Industry News

 NASFAA�s LearnStudentAid.org Celebrates First Anniversary

On-line registrations now being accepted for courses that begin September 1, 2005 and later

Washington, DC - August 22, 2005 LearnStudentAid.org, the first learning community on the Web created by financial aid administrators for financial aid administrators, celebrated its first anniversary during the annual conference of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) this past July.

In this first year alone, 230 participants completed 786 courses. Feedback has been very positive. Marilyn Krump, from the University of Wisconsin Colleges wrote, �The technology was great. I signed up for the course so that I would know what I was supporting when I was encouraging others on the staff to also take courses. It is a great economical way to receive good training.�

�I was surprised at the detail in the information and the quizzes,� noted Patty Harris, a course mentor and Director of Financial Aid at William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota. �This technology has the potential to present financial aid concepts in a consistent format that becomes a �starting point� for any new financial aid staffer's understanding of their own institution�s policies and practices.�

The four courses currently being offered, which are part of the Financial Aid Fundamental series, were updated for 2005-06 by NASFAA�s team of technical staff members. Courses that begin September 1 will include the updated material, as well as other improvements suggested by course participants.

�Interaction and collaboration are essential elements of the online community,� comments LearnStudentAid.org program director Ellen Blackmun. �Suggestions from participants help everyone learn.�

For more information, course descriptions, and to register for courses, please visit www.LearnStudentAid.org, email learnstudentaid@nasfaa.org or call 202-785-0452 x172.

LearnStudentAid.org

About NASFAA

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 11,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators. Each year, members help more than 8 million students receive funding for postsecondary education. In addition to its member Web site at www.NASFAA.org, the Association offers a Web site with financial aid information for parents and students at www.StudentAid.org.

Website: http://www.nasfaa.org