Benchmarking Surveys
NASFAA uses a variety of benchmarking surveys and tools to determine what's happening in the field and among your peers, as reported by our members.
This tool allows you to compare your staff size to similar institutions and get an analysis of where you stand. Our Staffing Model allows you to enter a number of variables that are statistically significant in determining staff size in financial aid offices, and generates a custom report that measures your institution's staffing level against other institutions operating in similar circumstances. We encourage you to review the NASFAA Staffing Model Usage Guide to better understand the data used to calculate this output.
Previous NASFAA Benchmarking and Salary Reports
NASFAA 2023 Benchmarking Report
This report presents findings from the 2022-23 NASFAA Benchmarking Survey. Where possible, this report shows trends in data over time.
Financial Aid Offices Face Intensifying Staffing Challenges Amid Pandemic - To learn what impacts the pandemic has had on financial aid staffing, NASFAA conducted a brief online survey in March 2022 to NASFAA member institutions and a follow-up survey to non-completers in May 2022.
2021 NASFAA Benchmarking: Salary Update Brief - NASFAA worked with the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources (CUPA-HR) to produce a brief with updated financial aid-related salary information for publication in 2021.
2019 NASFAA Benchmarking Report
This report presents findings from the 2018 NASFAA Benchmarking Survey, which updates reports from 1995 - 2017. Where possible, this report shows trends in data over time.
2017 NASFAA Benchmarking Report
This report presents findings from the 2016 NASFAA Benchmarking Survey, which updates the 1995, 1999, 2006, 2012, and 2016 reports. Where possible, this report shows trends in data overtime.
2016 NASFAA Benchmarking Report
This report presents findings from the 2015 NASFAA Benchmarking Survey (formerly NASFAA Salary Model Survey and NASFAA Staffing Model Report), which updates the 1995, 1999, 2006, and 2012 reports.
2012 Salary Model & Benchmarking Report
This report presents several descriptive findings from the 2012 NASFAA Salary Model Survey.
The State of Salary Compensation for Financial Aid Administrators and Staff: A Report on the 2007 NASFAA Staff Salary Survey
The 2007-08 Research Committee conducted this survey to update our understanding of key factors affecting salaries. Fringe benefits are included in this survey because they are an important aspect of staff retention and recruitment.
Key Factors in Compensation of Financial Aid Administrators and Staff: A Report on the 2003 NASFAA Salary Survey
Factors that influence the twelve-month salary of financial aid administrators and staff. A self-assessment model is included to assist managers in analyzing normalized salary ranges.