Aug. 12, 2008 -- David Gruen, University of Wyoming Student Financial Aid Director, is the national chairman for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). His term is through July 2009.
Gruen, selected during the association's recent annual conference, will represent and lead NASFAA, an organization that represents approximately15,000 financial aid professionals at more than 3,000 institutions of post-secondary education, as well as others with an interest in assisting students to go to college.
The national organization supports financial aid professionals at universities, colleges and career schools across the country. The association also works to improve the administration of financial aid, the delivery of financial assistance to students and guidance to Congress on issues concerning financial aid for college attendance.
Each of the association's members has one vote during the annual election and this past year Gruen served as the national chair-elect. He has served NASFAA in several capacities, including on the board of directors for six years and three years as a representative-at-large, which also involved a national election process.
"I am truly excited to represent the wonderful financial aid professionals throughout Wyoming and in institutions across the country," Gruen says. "This added visibility for the University of Wyoming and for the state's students will bring Wyoming values and perspective into the discussions that will take place."
He says his tenure as the national chairman will have its own challenges with a new president and Congress bringing ideas to the issues of access to college for citizens and with the implementation of the recently-passed Higher Education Opportunity Act.
"Throughout the year, I will be promoting and supporting need-based financial aid by embracing the twin goals of access and choice for students," Gruen says. "I plan to accomplish this through promoting NASFAA, the financial aid profession and volunteerism, increasing communication and strengthening the association's partnerships with Congress and other professional education associations. I have also chosen autism as my charity of choice and will be promoting autism education as I travel this year."
Gruen counsels and assists UW students and their parents with all aspects of college financial planning. He joined UW in 2002, directing an office which awards nearly $80 million annually in scholarships, grants, loans and work opportunities.
He received a B.S. (1968) in math education and an M.S. (1971) in college student personnel services from Eastern Illinois University.
Posted 08/13/08 to www.NASFAA.org. Posting of press releases is done as a service to Members and does not imply endorsement or support by NASFAA. NASFAA does not review this information for content or accuracy.
