It's a leap year! People born on February 29th (roughly .07% of the U.S. population) are called "leapers." Not to be confused with larpers, which is an entirely different rabbit hole.

In this edition:

• Pleased to meet you
• It's Milwaukeean, not Milwaukeeite
• And I ran. I ran so far away.
• What shows are you watching?

It's Me. Hi. I'm the Newbie, It's Me.

Hello NASFAA Associate Members! I'm excited to be your new Manager of Corporate Partnerships; in other words, I'm here to help you get the most out of your membership, and serve as your main point of contact for all things NASFAA.

I have always worked in higher ed, starting as a Federal Work-Study employee (as many of us do), and then working in just about every department on campus. I most recently spent 10 years as the VP of Student Success at Inceptia, so I know firsthand what it is to be an associate member. I hope to use that perspective to represent all of you well as the internal voice here at NASFAA, advocating for how we can best serve you.

I'll also be responsible for filling this newsletter with as many corny jokes and puns as I can fit in the space allowed.

I'm looking forward to working with all of you, so please feel free to reach out for help, questions, or just to chat or share pet pics. Here's an icebreaker to get us started:

Two truths and a lie

• I've slipped a Simpsons GIF into almost every webinar/conference presentation I've done.
• I can speak three languages (not fluently, but enough to find the restroom).
• I've never had chicken pox.

Cheese Curds, and Tyme Machines, and Fonz, Oh My!

(Registration Is Open for the National Conference)

Milwaukee, here we come! The NASFAA 2024 National Conference is in "Brew City" from June 16-19, and registration/exhibiting is now open.

If you haven't already, head over to our site to explore the exhibitor and sponsorship opportunities, like purchasing a booth space, business seminar, platinum/gold/silver sponsorship, or (my personal fave) put your logo on our swag!

Sign up now to lock in your choices and create a game plan to make the most of your time at National Conference.

Become an Exhibitor/Sponsor

To get you started, here's how to blend in like a local:

• Eat cheese. Specifically, cheese curds. Hot. Cold. Restaurant. Gas station. Doesn't matter. Eat them. Eat all the cheese.
• What we call an ATM, Milwaukeeans call TYME machines.
• Adding an "eh?" on the end of a sentence is the ultimate local lingo, eh?
• Native son Arthur "Fonz" Fonzarelli is memorialized with the Bronze Fonz statue in downtown Milwaukee (photo op!). Yes, we just dated ourselves with a "Happy Days" reference.

The Fine Print: New Exhibiting Policies

Our exhibiting information and policies page has been updated, with a link to our new terms and conditions. Please take a moment to familiarize yourself with these important guidelines, as they outline NASFAA's rules of engagement regarding gifts, promotional activities, scheduling events during the conference, and more.

High 5 for 5K Sponsors

We've still got a runner's high from last year's NASFAA 5K, thanks in no small part to those organizations who sponsored the event. We appreciate your generosity, and our runners do, too!

Best Practice Solutions | College Ave Student Loans | College Board | Discover Student Loans | Earnest | Ellucian | Inceptia | Nelnet Bank | Ocelot | Sallie Mae

 The 2023 event allowed us to raise $9,689.95 for Students Without Limits, a 501c3 nonprofit organization in San Diego that provides legal, mental health, and continuing education support to underserved minority and immigrant teens from low-income families who will be first-generation college students. What a fantastic show of support from the NASFAA community!

We hope to raise even more this year, as the 5K returns in Milwaukee. We've selected another excellent local charity to support, so stay tuned for more information and start foam rolling those quads and hammies!

Coming  ComiComingUp

 Starting the year off with a bang! Lots going on in early 2024; to see all upcoming events, head to NASFAA's Events Calendar. Even better, bookmark it!

February

• 4-7: NASFAA Leadership & Legislative Conference & Expo
• 8: Jill Desjean presents at the NCHER Legislative and Leadership Meeting
• 12: NASFAA U Application Processing Online Course Begins
• 13: Karen McCarthy presents virtually at CECU's FAFSA Simplification Webinar
• 21: NASFAA Webinar: Deep Dive Into the Student Aid Index
• 25-28: Justin Draeger and Dana Kelly present at the SASFAA Annual Conference

March

• 1-21: Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Knowledge Exam window open
• 4-5: Helen Faith presents & Karen McCarthy present at the California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
• 4-6: Justin Draeger presents virtually at the Illinois (ILASFAA) Annual Conference
• 11-13: Helen Faith presents at the Indiana (ISFAA) Annual Conference
• 12: NASFAA U Need Analysis/Pell Online Course Begins
• 13: NASFAA Webinar: Graduate and Professional Community Update
• 18: NASFAA U Satisfactory Academic Progress Online Course Begins
• 19: Justin Draeger presents at NACUBO 2024 Student Financial Services Conference
• 20: Jill Desjean presents at the College Savings Foundation Conference
• 20: NASFAA Enrichment Series Webinar: TBD
• 21-22: Nebraska (NeASFAA) Annual Conference
• 24-27: Tennessee (TASFAA) Annual Conference

Just Because and Let's Chat

This month's just because is hey, I finally watched the show Beef and whoo boy, it was a wild ride (road rage pun intended). I was curious to check it out after seeing it sweep the awards shows this season and, having binged it all in one sitting, I can see why. If you have Netflix, DON'T WATCH THIS AT WORK! Wait till you get home then give it a whirl and let me know what you think. I am forever changed by the panic room scene.

But also, I want to hear from you about actual NASFAA stuff! If you have feedback on the content of this newsletter, and I hope you do, tell me all about it. My emails are always open!