Financial aid administrators face unique stressors like regulatory deadlines, emotional student interactions, and high-volume workloads. This session is designed to:

• Normalize stress in the financial aid profession

• Share practical tools for managing stress

• Strengthen connection and morale

Join Lee Andes from the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia (SCHEV) for a timely update on recent legislative actions impacting higher education across the Commonwealth. 

This session offers a clear overview of federal student aid eligibility, focusing on U.S. citizenship and eligible noncitizen status. Learn how to verify immigration documents, resolve ISIR match issues, and handle special cases like refugees and parolees. Perfect for financial aid professionals seeking practical guidance and compliance confidence.

You love financial aid and the ability to positively impact the lives of the students you serve, but you wonder if you can afford to make a career out of it. Positioning yourself to earn more money in the long term is important, but often overlooked are ways you can be more effective with the money you're earning today. This session will help attendees identify how to get the most out of your money. 

This panel brings together seasoned financial aid professionals to explore how artificial intelligence is beginning to shape the future of student support services. Panelists will share firsthand experiences and insights into how AI tools are being used—or considered—for improving operational efficiency, enhancing communication with students, and supporting data-informed decision-making. The discussion will also touch on practical challenges, ethical considerations, and the evolving role of financial aid staff in an increasingly tech-driven landscape.