It’s Financial Aid Day! And while Hallmark may not have a card (yet), we want to take the time to celebrate YOU - the amazing financial aid professionals who make a difference, every day, to the students you support. Your guidance and dedication truly make an impact on students as they pursue their goals and achieve their dreams.
We know being a financial aid professional isn’t easy. And we know, because we’ve been there. Our team includes financial aid professionals who have decades of experience in higher education financial aid. And it’s this experience and expertise that not only gives us the ability to help you manage complex scenarios, compete for top students, and exceed your enrollment goals, but also to understand your passion for what you do.
Because in financial aid, it’s all about the students. Whether you’re helping a first-generation student and their parents navigate the FAFSA or offering a top prospect an institutional scholarship, these everyday acts add up. And while sometimes it may feel like they go unnoticed, they don’t. Every student who walks through your door benefits from the support you and your team provide. And that’s a reason to celebrate.
In their recent blog post, NASFAA shared their ideas for how to celebrate Financial Aid Day. And whether you try out one of their suggestions, or create one of your own, we hope you will take the time today to pause, reflect, and salute the great work you do, every single day.
We know there are challenges in financial aid. And with FAFSA Simplification right around the corner, we know you’re experiencing stress, frustration, and confusion. That’s why we’ve created a checklist to help you prepare for FAFSA Simplification. In it, you’ll find the resources you need to stay informed on the latest news and information, questions to ask your financial aid vendor to ensure your system is ready for the changes, and what you need to share with your colleagues across the institution so they are prepared for the changes, too.
On October 24, 2011, Rep. Timothy Bishop (D-N.Y.), took to the floor of the US House of Representatives to pay tribute to “the role financial aid professionals across the United States play in helping students realize their dream of attaining a college education.”
Today, we echo his tribute and add our own: