1. Getting Involved in NASFAA2
Dan Mann, NASFAA National Chair
National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators 1

2. 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

3. 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.”

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. NASFAA and Advocacy

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. Congressional Overview

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

13. Congressional Approval Numbers

14. 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!

15. 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/ Conference Mentor Task Force

16. 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/ National Conference Program Task Force
Future
10/16-6/ National Conference Local Arrangements
Cost of Attendance Construction Working Group
Policies & Procedures Compliance Engine Module Implementation Task Force
Graduate and Professional Loan Limits

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

19. 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

20. NASFAA University Instructors

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

22. 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.