Author: Jill

March 30, 2026 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Jillian Glaze Senior Director, Student Financial Services Bunker Hill Community College The Kennedy Award is named in honor of the late Senator Kennedy in recognition of his advocacy for the needy and underserved and his tireless fight to expand financial...

March 24, 2026 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] April Lombardi Assistant Director of Financial Aid New England Law- Boston April was nominated by Jenny Aguiar, who wrote: “April has worked in various offices on campus and has remained dedicated to financial aid. She has a strong attention to...

March 13, 2026 in News, Slider

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]We're excited to invite you to the Colleague User Spring Round Table, hosted by MASFAA on Thursday, April 24 at 3:00 PM — virtually! Whether you've been using Colleague for years or are still finding your footing, this...

February 13, 2026 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Register now for this year's Graduate/Professional Symposium!  Our theme this year is Resilience through Change and we have a packed agenda including an OB3 Round Table discussion, Federal Updates, Private Loan Planning Resources and more!  Don't miss...

November 26, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Carla Minchello Director of Financial Aid Wheaton College Carla was nominated by Susan Beard, who wrote: “It is my great honor and distinct pleasure to wholeheartedly nominate Carla Minchello for the MASFAA Presidential Award. Carla is the very epitome of...

November 24, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] Delaney Walat Assistant Director of Financial Aid Anna Maria College Delaney was nominated by Nicole Lenares-Vaillancourt and Matt Gingras, who wrote: “Since starting at Anna Maria College, Delaney immediately excelled in her role as a financial aid counselor. She quickly...

November 24, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] MassEdCo MASFAA is pleased to award the 2025 Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award to MassEdCO.  This distinguished award recognizes the sustained service of a champion advocating for the needs and rights of underserved individuals while promoting student...

November 17, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]December 1 4:00-5:00 Feeling a little cross-eyed from reading all the updates? You’re not alone! Join your fellow financial aid administrators for a relaxed, open conversation about everyone’s favorite topic—OBBB. Bring your questions, your frustrations, your campus concerns, and...

October 23, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]This one-hour virtual session will explore how financial aid professionals can strengthen collaboration with campus partners to better support first-generation college students. Drawing on my experience leading the FIRST Resource Center and the BLAST and BEST programs...

September 04, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]Our first webinar will cover three very different topics. First, we’ll look at tax and need analysis related changes to the 2026-2027 financial aid cycle and the 2024 tax return. This will include a look at the...

September 03, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""] We’re excited to announce that registration is officially open for the MASFAA Conference 2025! 📍 Location: Wellsworth Hotel, Southbridge, MA📅 Dates: November 19-21, 2025 This year’s theme, See the Way, Build the Bridge, invites us to look ahead with...

August 08, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]See the Way. Build the Bridge. We’re turning insight into action, challenges into connections, and seeking engaging sessions that help our community: Illuminate new paths for access and success Solve practical problems with innovative strategies Share bold solutions...

August 07, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]MASFAA's Just the FACTS! Training Series is designed to meet the needs of new financial aid professionals with less than two years of experience.  Receive comprehensive training and build your professional network with this three session training presented by MASFAA's Professional...

August 07, 2025 in News

[vc_row css_animation="" row_type="row" use_row_as_full_screen_section="no" type="full_width" angled_section="no" text_align="left" background_image_as_pattern="without_pattern"][vc_column][vc_column_text css=""]MASFAA recognizes Jonathan Brett, Boston University Medical Campus, as Volunteer of the Year. Jonathan is recognized for a long standing commitment to leadership in the Graduate and Professional Concerns space within MASFAA, most notably, the renewal of the...

April 01, 2025 in News

The Massachusetts Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) would like to express our disappointment in the administration’s recent decision to eliminate a significant number of positions from the Department of Education, including more than 600 positions from the office of Federal Student Aid. The...

March 31, 2025 in News

It's time to vote! Elections for 2025-2026 Executive Council members is now live.  Voting will be open through Friday, April 12 at 5:00pm.  Meet this year's candidates and submit your ballot today!...

March 17, 2025 in News

Join us for an opportunity to discuss topics important to those working with graduate and professional students and their financial aid.  The day will include a federal update and opportunities for round table discussion. Register Now!...

February 07, 2025 in News

Please consider joining us for our annual FWE Committee Symposium which will include a keynote address from Dr. Anthony Jack of Boston University.  The Symposium will be held on Wednesday, March 5 from 8:30 to 2:30 and will be hosted at Assumption University. Register Now! ...

January 27, 2025 in News

The Round Table will provide an opportunity to connect with peers that are utilizing Ellucian Colleague to listen, learn, share, ask, and maximize the impact of the software at your institution! Register Now!...

November 26, 2024 in News

Alyssa Foss Mount Holyoke College Charles E. Jones Achievement Award To recognize the achievements and development of a "new"(3 years or less) financial aid administrator   This is what the nominator, Kate, had to say about our recipient: As leaders in the aid community, we know how much the success...

November 26, 2024 in News

Amy Staffier Simmons University MASFAA Presidential Award To recognize outstanding service and time dedicated to MASFAA during the past year   This is what our nominators, Jill and Jeff, had to say about the recipient: This person has been a vital member of MASFAA throughout her career. Most recently, she has...

November 26, 2024 in News

Robert Weinerman Iron Bridge Resources Charles "Jack" Sheehan Distinguished Service Award To recognize service to the financial aid profession   This is what our nominators, James and Lauren, had to say about the recipient: We can think of no one more deserving than this person of such a prestigious honor. In...

November 26, 2024 in News

Mike Goodwin Williams College Edward M. Kennedy Public Service Award To recognize sustained services as a champion for the needs of disadvantaged groups and to promote student advocacy   This is what the nominator, Jennifer, had to say about the recipient: It is with privilege that I nominate my colleague for...

November 13, 2024 in News

Each year MASFAA's members help hundreds of students and families complete FAFSAs through programs like MEFA's FAFSA Festival and our own FAFSA Day Massachusetts.  Because you are a financial aid professional, your knowledge, assistance, and words of encouragement are invaluable to students and families starting...

October 30, 2024 in News

Massachusetts Community College Financial Aid Administrators have seen rapid change in their work over the past several years.  Join Keisa Davis-Rezendes, MASFAA Member at Large for 2 year public institution, for a discussion of the current financial aid landscape. We will have the opportunity to...

October 24, 2024 in News

Entering Student Loan Repayment Strategies Tuesday November 5 at 12:00 Student loan borrowers--especially those who have yet to enter repayment--are facing a myriad of challenges as repayment plans, forgiveness and cancellation options and the impacts of non-payment seem to change on a weekly basis.  For borrowers who...