Nevada Association of
Financial Aid Administrators

Conferences


For Conference Registration, select a link below 


November 1, 2023
Pre-Conference Registration - Packaging & Award Notification 
This NASFAA Authorized event is hosted by the WASFAA Training Committee and requires registration on the WASFAA website. 

November 2-3, 2023
Participant Registration  

Business Partner Sponsorship Opportunities




Agenda (subject to change)
Note: All session are in the Bordeauz/Claret Room

Wednesday, November 1
12- 5pm     Check-in  
12-1pm    Business Partner Set-up Open 
1-5pm    WASFAA Pre-Session - 
NASFAA U Credential, Packaging and Award Notification Credential


The Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA) Training Committee is offering a 1/2 day training towards the NASFAA U Credential, Packaging and Award Notification Credential. Registration for this pre-conference session can be completed here (Western Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators). The cost is $55.00 per WASFAA member or $105.00 for non-members. Registering is separate for this NASFAA Authorized event which includes; the 1/2 day training, the NASFAA U Self-Study Guide, regularly priced by NASFAA at $218, and a voucher for up to two attempts to pass the Student Eligibility credential examination.


Pre-Session Registration
Peter Goss, Portland Community College &
Shawn Domingo, Ohlone College

Thursday, November 2
 
7:30am     Check-in / Continental Breakfast 
8:30am     Welcome JW Lazzari, 
NAFAA President
8:45-9:45am    Session 1 - COA

 
Peter Goss, Portland Community College
9:45-10am   Commercial Break / Restroom Break   
10-11am    Session 2 - Professional JudgementShawn Domingo, Ohlone College
11am-12:00pmSession 3 - Can you spot the fraud? Identifying financial aid fraud on the front lines

Can you spot the fraud? Identifying financial aid fraud on the front linesJust like Financial Aid is experiencing major changes, fraud in higher education is also changing. Are you familiar with the latest tactics and common practices that fraudsters are using to gain federal financial aid? Financial aid professionals are on the front line of identifying and reporting fraud. Join us as we explore the latest attempts that fraudsters are using to target intuitions. Using real life examples, we will discuss fraud cases that have targeted financial aid offices in the last two years, and we will discuss what is predicted to be the newest trends in fraudulent behavior. We will also talk about ways to spot fraud through common behaviors being used and how to work to prevent fraud from happening at your institution.
Kristen Gast, Eide Bailly LLP
12-1pm    Hosted Lunch Buffet with Speaker - Stress & Burnout: What You Should Know & How to Manage it.

Dr. Marinela Maskuti is a public health and health policy practitioner. She has completed a Master of Public Health and Doctor of Public Policy. Currently, she serves as the Mental Health Wellness Officer for Nevada System of Higher Education, System Administration office in Las Vegas where she manages training for mental health and supervised a system-wide survey assessment for access barriers to mental health resources and services. Prior to working for NSHE, Dr. Maskuti served as the Wellness Educator for the Student Wellness Center at University of Nevada, Las Vegas. During her time at UNLV, Dr. Maskuti coordinated training courses for peer health education and managed wellness promotion, student engagement, and health education presentations with a focus on mental health and wellness. In addition to UNLV, Marinela also worked for the Southern Nevada Health District, where she administered public health educational presentations and materials specific to COVID-19 for medical providers and patient communities of diverse socioeconomic, cultural, ethnic and health backgrounds. Prior to relocating to Las Vegas and working for SNHD, Dr. Maskuti resided in Philadelphia where she worked for the University of Pennsylvania Hospital, Department of Radiation Oncology, where she supervised survivorship cancer resources for patients and organized medical provider training programs for proton radiation therapy.
 
 Dr. Marinela Maskuti
1:15-2:15pm Session 4 - "Building a Caring Neighborhood of Financial Aid: Insights from Mr. Rogers"

This uplifting presentation aims to equip financial aid administrators with the tools and mindset to support students effectively, embrace empathy, and create a positive and nurturing environment within their financial aid departments. Drawing inspiration from Mr. Rogers' timeless wisdom, administrators will be encouraged to build a caring and inclusive "neighborhood" that values each individual's unique story and circumstances, while empowering students on their educational journeys.
 
Anthony Morrone, Nevada State University
2:15-2:30pmCommercial Break / Restroom Break 
2:30-3:30pmSession 5 -
FAFSA Simplification: the 2024-2025 FAFSA
How Does Nevada Make this Happen?


On October 24, Paige and Zack provided a forum for Nevada schools to discuss preparations and challenges in implementing the new FAFSA and simplification provisions. In this session, we will continue the conversation by reviewing questions and answers raised during the forum, and presenting some challenging scenarios for consideration by the group. Get your thinking caps on!
Paige Hurley, UNR 
and
Zack Goodwin.
UNLV
3:30-4:30pm    Session 6: Leading from the Middle: What it means and how to do it well

Have you heard phrases like “managing up, leading from the middle, leading your boss” and wondered what they really mean?  I’ve heard employees say, “I can’t tell my boss what to do – they’re my boss!”  While that’s true in a sense, there are ways to better manage your time, your communication with that person, and your team’s energy to best serve your organization.  In this session you’ll learn about the benefits of leading your boss and walk away with practical tips you can use right away.
Amanda Cornelius, 
Northern Arizona University 
4:30-7pm    NAFAA Reception and Awards

Join us for a cocktail hours and Hors d'oeuvres inside of Novi!
 

Friday, November 3
7:30amFull Breakfast Opens 
8-8:30amNAFAA Business Meeting 
9- 10amSession 7: Budgeting and Financial Planning for Your Future GoalsScott Nielsen, 
Great Basin College
10-10:30amBreak / Room Checkout  
10:30-11:30amNASFAA - FAFSA Simplification Dana Kelly,
VP of Professional Development
and Institutional Compliance, NASFAA
11:30am-
12:30pm
WASFAA/NAFAA UpdateAmanda Cornelius,
Associate Vice President, 
Northern Arizona Univeristy
12:30pm Closing Remarks JW Lazzari, 
NAFAA President
 

Cost
Option 1 - $175  Registration Pricing & NAFAA Membership Dues
(23/24 Membership Expires 10/31/2024)

This package is for NAFAA Members who are inactive, joining
NAFAA for the first time and those who need to renew their
NAFAA membership
for the 2023-24 year. 

  This package includes the $20 NAFAA Membership Dues. 

 Registration includes: 

  • ­ 1.5 days of conference sessions
  • Three meals
  • Vendor Exhibits
  • NAFAA Membership Dues 

Option 2 - $155

Registration Member Pricing (for those who have already paid their 2023-24 membership dues) 

NAFAA annual membership will require renewal on 11/1/2023. If you have not yet renewed your NAFAA membership for 11/1/2023-10/31/2024, please select the other package (Registration Pricing & NAFAA Membership Dues) which will include your membership renewal. 

    Active NAFAA Members

 Registration includes: 

  • ­ 1.5 days of conference sessions
  • ­ Three meals
  • ­­ Vendor Exhibits


Hotel Information: 
NAFAA is holding a block of rooms for attendees of the Fall 2023 Conference at
Eldorado Reno Hotel & Casino, 345 N Virginia St., Reno, NV 89501
The NAFAA group rate is $45/night plus tax and resort fees. 

For room reservations, click on the following link https://book.passkey.com/go/SRNAFA3
Reference group code: SRNAFA3

The NAFAA room block rate expires Wednesday October 25th, 2023, 11:59 PM Pacific Time. 


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