Getting Involved in NASFAA 2 Dan Mann, NASFAA National Chair National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators 1

Getting Involved in NASFAA Advocacy the act or process of supporting a cause or proposal : the act or process of advocating something advocate: a person who argues for or supports a cause or policy

First Amendment Roots “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances.”

Why does advocacy matter? With Congress consistently caught in gridlock, it’s more important than ever to make sure your voice is heard in policy debates, especially on issues that could affect you on a daily basis. Members of Congress and their staff are most interested in the day-to-day concerns of their constituents in their state or district.

Advocacy Basics Advocacy is not always lobbying, but lobbying is always advocacy. You don’t need to be in Washington, D.C. to be an effective advocate. Advocacy can and should be proactive and reactive. Effective advocacy uses data, research, and stories.

Advocacy Tips and Tricks Know your topic. Keep it local. Keep it personal to you and your institution. Understand the position of the Member of Congress you’re meeting with. Keep it factual. If you don’t know the answer, just say so! Always follow-up.

NASFAA and Advocacy

What does NASFAA do? Organizes Advocacy Pipelines Distributes Original Research from NASFAA Task Force and Working Group Reports and Papers Advocates for NASFAA members with Congress, Administration, and Department of Education Participates in Coalition Groups and Associations Holds Briefings for Congressional Staff on Student Aid Issues

Our advocacy efforts center around these major policy areas: What do we advocate? Our advocacy efforts center around these major policy areas: Increasing access to higher education, including early awareness and outreach  Simplifying student aid systems   Encouraging college persistence & completion Promoting college savings and financial education Minimizing student indebtedness and emphasizing grant and work aid Supporting the primacy of need-based aid

NASFAA’s Advocacy Audience Administration Department of Education Office of Management and Budget Congress House & Senate Education Committees House & Senate Appropriations Committees House & Senate Budget Committees Other Higher Education Associations & Organizations

Congressional Overview

Washington Political Climate Gridlock with minor issues disrupting entire process Partisanship Brinkmanship Deficit Reduction Budget Politics Dictating Policy 2016 Elections

Congressional Approval Numbers

Advocacy and You: What Can You Do? Volunteer! Advocacy Pipeline Task Force or Working Group Write and Visit Your Member of Congress Share your advocacy efforts with NASFAA, so we can support and assist you in your efforts. Stay Informed on What’s Happening Read NASFAA’s Today’s News and Policy and Advocacy webpages on nasfaa.org Check out NASFAA’s new Legislative Tracker! www.nasfaa.org/legislative_tracker

Task Forces and Working Groups 2/16-7/16 Compliance Engine 1/16-7/16 National Conference Local Arrangements 7/15-3/16 National Conference Program 7/15-3/16 Enrollment Management 7/15-3/16 Leadership Conference & Expo 6/14-7/16 50th Anniversary 8/15-7/16 Consumer Info & Law Student Debt 8/15-10/15 Dynamic Loan Limits Working Group 10/15-3/16 One Grant/One Loan 8/15-1/16 Lack of Graduate Specific Data 9/15-6/16 Policy Rapid Response Network 2/16-6/16 Webinar Working Group 3/16-7/16 Thought Force on Aligning State, Regional and National Efforts 5/16-7/16 2016 Conference Mentor Task Force

Task Forces and Working Groups (cont.) Current 10/15-3/17 PPY Implementation 6/16-9/16 Assessing Tuition- and Debt-Free Higher Education 7/16-3/17 2017 National Conference Program Task Force Future 10/16-6/17 2017 National Conference Local Arrangements Cost of Attendance Construction Working Group Policies & Procedures Compliance Engine Module Implementation Task Force Graduate and Professional Loan Limits

www.nasfaa.org/volunteer_information

Getting Involved in NASFAA Training The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)  provides professional development for financial aid administrators;

Present in NASFAA Webinars Federal Income Taxes Demystified - October 12, 2016 Using NASFAA Tools: Compliance Engine - November 9, 2016 Citizenship Issues: Eligibility and Non-Citizen Concerns - November 16, 2016 NASFAA Policy Update - December 6, 2016 Title IV Eligibility: Adding Programs - December 14, 2016 Transfer Student Mashup: Test Your Knowledge - January 18, 2017 NASFAA Compliance Tools for Financial Aid Directors - January 25, 2017 Pell Recalculations: Required and Optional - February 1, 2017 Gainful Employment Issues - February 22, 2017 Graduate Professional Town Hall - March 1, 2017 NASFAA Compliance Tools for Compliance Officers - March 8, 2017 Verification and Professional Judgment in a PPY World - March 22, 2017 Return of Title IV Funds: Common Questions and Common Audit Findings – April 12, 2017 Cash Management: Moving Beyond the Tiers - May 10, 2017 Using NASFAA Tools: Standards of Excellence Review Program - May 17, 2017 NASFAA Policy Update - May 23, 2017 Documentation: What, When, and Why - June 7, 2017

NASFAA University Instructors

Present at the NASFAA Conference NASFAA 2017 National Conference session proposals can be submitted through October 21. Submit a session proposal today.

NASFAA Governance The NASFAA Board of Directors: The National Chair, Chair-Elect, Past-National Chair Treasurer Six Representatives at Large Six Regional Presidents President & CEO Secretary Nominate Colleagues to Serve on the NASFAA Board by October 28! One of our greatest resources is our volunteer leadership. Every year, over 300 members volunteer their expertise, influencing the development of NASFAA programs, products, and services.