, all of which were advanced by the House Education and Workforce Committee this week. Karen explains what each of the three bills would do and how they would impact institutions. From there, Melanie discusses what's happening with the Department of Education's (ED) Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) reporting requirement following a federal judge's temporary injunction blocking ED from enforcing its March 18 deadline. The team also discusses updates from Federal Student Aid (FSA), including when final rules are expected for the RISE and AHEAD negotiated rulemaking sessions and when recordings of the FSA training conference will be available to the public. Finally, Melanie gives a brief update on what NASFAA knows about an influx of institutions receiving borrower defense claims. 

If income-driven repayment flexibility matters to you, don't wait until summer 2026. Any federal loans disbursed on or after July 1, 2026, lose access to IBR, ICR, and PAYE. Because consolidation can take months to process, treat April 1, 2026 as your planning deadline. FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS What is changing with income-driven repayment? The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), signed July 4, 2025, restructures federal student loan repayment starting July 1, 2026. Loans disbursed on or after that date are limited to a new Standard Repayment Plan or the Repayment Assistance Plan (RAP). Legacy plans — IBR, ICR, and PAYE — will not be available for those loans. Are IBR, ICR, and PAYE going away entirely? Not immediately. Borrowers with loans disbursed before July 1, 2026, who take on no new loans after that date, can still enroll in or remain on IBR, ICR, or PAYE. That said, per NASFAA's bill analysis, borrowers on ICR or PAYE must move to IBR, a standard plan, or RAP by July 1, 2028 — otherwise they are automatically placed in RAP. IBR remains available for existing borrowers on an ongoing basis. Why does consolidation matter? Borrowers with FFEL loans, Perkins loans, or mixed federal portfolios often must consolidate into a Direct Consolidation Loan to access income-driven repayment at all. Under the OBBBA, that loan must be disbursed — not just applied for — by June 30, 2026. A consolidation disbursed on or after July 1, 2026 loses access to IBR, ICR, and PAYE, even for borrowers previously enrolled in those plans. Parent PLUS borrowers have an additional requirement: a consolidation loan used to pay off a Parent PLUS loan must enter repayment under ICR before July 1, 2026 to preserve later IBR eligibility. Why April 1? April 1 is not in the law — it's a practical safety deadline. Federal Student Aid encourages borrowers who need to consolidate to apply at least three months before July 1, 2026 to ensure disbursement clears by June 30. Three months back from July 1 is April 1. What counts as "disbursed"? Disbursement means the consolidation loan has been fully processed, the underlying loans paid off, and a new Direct Consolidation Loan officially issued. Submitting an application or receiving approval does not count if the actual disbursement occurs on or after July 1, 2026. Should everyone consolidate before April 1? No — consolidation is not automatically the right move. Consider the impact on interest capitalization, existing borrower benefits, and forgiveness timelines before acting. The goal isn't "everyone consolidate." It's everyone check. Log in to StudentAid.gov, review your loan types, and determine whether action is needed before the window closes. REFERENCES NASFAA (2026, January). Federal student aid changes from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. https://www.nasfaa.org/uploads/documents/Federal_Student_Aid_Change_OB3.pdf U.S. Department of Education, Federal Student Aid. Big updates: Changes to federal student loan repayment. https://studentaid.gov/announcements-events/big-updates U.S. Congress (2025). H.R. 1 — One Big Beautiful Bill Act (119th Congress). https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1/text

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen to discuss what attendees can expect with the upcoming in-person Federal Student Aid (FSA) conference next week. From there, the team debriefs the Congressional Budget Office's new projections of a funding shortfall in the Pell Grant program. Karen then debriefs listeners on the draft 2027-28 FAFSA, which is now open for public comment, and explains how listeners can submit their own comments. Lastly, Melanie walks through NASFAA's recent webinars regarding private loan lending amid the implementation of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), and highlights NASFAA resources. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to discuss additional member resources and analyses regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Jill begins the discussion by unpacking analyses that evaluate how OBBBA's new accountability framework could impact institutions. From there, Sarah explains several new OBBBA resources NASFAA recently published, including a chart outlining student loan repayment plan options, campus leadership briefs, and more. 

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen and Nalia to discuss the latest news in the appropriations process. The team first discusses what attendees can expect at NASFAA's 2026 Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo next week. From there, Nalia walks listeners through the last few weeks in Washington, D.C., where the Department of Education (ED) faced a lapse in appropriations for a few days. However, Congress ultimately passed legislation funding ED and other agencies through the end of the fiscal year, September 30. Melanie also gives an update regarding the FSA in-person conference in March. Lastly, Karen debriefs listeners on NASFAA's latest resources for members regarding the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to catch listeners up on where things stand with the implementation timeline for the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Jill kicks things off with some background on the negotiated rulemaking (neg reg) process and how the committee's discussions will impact the student loan portfolio, Pell Grants, and institutional accountability metrics. Sarah then walks through upcoming changes to federal Pell Grant awards for 2026-27 award year and details a new NASFAA flowchart that can guide members through that process.

Jill Desjean, Director of Policy Analyss at the NASFAA joins us as we unpack how a legacy definition of professional degrees now shapes graduate loan limits and why that affects the pipeline for licensed clinicians. We map the rulemaking timeline, pinpoint the public comment window, and outline how targeted advocacy can expand recognition for audiology, SLP, and other fields.• the current definition of a professional degree and its criteria• how a statistical category became a funding gate• constraints regulators faced when Congress pointed to old definitions• why audiology and SLP may have been omitted• what negotiated rulemaking and public comment allow• the loan burden realities for clinical students• workforce shortages in hearing care and patient impact• practical steps to submit effective comments and contact CongressConnect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

Policy just moved the goalposts on graduate borrowing. We invited Jill Desjean, Director of Policy Analysis at NASFAA, to break down the new federal definition of “professional degree,” why it leans on a legacy program list, and what that means for loan limits, affordability, and access to care.We walk through the exact criteria the Department of Education is using, how Congress pointed the rulemaking toward classifications like medicine and dentistry, and why allied health fields with licensure and clinical preparation can still be left out. From there, we connect the dots: lower federal loan caps could push more students toward private loans, weaken access to income-driven repayment, and complicate eligibility for Public Service Loan Forgiveness. Jill brings a clear, practical lens to advocacy—what makes a persuasive public comment, how to work with professional associations, and why stories from clinics, schools, and hospitals matter as much as data. We also surface concrete risks like mid-program financing gaps and discuss ways policymakers could align financing with workforce needs, from updating eligible program lists to safeguarding completion for students in shortage fields. About NASFAA The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is the only national, nonprofit association with a primary focus on information dissemination, professional development, and legislative and regulatory analysis related to federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. Their membership consists of more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the United States.Positions and Advocacy EffortsAs a nonpartisan organization, NASFAA works closely with lawmakers on both sides of the political aisle. Their advocacy efforts are guided by 10 core principles that reflect our belief that the purpose of student financial aid is to ensure everyone has equal access to postsecondary education. Most often, NASFAA advocates in two separate arenas: in the context of reauthorization of the Higher Education Act and in the budget and appropriations process. Learn more about our policy positions and our advocacy efforts.Connect with the Hearing Matters Podcast TeamEmail: hearingmatterspodcast@gmail.com Instagram: @hearing_matters_podcast Facebook: Hearing Matters Podcast

This week on "Off The Cuff," Tim is joined by Jill and Sarah to recap some of the latest negotiated rulemaking (neg reg) developments and NASFAA public comments. Jill kicks things off with details from how the Reimagining and Improving Student Education (RISE) Committee worked to define a "professional student" and explained how the Department of Education (ED) approached defining the term, outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA). Sarah then highlights some of NASFAA's recent comments on ED's proposed revisions to the FSA Feedback System, and their changes to the Application for Approval to Participate in the Federal Student Financial Aid Programs (E-App). 

Dr. Stephanie Hartman discusses changes to student loan policy changes within HR1 with Paula Kohles. Paula, is the current director of financial aid at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. She has over 30 years of experience in financial aid services within systems of higher education.  Be sure to check out the show notes for any updates that may have occurred since the recording of the podcast on October 8, 2025. Link to HR1 - One Big Beautiful Bill ActLink to outline of Student Aid changes from NASFAA. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit association that provides professional development and services for financial aid administrators, advocates for public policies that increase student success in postsecondary education, and conducts legislative and regulatory analysis related to federal student aid programs.We rely on your donations to keep producing this podcast content and to support physician advocacy in Nebraska. If you would like to support Nebraska Alliance for Physician Advocacy, a 501(c)(3) organization in Nebraska please click to DONATE NOW.    If you have questions or answers, please email us at contact@nebraskaallianceforphysicianadvocacy.org   Please check out our website at: Nebraska Alliance for Physician Advocacy   Follow on social media: @NEAllianceforPhysicianAdvocacy on Instagram  https://www.facebook.com/neallianceforphysicianadvocacy on Facebook  The views and opinions expressed on this podcast are solely those of the speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of their employers or any other organization or entity. This podcast is for informational and entertainment purposes only and does not constitute professional medical, legal, or financial advice. If you have a specific concern, please consult with a qualified professional.

Host Jonathan Hughes talks to three financial aid experts on location at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Conference in Anaheim, California. Jonathan talks to  Assistant Vice President for Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at Auburn University, Celena Tulloss, Executive Vice President of NASFAA, Beth Maglione, and Assistant Vice President for Student Financial Services at Suffolk University, Ken Ferriera, about NASFAA, the current state of financial aid, and more.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie and Nalia provide an update on where things stand with funding for federal student aid programs due to the ongoing government shutdown. Nalia begins by debriefing listeners on what has happened with the government shutdown so far, which began on October 1. Melanie then discusses how the shutdown – now entering its third week – is impacting federal student aid, including concerns NASFAA has heard from members, and shares several resources to answer member questions. The team also highlights how the White House's most recent reduction in force (RIF) at the Department of Education (ED), where roughly 20% of staff were laid off, could impact higher education. Nalia also provides an overview of the current appropriations process, where Congress must work together to fund the government for fiscal year (FY) 2026. 

Candace Boeninger, Vice President for Enrollment Management at Ohio University, joins the ALP to share lessons from her journey into senior leadership, reflecting on her experience working with an executive coach and how it helped her navigate the transition to cabinet-level leadership, as well as her evolving understanding of power—and the responsibility that comes with it.Candace also shares her approach to “being a student of the profession,” including the podcasts and newsletters that keep her sharp.00:00 — Welcome and Candace's path to Ohio University.06:00 — From construction software to admissions: “other duties as assigned” and career pivots.13:30 — On career progression: “I want to do work that matters, and I don't want to work for a bozo.”15:30 — Leadership development and discovering executive coaching.18:50 — The Hogan assessment and learning to find direction without waiting for top-down instruction.24:20 — Lessons from coaching: finding her voice, learning to hold power, and using it responsibly.28:50 — The tension between being a people pleaser and wielding power.29:50 — “If you aren't willing to become a student of the profession, then you're probably not going to have very much fun.”31:50 — Her routine for digesting information: Future U, NASFAA's Off The Cuff, NACAC Admission News, NASFAA newsletter.38:20 — Rapid Descent.The ALP is supported by RHB, a division of SIG. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

This week on “Off The Cuff” Tim is joined by Jill to dive into the latest developments concerning the Department of Education's (ED) proposed regulations for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program. To kick things off, Jill provides a brief recap on the recent negotiated rulemaking (Neg Reg) committee that considered regulations concerning PSLF, as well as where things stand with that committee's timeline. Jill then details what implications these proposed regulatory changes could have on the program and explains recent comments that NASFAA submitted in response to ED's proposed rules.  

Amidst a constantly shifting legal and regulatory environment, Melanie Storey, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), joins host Jason Altmire to discuss how her association is helping nearly 3,000 institutions navigate student aid challenges. From FAFSA rollout struggles to Department of Education staff cuts, Storey explains why sound implementation and transparency are critical for student success. She also highlights how NASFAA's advocacy is shaping federal policy to reduce barriers for students while strengthening institutions' ability to deliver aid effectively.To learn more about Career Education Colleges & Universities, visit our website. Sponsored by LeadSquared. Most enrollment platforms just aren't built for the fast-moving world of career schools.The result? Costly consultants, long implementations, and systems that don't talk to each other.LeadSquared is different. It's designed just for career schools—with AI-powered workflows, fast speed-to-lead, and seamless integrations.Implementation happens in weeks, not months—by in-house education experts who actually understand your business. No outside consultants. No inflated costs. In fact, LeadSquared's total cost of ownership is just one-third of traditional systems.That's why over 800 education institutions worldwide trust LeadSquared—not just as software, but as a partner.Visit leadsquared.com to learn more.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Karen to catch listeners up on identity verification news, FAFSA beta updates, and a roadmap to the upcoming Negotiated Rulemaking (NegReg) sessions. The team kicks things off with a discussion on the Department of Education's (ED) new initiative concerning identity verification, and highlights some transition issues raised by NASFAA communities. Melanie and Karen then catch listeners up on the beta testing period for the 2026-27 FAFSA and discuss where things stand ahead of the now certified October 1 launch date of the form. The team then wraps things up with a discussion on the upcoming NegReg committees as well as the department's unified agenda.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Hugh provides a brief catch-up of some summer headlines from Congress and the Department of Education (ED). First, Hugh highlights the latest developments in the annual appropriations process with the Senate releasing its spending plan for ED for fiscal year 2026, which mostly flat-funds programs for the upcoming year, and explains what work lies ahead when Congress returns in September. Then, Hugh discusses ED's negotiated rulemaking hearing, which focused on implementing several provisions of the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” and highlights remarks made by NASFAA's president and CEO, Melanie Storey.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Melanie is joined by Megan, Sarah, and Nalia to discuss the latest updates around the reconciliation process after the Senate HELP Committee released its own portion of the bill this week that could make significant changes to higher education policy. Nalia begins by explaining how the reconciliation process works and what's ahead for Congress. Megan and Sarah then debrief on what changes the Senate seeks to make to the House's bill, which was initially released in April. From there, Sarah walks listeners through the latest verification guidance from the Department of Education (ED), including the questions NASFAA has over the guidance. Lastly, Melanie explains why NASFAA signed onto an amicus brief in support of Harvard University. 

There's no shortage of news about the U.S. Department of Education these days—from an executive order proposing to eliminate the agency, to new proposals on Capitol Hill that could reshape federal aid programs, to upcoming regulatory changes. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' Karen McCarthy joins NACUBO's Liz Clark and Bryan Dickson to explore what these developments mean for higher education institutions and staff working in financial aid and business offices. They also discuss how NASFAA and NACUBO are supporting their members through advocacy and engagement.   Additional Resources: Read the latest NACUBO news Follow NASFAA on LinkedIn Connect with Liz Clark on LinkedIn Connect with Bryan Dickson on LinkedIn Check out NACUBO's other podcasts! Career Conversations CBO Speaks

This week on "Off the Cuff," Melanie is joined by Rachel, Hugh, Sarah, and Nalia to dive into how the congressional budgeting process could impact student financial aid. To kick things off, Melanie and Hugh discuss the latest developments in the reconciliation process, where a House committee recently advanced portions of the package that would make some drastic changes to programs housed within the Department of Education (ED). Sarah then provides members with a recap of three deep dive explainers that the policy has been working on to fully analyze the proposal. Rachel and Nalia then walk through more of the dynamics of the reconciliation process and outline how NASFAA members can make their voices heard by contacting their members of Congress. Nalia then catches listeners up on the president's “skinny” budget request, and the team wraps things up with some additional news out of ED concerning staffing hours and the start of a new Negotiated Rulemaking (NegReg) session.

This week on a special episode of "Off The Cuff," Beth is joined by NASFAA's new president and CEO Melanie Storey to answer questions submitted from NASFAA members. Melanie answers several questions, ranging from challenges with FAFSA simplification, the state of federal student aid, the current political climate, the future of the financial aid profession, and much more. Join us in welcoming Melanie to the NASFAA team!

This week on "Off the Cuff," Jill and Sarah discuss NASFAA's submitted comments on the upcoming 2026-27 FAFSA and an updated resource, NASFAA's R2T4 decision trees. Jill highlights several key points NASFAA made in its submitted comments on the 2026–27 FAFSA, including the importance of the intended use of FAFSA data, FA-DDX working for contributors without a Social Security number, and more. Sarah then walk listeners through the latest R2T4 regulations, which were published in early January under the Biden administration. Sarah highlights NASFAA's updated R2T4 decision trees as a resource for members. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Beth is joined by Jill and Hugh to discuss some of the latest headlines impacting student financial aid. Kicking things off on an exciting note, Beth provides some background on NASFAA's new President & CEO, Melanie Storey, who will be joining the team on May 1. Jill then shares some breaking news concerning ED's planned negotiated rulemaking session focusing on regulations that would streamline current federal student financial assistance programs with a focus on Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF), Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and Income Contingent Repayment (ICR). Hugh then debriefs listeners on President Trump's executive order seeking to dismantle ED. Jill wraps things up with more updates on the application status of IDR plans that ongoing legal challenges have impacted.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Allie and Karen are joined by Megan and Nalia to discuss the latest news reports that President Donald Trump is preparing to sign an executive order that would seek to dismantle the Department of Education. Karen and Megan debrief listeners on what NASFAA knows so far and walk through the complex roadmap that would be required to actually terminate ED. From there, Nalia updates listeners on a special budget tool known as the reconciliation process, which Congress is currently in the beginning stages of drafting, and how that legislation could impact higher education policies. 

This week on “Off The Cuff,” Hugh and David are joined by Tonya Hsiung, NASFAA U Program Manager, to discuss and answer some common questions, misconceptions and topics that catch some members by surprise in various NASFAA U courses. Topics discussed include loan fees, cost of attendance (COA), professional judgement (PJ), the Pell Grant recalculation date and more. David and Tonya provide a variety of examples and scenarios throughout the conversation and remind listeners that they can sign up for specific courses that spend weeks diving into a given topic through our NASFAA U course schedule.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Beth, Jill, Rachel, and Nalia discuss FAFSA updates and how the 2024 election may shape financial aid policy for the next administration. Jill kicks things off by debriefing listeners on several fixes the Department of Education (ED) has made to issues in the 2024-25 and 2025-26 FAFSA cycles. Then, Nalia and Rachel lead a discussion on what a Harris or Trump presidency could mean for financial aid policy. The team also briefly discusses how NASFAA develops its advocacy positions as a nonpartisan organization and how NASFAA advocates on the Hill. The team ends the episode discussing what we're keeping an eye out for in the upcoming 119th Congress. 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Sarah and Hugh discuss 2024-25 changes in documentation requirements related to Jay Treaty students and dig into the background of this guidance within the FSA Handbook. From there, Sarah debriefs listeners on several resources both NASFAA and the Department of Education (ED) have for institutions that were impacted by recent natural disasters. Sarah then explains some timely electronic announcements and Dear Colleague Letters that can help students and schools affected by these recent disasters.  

This week on “Off the Cuff,” Hugh and Jill discuss the latest news surrounding the Saving on a Valuable Education (SAVE) repayment plan, and income-driven repayment (IDR) plans in general. Jill kicks things off with a background discussion on how the SAVE plan came to be through the negotiated rulemaking process and then catches listeners up on the legal challenges that have threatened the program. The conversation then highlights how financial aid administrators can help borrowers navigate through the current repayment landscape and discusses some NASFAA resources that listeners should be on the lookout for.

This week on "Off the Cuff," Karen, Jill, and Hugh discuss the latest news surrounding Gainful Employment (GE) and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) regulations, as well as NASFAA's advocacy campaign to request that Congress take action to require the Department of Education (ED) to delay upcoming institutional reporting requirements. The team then debriefs the Supreme Court's decision to overturn the "Chevron deference" and how it could impact higher education policy. From there, Karen and Jill update listeners on the latest news with the FAFSA – including when batch corrections will be available and new guidance from ED. The team also discusses new legislation in Congress – the FAFSA Deadline Act – and updates with the appropriations process.

This week on a special episode of "Off The Cuff," Justin, Karen, and Allie are joined by former OTC podcast hosts, Stephen Payne, executive director of external relations at Muhlenberg College, and Megan Coval, interim president of Butler County Community College. Karen kicks off the episode by debriefing listeners on several NASFAA letters. The first letter was sent to the Department of Education (ED) on the 2025-26 FAFSA cycle, and a second letter was  sent to Congressional leaders requesting their assistance in securing a delay until July 2025 of the GE/FVT institutional reporting requirements (5:27-14:02). After the policy team update, the whole group reminisces on the early days of the podcast and share special memories as Justin departs from his role next week. 

The last year has been a hellish one for many college financial aid directors – and, not surprisingly, for the head of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, who's leaving his role after 14 years. This episode of The Key features a conversation with Justin Draeger, who recently announced that he would soon wrap up his work as president and CEO of NASFAA for a new role leading Strada Education's efforts to make higher education more affordable. In the conversation, he discusses the impact of the FAFSA mess, possible approaches to make college more affordable, and the state of the financial aid workforce, among other topics. The Key is hosted by Inside Higher Ed Co-founder and Editor Doug Lederman. This episode is sponsored by Mongoose.

This week, on the 300th episode of “Off the Cuff,” Justin, Karen, and Allie discuss the most up-to-date FAFSA news, and preview the unique sessions being offered at the NASFAA National and Virtual Conferences. Karen kicks things off with an update on the Department of Education's (ED) FAFSA reprocessing work and outlines additional guidance that should be available in the days and weeks ahead. Justin then recaps a recent community letter that a number of higher education groups sent to Congress urging for policies that will strengthen the FAFSA process moving forward. Allie wraps things up with a preview of NASFAA's conferences and covers a few sessions she is most looking forward to.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by NASFAA Executive Vice President Beth Maglione and Director of Research Charlotte Etier to discuss Justin's announcement this week that he plans to step down from his role as NASFAA's president and CEO in June. From there, Karen debriefs listeners on more FAFSA updates, including where we stand with institutional corrections. Plus, Charlotte shares the results of NASFAA's latest poll on when institutions plan to send financial aid offers to students and what their disbursement timing may be. 

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by Jon Fansmith, the American Council on Education's senior vice president of government relations and national engagement, to discuss the latest FAFSA updates of the past week, including news on the Department of Education's reprocessing of affected Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs). From there, Karen walks through the results of this week's NASFAA poll which asked members about their institutions' plans to send financial aid offers to students. Plus, Jon debriefs listeners of the Biden administration's proposed rules on student debt relief, and where the congressional appropriations process stands.

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Karen, Rachel, and Tim discuss Justin's testimony this week before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on the Department of Education's (ED) rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA. Karen also debriefs listeners on the latest NASFAA poll asking members about which first-year undergraduate student populations, if any, they plan to send aid offers to by May 1. From there, the team discusses the latest FAFSA updates from ED on the status of reprocessing ISIRs, student corrections, and new guidance from the department. Finally, Rachel informs listeners on the latest news on the Biden administration's student debt relief plan. 

Justin Draeger, President and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, joins the ALP to share what colleagues in admissions, enrollment, student success, presidents' offices, etc. can do to support their financial aid colleagues, who are about to do 6 to 9 months of work in about 4 to 6 weeks. A deep thinker, reader, writer and speaker, Justin also shares a bunch of excellent leadership lessons, including how, as Bertrand Russell wrote, "Fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people full of doubts." Special shout-out to the Lawrence University financial aid team, "the finest team in all the land."ReferencesWhy I Choose the Harder Commute, July 2020Finding Motivation in Tough Times, August 2020Off the Cuff, NASFAA's podcastRapid DescentWalkout song: Walk This Way, Run DMC and AerosmithBest recent read: Uncultured: A Memoir, Daniella Mestyanek Young and Remarkably Bright Creatures, Shelby Van PeltEager to read next: Man's Search for Meaning, Viktor Frankl (the cost of reading a new book is not rereading one of the best books you've already read) Favorite podcast: The Gray AreaFavorite thing to make in the kitchen: simple recipes with a chef's kiss, like fried eggs and bacon with a latte.Taking and keeping notes: a complex system of handwritten notes, Evernote and Roam Research.Memorable bit of advice: "Anyone who says he has finished a canvas is terribly arrogant. 'Finished' means 'complete, perfect.'" (Claude Monet)Bucket list: walk the Camino de Santiago.The ALP is supported by RHB. Music arranged by Ryan Anselment

Hosts Jon and Mushtaq are joined by special repeat guest Justin Draeger, president and CEO of NASFAA, to talk about the Education Department's flawed rollout of the new FAFSA form and the implications for students and colleges as well as what happens next. They also dive into the proposed legislation that would extend Pell Grants to short-term career training programs.   Tweet suggestions, links, and questions to @ACEducation or podcast@acenet.edu.  House Committee Approves Bills on Short-Term Pell, WIOA Reauthorization American Council on Education | Dec. 18, 2023 Department of Education Announces Steps to Make Better FAFSA® More Readily Accessible Diverse: Issues In Higher Education | Feb. 13, 2024 Education Department Says FAFSA Fix Is Coming for Social Security Issue USA Today | Feb. 20, 2024 OPINION: Every FAFSA Delay Puts College Further Out of Reach The New York Times (sub. req.) | Feb. 8, 2024 Extending Enrollment and Financial Aid Deadlines American Council on Education

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by Hugh to recap NASFAA's 2024 Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo, and discuss the Department of Education's (ED) new "FAFSA College Support Strategy." Justin debriefs listeners on the new initiative, explains what NASFAA's partnership entails and how it will aim to help severely under-resourced institutions get ready to receive, and review, Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) in March. Additionally, the team discusses the latest news around the 2024-25 FAFSA rollout, including ED's commitment to release test versions of ISIRs by February 16, and this week's announcement that ED will significantly reduce verification requirements. 

This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by Jon Fansmith, the American Council on Education's senior vice president of government relations, to discuss this week's news that institutions and states will begin receiving Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) in the "first half of March." The team breaks down the announcement from the Department of Education, answers frequently asked questions, and shares NASFAA's efforts to advocate for financial aid offices. Additionally, the team debriefs two recent pieces of legislation, Rep. Virginia Foxx's College Cost Reduction Act and Rep. Bobby Scott's Roadmap to College Student Success.

This week on “Off the Cuff,” Justin is joined by Karen and NASFAA's Tim Maggio to discuss the biggest financial aid news so far in 2024 — the soft launch of the 2024-25 FAFSA. Justin and Karen discuss the current state of the launch, issues and outages that have impacted the form's availability, and what updates they are looking for from the Department of Education in the weeks ahead. Tim then highlights some chatter from the financial aid community, as well as some social media posts that have highlighted applicant experiences with the rollout and the form itself. The team then dives into some known issues that ED has flagged and the department's communications campaign.

This week on "Off the Cuff," Allie, Jill, and David discuss updates with the negotiated rulemaking process for student debt relief and unpack a new FAFSA term – family size. Jill kicks off the podcast by debriefing listeners on the latest negotiated rulemaking session on student debt relief, including which provisions the committee reached consensus on and where they disagreed. David then goes into the intricacies of family size, including answering different "what about" questions from NASFAA members. This is the last "Off The Cuff" episode for 2023 and NASFAA wishes everyone a happy 2024! 

This week on "Off the Cuff," Justin is joined by Karen and NASFAA's Sarah Austin to recap Federal Student Aid's (FSA) 2023 virtual training conference. The team discusses a number of sessions held throughout the four-day event and highlights their biggest takeaways from the conference, including updates on FAFSA simplification, the FAFSA partner portal, new data-sharing guidance, FSA enforcement, topics and conversations brought up in the NASFAA Slack community, and more.