The purpose of OASFAA shall be: to foster and promote the professional preparation, effectiveness, recognition, and association of administrators and counselors of student financial aid in educational institutions beyond high school and individuals in public or private agencies or organizations concerned with student financial aid.
A Letter from your President...
Happy spring! It is hard for me to believe that we are finishing one
school year and beginning the awarding cycle for the next.
I want to give you an OASFAA update. We have many activities planned.
You can be proud of the talent and dedication of your association. We
are fortunate to have such an amazing and active organization that
provides top-notch training. However, we can't do it without you. As
you read through the OASFAA activities below, I hope you'll get excited
and consider volunteering.
The Executive Council met on February 26, 2009and we had a busy meeting.
- Watch for future emails that include the dates of the OASFAA training
events. The training committee plans to offer the Oregon Leadership
Institute this summer. One date that has been set is for the 2010
annual conference. The 2010 OASFAA annual conference will be held at
the Red Lion Hotel in Portland at Jantzen Beach on January 24-26.
OASFAA is currently exploring options for future conferences. At this
time, Salishan Resort is offering very reasonable rates and services
for future conferences. The OASFAA executive council will be reviewing
their proposal at the next executive council meeting.
- The mentoring program has begun. The program is designed to have
groups that include two mentors and three protégés. Each group will be
working on a project that they develop. Keep watching for updates as
this project unfolds.
- The outreach committee is looking at developing a website that will
serve as a resource page to assist our partners (high school and other
educational counselors) as well as assisting students. This is a work
in progress; keep watching for future updates.
- The OASFAA executive council voted to participate in the National
Training for Counselors and Mentors (NT4CM). NT4CM is a joint
partnership of the U.S. Department of Education's office of Federal
Student Aid, NASFAA and the National Council of Higher Education Loan
Programs (NCHELP). Leslie Limper and Bert Logan are spearheading this
program that will provide free training to counselors and mentors who
assist students and their families in preparing financially for
college. Watch for more details.
- In memory of Paul Carlile, a valued colleague, a donation was made
to a scholarship fund at the University of Oregon.
- As we are all aware, there have been many changes in the student
lending community. We are fortunate that many corporate donors
continue to be supporters of OASFAA. I am grateful for the support
(both financial and personal) that the corporate donors have provided
to OASFAA over the years. However, the financial level of support that
the corporate donors have been able to provide has diminished. This is
an issue that OASFAA must consider when planning its budget and future
activities. We will be having important and challenging discussions
about OASFAA's future. I want you to feel free to pass on your
comments to me or any member of the OASFAA executive council about
this and other issues. Look for a future survey to the membership
where you can provide your input to help with our goal setting.
Last of all, I would like to thank the OASFAA executive council,
committee chairs and all the volunteers (current and future!) who are
sharing their time and talents with our wonderful association. It is
greatly appreciated.
Donna Fossum, OASFAA President
Director of Financial Aid
Western Oregon University
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