March 31, 2026
Day 1

Conquering the Cosmic Voids of a Prison Education Program
Pima Community College has sought to maximize learner services and success in the Prison Education Program offered at the Arizona State Prison Complex – Tucson. The College has faced challenges in providing financial aid assistance and student support services, including tutoring, academic advising, technical support, library resources, consumer information, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) assistance. By adapting to the secure learning environment's circumstances, PCC staff have collaborated to address obstacles and offer services consistent with those provided online and on main campuses.

Presented By:
Juanita Bonillas, Manager of Scholarships, Outreach and Prison Education, Pima Community College 

Alex Beer, Assistant Prison Program Manager, Pima Community College 

Catalina 

Supporting Mixed-Status Students Through FAFSA: Practical Guidance for Financial Aid Offices

Financial aid professionals are often the first—and sometimes only—point of contact for students and families navigating FAFSA completion and college affordability. For mixed-status and undocumented students, these interactions are shaped by fear, misinformation, data-sharing concerns, and uncertainty around eligibility following recent FAFSA changes. This session is designed to strengthen institutional capacity to support these students through clear, accurate, and trauma-informed financial aid practices.Grounded in Aliento’s Educational Professional Development framework, this session provides financial aid administrators with a practical overview of how FAFSA processes intersect with mixed-status family dynamics. Topics include FAFSA completion for U.S. citizen students with undocumented parents, common concerns around data and parental information, frequent citizenship-related questions, and how FAFSA simplification has shifted both real and perceived barriers for families. The session also contextualizes in-state tuition eligibility under Proposition 308 and outlines financial aid pathways that exist outside of Title IV.Participants will engage with real-world scenarios frequently encountered in financial aid offices, with an emphasis on communication strategies, appropriate referrals, and institutional best practices when students fall outside traditional eligibility frameworks. Rather than focusing on legal interpretation, this session centers on what financial aid teams can do—compliantly and confidently—to reduce misinformation, respond to family concerns, and build trust. This is not a technical FAFSA training. Instead, it is a professional development session focused on improving service delivery, aligning messaging across offices, and equipping staff with practical language and tools to better support mixed-status and undocumented students navigating FAFSA and financial aid systems.

Presented By:
Angel Palazuelos, Education Coordinator, Aliento

Christian Muñoz , Education Coordinator, Aliento

Rincon

OIG Session on
Fraud: What Can You Do?

The Office of Inspector General will take us through some cases of fraud that have occurred and give participants some takeaways that have worked for institutions to identify fraud. You will hear information about what the process looks like after fraud is reported while being able to ask questions and share examples with participants.

Presented By:

Damian White, Special Agent in Charge, U.S Department of Education, Office of Inspector General

Tucson

Dungeons, Dragons, and Disbursements

Join us for a creative journey into team dynamics and professional growth in financial aid. This session uses the "Dungeons & Dragons" framework to explore the skills and roles crucial to building and supporting a successful financial aid office. Discover how the archetypes and abilities in D&D can provide insights into how financial aid professionals support students, navigate challenges, and contribute to their teams. Whether you’re a director focused on building a resilient and adaptable team (Constitution) or an advisor aiming to enhance communication and rapport with students (Charisma), this talk will help you leverage both technical and interpersonal talents. Together, we’ll map out strengths, skill sets, and core values in a fun, D&D-inspired way. Financial aid professionals of all levels will leave this session with a refreshed perspective on the diverse skills they bring to their work, ready to help students succeed with newfound enthusiasm.

Presented By:
Chantelle Isaacs, Relationship Manager, Ascent Funding

Santa Rita