Interest Groups

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is an organization that advocates public policy for student access and success in higher education, in addition to developing professional financial aid administers across the United States. It comprises “nearly 20,000 student financial assistance professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every ten undergraduates in the U.S.”

NASFAA is involved in the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization for 2014; last year, 17 NASFAA members sent the NASFAA Board of Directors 61 recommendations for changes to the HEA, many of which were approved by the Board and will be presented to Congress for consideration. NASFAA’s other activities in reforming student loans include providing help connecting students with information about financial aid options. By doing so, many students are able to make informed economic decisions about paying for college.

Another interest group involved in student financial aid is the College Board. The College Board is one of the largest non-profit organizations for rising college students that aims “to connect students to college success and opportunity.” It does this through administering the SAT college entrance exam and the Advanced Placement Program, as well as the College Scholarship Search Profile (CSS Profile). The CSS Profile is a widely used tool by students to apply for private financial aid from nearly 400 colleges and scholarship programs. Many private colleges and universities accept the CSS Profile as an assessment for how much the institution can offer admitted students. Most public colleges and universities do not use the CSS Profile, and instead offer aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).