Anthony JonesAmy Trawick

Appalachian State University

November 11, 2014

Fall NCASFAA Conference – Asheville, NC

Developing a Graduate Program in Student Financial Aid Administration• Historical Training and Education Efforts• Past Discussions and Efforts; Program Searches• Current Issues• Is there a need for a certificate or degree program? • How applicable is a certificate or degree program in financial

aid administration?

• Program Content:• Demands/Needs of Profession• Courses• Timeframe• Delivery (Online, face-to-face, or hybrid)

Historical Training and Education Efforts

• Strong history of national-, regional-, and state-level training by profession (conferences too)

• Reliance on NASFAA news articles, documents, webinars, and training materials and sessions

• Reliance on FSA Handbook, DCLs, FSA conferences, FSA Coach, and other ED products

• Reliance on state agencies• Use of consultants, guaranty agencies, proprietary

products, etc.

Past Discussions and Efforts; Program Searches

• National and regional discussions as early as 1970s regarding graduate program versus certification

• Some master’s degree programs existed (primarily as tracks within student affairs curricula); one certificate program in 1980s (others possible)

• NASFAA: Certification discussions; NASFAA Univ.• Survey of demand and need; In line with the

mission of AppState and especially the Higher Education program within the College of Education

Broad Issues• Is there a need (and demand) for a graduate program

in financial aid administration?– National data and feedback– State, regional, and national conversations– Focus Groups

• How applicable (i.e., marketable) is a degree or certificate in financial aid administration?– Will FAOs view individuals with the degree or certificate as

competitive in applicant pool?– Will students with no FA experience find the program

applicable to other areas?

What Might an FAA Program Look Like?

•What are the unique needs for instruction?•Timeframes and Delivery Methods – 15 to 18 credit hours– Online, face-to-face, or hybrid

•Structure and Courses– Initially, stand-alone certificate which can be embedded

within M.A. in Higher Education – Potential for advanced/senior certificate, which can be

embedded within Ed.S. in Higher Education

Discussion Points

• Thoughts on structure of program• Thoughts on use of course materials• Preferences for online, face-to-face,

or hybrid• Thoughts on Certificate (entry level

vs. advanced), MA, EdS

Feedback, Comments, QuestionsAnthony JonesGraduate Facultyjonesap1@appstate.edu

Amy Trawick (Program Director) trawickar@appstate.eduGraduate Faculty

Appalachian State UniversityReich College of EducationLeadership and Educational Studies DepartmentHigher Education Program