Heather Hensgen’s Post

🎉 Happy Financial Aid Day! 🎉 🎉Today, we celebrate the incredible dedication and hard work of financial aid professionals who help students access the resources they need to achieve their educational dreams. 💡 Whether it’s navigating scholarships, grants, or loans, these champions work tirelessly to break down financial barriers and create opportunities for success. ❤️I am especially grateful to the financial aid team at UMGC, whose support has had a huge impact on both my career and my life. Your unwavering commitment to student success has truly empowered me, and I can’t thank you enough! #FinancialAidDay #StudentSuccess #Education #HigherEd #gratitude

👩🏫 Exciting news! I’m thrilled to be presenting at the 2024 DE-DC-MD ASFAA Fall Conference 2024 (11/18-11/20), and I’d love to see my fellow financial aid administrators from Maryland, Delaware, and D.C. there! This is an incredible opportunity to connect, share insights, and learn about our field's latest trends. 📒 Whether new to financial aid or a seasoned professional, this conference has something for everyone. I encourage you to attend and take advantage of the networking and professional development opportunities. 👉 You can find more information and register here: https://lnkd.in/e8_HgPWU. 🧡 Hope to see you there! 🧡 #FinancialAid #HigherEd #ProfessionalDevelopment #Networking #DEDCMDASFAA

👩💼 When I accidentally fell into financial aid in 2006, I never expected it to become such a rewarding and impactful career. Over the years, I’ve come to appreciate financial aid's vital role in helping students access higher education. But like many of us, I didn’t choose this path—it chose me. 📓 National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) 's latest report highlights a critical challenge: ensuring financial aid is considered a chosen profession, not just a fallback. The report offers insightful recommendations on bolstering our field, including creating clearer career pathways, improving professional development, and increasing awareness about the importance of our work. 💌 As someone who has grown and thrived in this space, I can’t stress enough the importance of these recommendations. We need to attract passionate individuals who view financial aid as a career and a calling. By investing in the future of our profession, we invest in the future of higher education. Check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/eJv4YJjX. #FinancialAidProfession #HigherEducation #StudentSuccess #EducationAccess #CareerPathways #NASFAA #FinancialAidReform #EducationEquity #ProfessionalDevelopment #EdLeadership

🌎 2025-26 FAFSA - beta testing is beginning 🌎 🎓 The U.S. Department of Education is taking a significant step forward by launching the first round of beta testing for the new FAFSA, starting with hundreds of students from across the country. This early testing phase will allow the department to identify potential issues and gather feedback, ensuring a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants when the form officially rolls out later this year. 📜 As the FAFSA undergoes these changes, it’s encouraging to see the proactive steps being taken to streamline the process for students and families. I’m eager to see how these enhancements will improve access to financial aid and simplify the path to higher education. 📰 Read the article by National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) below. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e69V2nMZ #HigherEd #FinancialAid #FAFSA #BetaTesting #StudentSuccess #EducationInnovation

🚨 ISIR Processing Updates 🚨 🎓 The Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) actively addresses two significant issues related to ISIR (Institutional Student Information Record) processing. For schools and financial aid professionals, these glitches have caused delays in delivering crucial student financial aid data. 🔍 The Issues: ❓ A coding error preventing corrections from updating. ❓An issue affecting students’ Pell Grant eligibility determination. 📅 FSA is swiftly reprocessing affected ISIRs and ensuring data accuracy. This is a reminder of the importance of vigilance when processing student aid data, as even minor glitches can significantly impact students’ access to education. 💡 Takeaway for Schools: Double-check ISIR data and communicate with students who may be affected by these errors. Staying informed on these updates helps us ensure that no student is left behind in accessing financial aid. 📩 See the article from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) below. #HigherEd #FinancialAid #StudentSuccess #NASFAA #FSA #ISIR #PellGrant

👩🏫 Professional Development Week at the University System of Maryland is this week! 🗨 Are you interested in professional development? The University System of Maryland is hosting a week-long event focused on helping educators grow their skills and knowledge. ✨ This virtual event features a keynote panel with Carolyn Ringer Lepre, President of Salisbury University, and Mark R. Ginsberg, President of Towson University. Other speakers include Melody Wright, Christopher Everett, and Michele Hunt. 🥇 There are also a variety of tracks to choose from, so you can find sessions relevant to your interests. 💡 This is an excellent opportunity to learn from some of the best education minds and network with colleagues. 📩 Link shared below! #ProfessionalDevelopment #Education #Maryland #UniversitySystem #USM 

🎓 Important Developments in Financial Aid Reporting Deadlines 🎓 🏛 Twenty U.S. Senators recently called on the Department of Education to delay the Gainful Employment (GE) and Financial Value Transparency (FVT) reporting deadlines. As National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)'s latest article highlighted, this request comes as institutions grapple with implementing these critical regulations designed to protect students and enhance transparency. 👨🎓 With so much at stake for both students and educational institutions, extending these deadlines would allow for a more thoughtful and precise reporting process that ensures compliance without overwhelming institutions already managing multiple demands. 🏫 If you're involved in financial aid or higher education administration, this development is worth watching closely! https://lnkd.in/eBNBVQia #HigherEd #FinancialAid #NASFAA #StudentSuccess #Regulations