NeASFAA History

The Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NeASFAA) began at Kearney State College (now University of Nebraska-Kearney) in the spring of 1967. Dr. Jean Harvey, Financial Aid Administrator at Creighton University, foresaw the need for an organized professional association of financial aid officers in the state and personally contacted all of the higher education schools that were administering financial aid programs. Dr. Harvey invited them to an organizational discussion meeting in Kearney. This meeting was hosted by Donald Tewell who was, at the time, Director of Financial Aid at Kearney State.

At this meeting, it was decided that an organization was needed to accomplish the following:

• develop professionalism among aid officers of Nebraska
• provide a means to bring together aid officers for the discussion of common problems
• influence federal and state legislation dealing with student financial aid programs and provide an avenue for the dissemination of ideas and concerns of students and administrators to financial aid problems
• provide training for newly appointed aid officers
• assist secondary school counselors in their work with students in planning their future by providing timely and updated information concerning financial aid
• provide a means of affiliation with the Midwest Regional Student Financial Aid Organization.

With these goals and objectives in mind, an organizational and constitutional committee was selected, with G. Heinicke of Concordia College as Chairman. The first organizational association meeting was held in September of 1967. The association requested and received acceptance for affiliation with the Midwest Regional Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

At the Spring Meeting in 1978, the Association voted to sever affiliation with the Midwest Region and join the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

MISSION STATEMENT
The Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NeASFAA) exists primarily to promote the professional preparation, effectiveness, and mutual support of persons involved in student financial aid administration. In addition, NeASFAA exists to implement programs that will positively impact students' ability to pay for higher education programs.

In order to effectively serve the needs of its members, NeASFAA shall strive to serve in a leadership role within the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

The Association shall serve as a forum for its members and act as a focus for expressing views on matters relating to the development, funding, and administration of student financial aid.

While the Association's primary goal is to provide an avenue for preparation to those members who are directly responsible for the administration of student aid programs, NeASFAA shall strive to expand its training services to include other individuals who play a major role in assisting students in completing and paying for programs of higher education.

In order to effectively meet the goals of its mission and the diverse and changing needs of the post-secondary education community, NeASFAA seeks to maintain a spirit of cooperation and an approach that is flexible, equitable, and innovative.

PURPOSE
NeASFAA exists to:

• develop professionalism among aid officers of Nebraska
• provide a means to bring together aid officers for the discussion of common problems
• influence federal and state legislation dealing with student financial aid programs and provide an avenue for the dissemination of ideas and concerns of students and administrators in financial aid problems
• provide training for newly appointed aid officers
• assist secondary school counselors in their work with students in planning their future by providing timely and updated information concerning financial aid
• provide a means of affiliation with the Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA) and the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

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PAST PRESIDENT

Bob Minturn Special Recognition Award

The Nebraska Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NeASFAA) established the Robert Minturn Service Award in 1973 in memory of Mr. Robert Minturn who served as Director of Financial Aid at Creighton University from January 1971 to August 1972. This award is given annually to an outstanding financial aid officer who is a NeASFAA member in recognition of their leadership activities within the financial aid profession.

The NeASFAA Executive Committee selects the recipient and the presentation is made at the spring meeting.

On January 19, 1981, the award name was changed to the "Bob Minturn Special Recognition Award" by a vote of the Executive Council.

Recipients:

Distinguished Service Award

Recipients of this award are recognized for their outstanding achievements in the financial aid profession. Individuals must have demonstrated outstanding service in pursuing NeASFAA's mission over the past year, and the award will be presented at NeASFAA's Spring Conference.

Recipients:

Rookie of the Year

Special recognition is given to a NeASFAA member for their first major contribution to NeASFAA; not just their first year in the financial aid profession. Individuals are recognized at NeASFAA's Spring Conference.

Recipients:

Feel the Excitement Award

This award is presented to a NeASFAA member who has demonstrated outstanding service to their community. NeASFAA honors members who volunteer, lead a special project or work tirelessly to educate or promote awareness about an important issue. Recipients are honored at NeASFAA's Spring Conference.

Recipients:

2016-2017 Joan Jurek, EducationQuest Foundation
2012-2013 Craig Munier, University of Nebraska - Lincoln
2011-2012 Matt Johnson, University of Nebraska - Kearney
2010-2011 Ritchie Morrow, Coordinating Comm. For Postsecondary Education
2009-2010 Kent Wolfe, NSLP
2007-2008 Kyle Rose, Wayne State College
2006-2007 Mark Araujo, Nebraska Methodist College of Nursing
2003-2004 Steve Millnitz, Central Community College - Grand Island
2002-2003 Dale Brown, Grace University
2001-2002 Stacey Musil, FES
2000-2001 Mark Schilmoeller , Nelnet
1999-2000 Joan Zanders, Northeast Community College
1998-1999 Phyllis Doughman, Metro Community College
 

Committee of the Year

This award is presented to a NeASFAA committee whose leadership and work made a significant contribution, which benefited the association. The chair and committee members are recognized at NeASFAA's Spring conference.

Recipients:

2015-2016 Membership Connections Committee - Lani Swanson, Nebraska Wesleyan University, and Renee Besse, University of Nebraska - Kearney
2014-2015 Professional Development Committee - Mary Sommers, University of Nebraska - Kearney
2013-2014 Professional Development Committee - Laura Schultz, Wells Fargo and Ritchie Morrow, Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education
2012-2013 Corporate Development Committee - Don Bueher, Nelnet and Stacy Seim, EducationQuest
2011-2012 Professional Development Committee – Beth Sisk, College of Saint Mary and Jodi Vanden Berge, EducationQuest Foundation – Kearney
2010-2011 Finance and Audit
2009-2010 Communications - Bailey Nelsen, Chair
2008-2009 Professional Development Committee -“ Vicki Kucera, Chair
2007-2008 Communications, Les Monroe
2006-2007 Professional Development Committee - Mary Sommers
2005-2006 Professional Development Committee - Mary Sommers
2004-2005 Communications, Peggy Trvdy
2003-2004 Membership
2002-2003 Finance and Audit
2001-2002 Professional Development Committee - Daphne Hall, Chair
2000-2001 Association Governance - Mary Sommers, Chair
1999-2000 Communications - Dianne Fick, Chair
1998-1999 Awards - C.J. Thoma, Chair
1997-1998 Communications - Kelly Muthersbaugh, Chair
1996-1997 Communications - Renee Besse, Chair
1995-1996 Early Awareness - Paula Kohles, Chair