Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

06/03/2026

What helps make this week so special? Our faculty! ☀️

We asked some of our faculty what they enjoy about volunteering for SILS and what they hope participants walk away with.

Their answers say it all: meaningful connection, new perspectives, and inspiration that lasts well beyond this week!

06/02/2026

What a start to MASFAA Summer Institute & Leadership Symposium! ☀️📚

We kicked off the week yesterday by welcoming attendees from across the region and diving into the Summer Institute experience. The evening gave everyone a chance to connect beyond the classroom with crafts, games, a movie, and great conversation. There was no shortage of laughter and memorable moments as new connections quickly turned into new friendships.

Today marked our first full day of sessions, with attendees engaging in credential training, leadership development, small group discussions, and collaborative learning opportunities. Throughout the day, participants challenged themselves, shared perspectives, and gained new ideas to take back to their campuses and organizations.

One of the things that makes Summer Institute so special is that learning doesn't just happen during sessions. It happens over meals, during breaks, through small group conversations, and in the moments spent getting to know colleagues who understand the unique work we do.

We're grateful for the energy, engagement, and enthusiasm everyone has brought to the week so far and we're excited for everything still to come!

05/29/2026

Congratulations to the financial aid professionals in the Midwest who earned their FAAC® designation in May. What an incredible professional milestone!

Indiana
➡ Michael Scott

Ohio
➡ Gregory Guzman

Interesting in earning your FAAC® designation? Learn more and check your eligibility on the NASFAA website: https://www.nasfaa.org/certification

05/27/2026

Excited to come back to the great state of IOWA! Have you registered yet?

Registration is OPEN for the 2026 MASFAA Conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. 🎉

MASFAA has not been hosted in Iowa in nearly a decade, and this year’s conference is designed to make the investment of time and travel truly worth it. What's even better, all Iowans will get member pricing!

New for 2026:
• Expanded session offerings
• Free Sunday preconference opportunities
• Elevated Leadership Experience
• Business Officer Track
• Wednesday Capstone Series

Join financial aid professionals from across the Midwest October 18-21 as we learn, collaborate, and navigate the future of financial aid together.

Register today: https://masfaaweb.org/conference

05/26/2026

Registration is now OPEN for the 2026 Mini-MASFAA conference, happening the week of July 20. 💻

This year’s theme, Empowering Expertise: AI as a FinAid Partner, focuses on how AI, innovation, and evolving expectations are shaping the future of financial aid.

Why attend?
• Fully virtual and affordable
• Just $50 per institution
• Great for entire teams
• Attend live or watch later
• Sessions on AI, leadership, strategy, and operations

How registration works:
Only one person from your institution needs to complete this registration and can then add additional staff as "guests". The person registering for the institution will add each guest individually during the registration process, prior to paying. It's important to note that once you have completed registration, you will not be able to add additional guests. After the registration process is complete, you and all of your guests will receive an e-mail with information explaining how to sign up for individual sessions.

Questions? Contact [email protected]

View the agenda and register:
https://masfaaweb.org/event-6693809

05/20/2026

05/13/2026

What an incredible time at the Minnesota Association of Financial Aid Administrators (MAFAA) conference with MASFAA past president, Betsy Johnson! ❤️‍🔥

Congrats to Brittany Tweed on winning the Minnesota State Leadership Award!

From engaging sessions and innovative ideas to meaningful conversations and connections, the energy and passion for serving students was on full display. It’s inspiring to see financial aid professionals come together to collaborate, learn, and continue finding ways to support student success across the region.

Thank you to everyone who planned, presented, and participated in such a fantastic conference. MAFAA truly showed the power of community, leadership, and dedication in higher education. We can’t wait to see the impact of all the great ideas shared last week!

05/13/2026

Join the MASFAA Summer Institute/Leadership Symposium co-chairs and faculty members for a “Know Before You Go” open session where you can find out details the week and ask us questions!

Two Zoom sessions will be held to try to accommodate all that have registered for SI/LS. Calendar details will be sent via email.

Come with questions and leave feeling prepared for a week of making bold moves for bright futures!

05/08/2026

Today is the final day to secure your spot for the 2026 Summer Institute and Leadership Symposium at the Early Bird rate! Prices will increase starting Saturday, May 9, so be sure to get registered today and save some money! Final registration deadline is Friday, May 22.

Not sure what experience would be the best fit for you? You can check out the agenda on the MASFAA website!

https://masfaaweb.org/SI&LS-Events

We hope to see you in Indianapolis in just a few weeks!

04/24/2026

Congratulations to the financial aid professionals across the Midwest who recently earned their FAAC® designation. What an incredible professional milestone!

Indiana
➡ Nina Carter
➡ Charlette Sauders

Iowa
➡ Gisella Baker
➡ Tim Bakula
➡ Teresa Blyther
➡ Julie Haack

Minnesota
➡ Melissa Dingmann

Ohio
➡ Scott Lehman
➡ Melissa Mccann
➡ Dennis Meadows

Your commitment to learning, growth, and serving students shines through this achievement.

With 998 FAAC® designees nationwide, the profession continues to grow stronger through leaders like you. Could someone from the MASFAA region be the 1,000th FAAC®?

The next testing window opens May 1. Check your eligibility to take the Knowledge Exam with NASFAA's interactive Eligibility Tool: https://ow.ly/xqGx50YOBtu