If you are at all familiar with Web Sites, you should have little problem maneuvering through the new NASFAA Web Site. This document discusses in brief the key elements of the NASFAA Home Page at www.NASFAA.org.
First, a few important notes and comments.
1. Web Browsers. NASFAA is viewed best by using the latest version of Microsoft Internet Explorer. While other browsers will work, certain aspects of the NASFAA Web site will not be displayed in its intended format. You should, however, be able to view nearly every document posted on the Web site regardless of which browser you use.
2. IDs and Passwords. Since the NASFAA Web Site is a benefit of Association Membership, some areas of the site are password protected. You do not have to enter your ID and Password until you click on a protected link, at which point you will be prompted for this information. You can have your computer remember your ID and Password so you don't have to reenter it each day by clicking the "Check to save password on this machine" box. If you forget your Password, click on the "Request New Web ID / Password" link in the Association News/Resources area. You will be asked for your e-mail address, and your ID and Password will be sent to that mailbox.
3. Feedback. With advances in our Web Site comes advances in our distribution list. NASFAA's distribution list expands from about 2,500 to over 10,000 financial aid professionals at NASFAA Member institutions! While we want to hear what you think about the site and any issues you may be facing, 10,000+ users may generate a fair number of e-mails. We'll respond to your concerns as quickly as possible. General questions and comments about the Web Site should go to Web@NASFAA.org. Questions or comments about IDs and Passwords should go to WebAccess@NASFAA.org.
Following are brief descriptions of the main areas of the NASFAA Home Page at www.NASFAA.org
Today's News. The current day's Today's News is featured in the center of the Home Page, usually posted by mid-morning each weekday. It provides a summary of all articles and documents posted to the site the previous day, as well as current day news from the national and education media. Directly under each headline is the link to the full text of the article or document. The e-mail version of Today's News is sent shortly after it is posted on-line. An archive of previous Today's News files may be accessed from the link near the top of the left-hand column of the home page; an ID and password are required to read an archived Today's News. PLEASE NOTE: Do not reply to the Today's News e-mail; NASFAA will not receive your message. If you want to send us e-mail, use the address Web@NASFAA.org.
NASFAA Newsletter. The weekly Newsletter gives you all the Today's News abstracts from the previous week, as well as a list of Consituent News releases and job classified ads. The NASFAA Newsletter may be accessed from the top link on the left column of the Home Page. An ID and password are required.
Left Column Menus. At the top of the left column is a list of 14 subject areas where most information on the Web Site resides. Moving your mouse cursor over most areas will display a drop-down menu showing what information is available under each particular subject. This feature eliminates the need to repeatedly "click and return" to find what you want. Each drop-down list first displays areas with menus of articles or documents, and then displays direct links to tools and resources.
NASFAA Shortcuts. The NASFAA Shortcuts list at the bottom of the Home Page left column provides direct links to frequently accessed tools and resources.
Top Tabs. At the top of the Home Page is a series of seven tabs that will take you to major areas of the Web site.
- Home/News will return you to the Home Page.
- Membership Center allows you to access the NASFAA membership database to update your personal records with changes in your name, address, phone, e-mail, etc. You can also change your Web Site ID and Password, see lists of regional and state presidents and NASFAA committees, search the NASFAA Membership Directory, and more. PLEASE NOTE that while the Membership Center may be accessed from the NASFAA Web site, it is actually an autonomous site that is tied into the NASFAA Database. This accounts for a look and navigation that differs from the www.NASFAA.org.
- Events Calendar provides the date, activity, and location for financial aid workshops, conferences, and meetings. You can directly access future years by making a selection from the left-hand column.
- NASFAA Catalog is a convenient summary of the Association's publications, tools, and services. It includes links to those items available on the Web Site and ordering information for other items. The contents of the NASFAA Catalog appear in the left-hand column.
- Guests is an area intended for financial aid administrators and others who do not have a Web Site ID. It includes information on the Association and how to join. In addition, the left-hand column provides links to areas of the Web Site that non-Members might have a need to access (such as to place or view a job ad or obtain information on the Sponsored Research Grant Program) or programs in which non-Members may participate (such as the National Conference, training, and the Standards of Excellence Review Program).
- Parents and Students leads to www.StudentAid.org, a NASFAA Web site that provides links to NASFAA, ED, and other resources of interest to parents and students.
- Encyclopedia provides access to the NASFAA Encyclopedia for subscribers.
In The News. At the top of the right-hand column are direct links to recent news items of continuing interest.
Search. You can search the Web Site using the Search tools located to the right of the NASFAA.org logo at the top of the Home Page. For a simple search of the entire Web Site, type your search word or phrase into the box and click "go." You can use such standard search parameters as AND, OR, and NEAR. You also can search for a specific phrase by "enclosing the phrase in quotation marks." For a more directed search, including parameters such as a date range, click on "power search."
Print/Save Friendly. Even simple-looking Web pages can contain complex coding that make printing or saving documents difficult. To avoid these hazards, NASFAA offers a "print/save friendly version." When you select an article or document to read, you'll see the "print/save friendly version" link in the upper right corner. If you click on the link it will display the article or document in a separate browser window. You can then use the controls in the new browser window to print or save the document. When done, just close the browser window.
There is much more to see on the NASFAA Web Site. We hope you can take some time to explore the Site. If you have any comments or concerns about the site, please address them to Web@NASFAA.org.
