Don't miss this chance to grow professionally and contribute to the vital field of financial aid. We look forward to seeing you there and together, shaping a brighter future for our industry.
Why You Should Attend:
Expert Insights: Stay at the forefront with sessions on the latest trends, policies, and tools in financial aid.
Peer Networking: Connect with fellow professionals and industry leaders to share experiences and forge collaborations.
Tailored Workshops: Engage in workshops designed to enhance your skills and understanding of critical financial aid issues.
Shape the Future: Participate in discussions that influence the direction of financial aid practices and policies.
Renew Your Passion: Return to your role inspired, with fresh ideas and strategies to benefit your students.
Here's a communication that can be used to help justify your attendance at this important event.
A Letter to Your Supervisor
[Date]
Dear [First Name]:
Keeping up with the ever-changing laws and regulations that govern the Title IV student financial aid programs has become increasingly difficult. With the budget battles in Congress and the increase in audits announced by the U.S. Department of Education, it is vital that we in the financial aid office stay up to date and learn how to implement any changes to the student aid programs so [your institution] remains in compliance.
With FAFSA Simplification impacts still presenting on going challenges, training this year is even more important as we prepare for financial aid processing in 2025-26. Federal Student Aid sent a letter to our president last year highlighting the importance of this year particularly and stating that schools like ours need to prioritize training since "...insufficient financial resources for... training may increase risks of non-compliance, which could lead to audit findings, fines and/or liabilities."
For these reasons, I am proposing that I attend the Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' (VASFAA) annual conference, being held April 13-16, 2025 at the Hilton Norfolk The Main.
The VASFAA Conference will provide me with valuable, updated information on the student aid programs and, most importantly, how to implement any changes to better serve our students – a vital training and professional development opportunity that cannot be gained anywhere else.
I have identified several key sessions that I will have the opportunity to attend as a participant in during the conference:
[visit the conference agenda to list sessions]
More than 300 financial aid professionals from the region attend the VASFAA Conference each year to grow professionally, network, and hone their leadership skills. In addition to learning from my peers and VASFAA's experts, I will also have the opportunity to learn about product and software innovations so I can evaluate the state of our current processes, software, and vendors.
The cost to send me to the conference is:
Registration
Hotel
All Meals are covering in registration except Monday Dinner
Total Cost:
I hope you agree that the VASFAA Conference is a good investment of time and resources that will benefit the financial aid office, the institution, and our students greatly. I'd like your approval to register today.
Thank you for considering this request.
[Your name]