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Michigan Student Financial Aid Association Conference

May 18-21, 2025

Shanty Creek Resort



MSFAA President Welcome

Dear MSFAA Members,

Welcome to MSFAA!  I am the newly appointed President of MSFAA. It's truly an honor and a privilege to extend my warmest greetings as we embark on this journey together. With a theme close to my heart, "Onward, Upward, Together," I'm excited to dive into this chapter alongside such amazing colleagues like yourselves.

Having dedicated nearly two decades to the area of financial aid, my passion for this field runs deep. It's been a guiding force throughout my career, shaping my path and instilling in me a fervent commitment to our community. Now, as we unite under our shared mission, I'm filled with anticipation for the journey ahead.

In the spirit of humility and camaraderie, I invite each of you to join me in this journey of growth and collaboration. Our collective strength lies in the diverse perspectives, talents, and experiences we bring to the table, enriching our shared knowledge and fortifying our bonds.

As we face the challenges and embrace the opportunities ahead, let's lean on one another for support, encouragement, and inspiration. Together, we have the power to achieve remarkable feats, reach new heights, and make a profound impact on the lives of those we serve.

In the year to come, our focus will be on enhancing student access and support, fortifying our community partnerships, and nurturing our membership through effective communication, comprehensive training, and meaningful mentorship. We're also dedicated to researching strategies for building a more robust financial foundation and refining our long-term strategic goals.

Here's to a year filled with progress, discovery, and shared success. Here's to moving onward, upward, together.

 

Warm regards,

Kemmoree Duncombe

President, MSFAA

Upcoming events

  • DEI Webinar Series (Unconscious Biases)

    • Thursday, February 13, 2025
    • 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
    • Webinar
    Register

    Second Session:

    "Who Do We Think We Serve and Their Impact on Financial Aid Decisions"

    DEI Webinar Series

    Throughout the year, MSFAA’s DEI team will offer a series of professional development webinars designed to enhance members' knowledge and skills in addressing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) within higher education. Our goal is to bridge knowledge gaps, shed light on critical DEI topics, and equip members with practical insights that support our diverse populations, from students and departments to community partners, ultimately enriching our understanding as individuals and professionals.


    Session: "Who Do We Think We Serve and Their Impact on Financial Aid Decisions"

    This webinar explores how we interpret data and connect it to assumptions of who we serve in the financial aid process and decision-making. FAFSA data provides a wide lens into people's experiences which may lead to automatic judgments or stereotypes that individuals may hold, often without awareness. In the context of financial aid, assumptions can affect the assessment of students' needs, the allocation of funds, and the overall fairness of financial support decisions. The session will highlight common data points —such as racial, socioeconomic, and gender—and examine their potential impact on both applicants and decision-makers. The webinar will also offer strategies for identifying behaviors that promote more equitable and inclusive environments and financial aid practices.

    About the Presenter:  Aura Jimena Cazares

    Dr. Aura J. Cazares has over two decades of experience employing Spanish fluency and analytical skills to lead strategic enrollment and student support systems for a Catholic Jesuit University and a Hispanic Serving Institution, an urban community college, and currently leads support systems for students and diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives at an R2 four-year institution. Her interest and passion are addressing systemic barriers that preclude student success and educating her community about how to achieve academic and professional success. Dr. Cazares's scholarly work focuses on adapting cultural humility principles in compliance as a framework to create a culture of compliance and engagement.  She is a contributing writer for the El Central Newspaper (the oldest bilingual newspaper in Michigan), and her column Within Your Grasps shares tips about educational and professional attainment for the Latinx community.  She loves spending time with her family and friends, watching movies, and listening to audiobooks.  

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  • FAAC© Exam Preparation Workshop Coming to Northern Michigan!

    • Friday, March 07, 2025
    • 9:00 AM - 4:30 PM
    • Kirtland Community College, Grayling, Michigan

    MASFAA Presents: FAAC® Exam Preparation Workshop 



    MASFAA has partnered with MSFAA to bring the FAAC© Exam Preparation Workshop to Northern Michigan!  Don't miss out on your opportunity to obtain your Financial Aid Administrator Certification.  Read more below and register today!

    Financial aid administrators are entrusted with significant responsibility, and the FAAC® designation affirms the professional commitment not only to those responsibilities, but also their commitment to uphold the highest ethical standards.

    Since 2019, an elite group of more than 650 financial aid professionals have earned the esteemed FAAC® designation — and you now have the opportunity to access an intensive preparation course to help you prepare for NASFAA's Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program knowledge exam! At this in-person workshop, you will use a suite of materials prepared by NASFAA.

    Registered participants will receive a comprehensive set of preparation resources and complimentary access to the certification knowledge exam. Resources include: 

    • Exam preparation guide for candidates
    • Self-assessment worksheet
    • Exam preparation workshop handouts
    • Practice exam and diagnostic report

    This full workshop is $300 for MASFAA members, and $400 for non-MASFAA members. This is a significant cost savings as the exam and Exam Preparation Guide are $525 if purchased directly from NASFAA — and that doesn't include an in-person preparation workshop!

    Lunch is provided and included in the registration fee. 

    See link below for change, cancellation, and participant conduct policy.


    Register Here


    MSFAA Training Committee

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  • 2025 MSFAA Annual Conference

    • Sunday, May 18, 2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Thursday, May 21, 2026
    • 12:00 PM
    • Shanty Creek Resort, 5780 Shanty Creek Road Bellaire, MI 49615


    2024 MSFAA Annual Conference

    Onward, Upward, Together

    Our conference theme this year is Onward, Upward, Together, emphasizing our commitment to advancing student success and addressing the evolving challenges within higher education.

    This exciting event will feature various sessions on Financial Aid Topics, Wellness, Leadership & Compliance, DEI, and more. You'll also hear from key speakers from the Michigan College Access Network (MCAN), The State of Michigan (SOM), and The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

    We are honored to kick off the conference with an inspiring message from Dr. Bill Pink of Ferris State University!

    Stay tuned for more details. We look forward to seeing you there!

    #OnwardUpwardTogether

    #MSFAA



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  • 2025 Annual Conference Exhibitor Form

    • Sunday, May 18, 2025
    • 1:00 PM
    • Wednesday, May 21, 2025
    • 12:00 PM
    • Shanty Creek Resort, Bellaire, Michigan
    • 5 registrants
    Register


    2025 Annual MSFAA Exhibitor Form

     Choose a Sponsorship:                                                     

     Sponsor(s) - Redwood Sequoia (Limited)

    • Opportunity to Moderate a General Session
    • First opportunity to Select Vendor Booth Location
    • Opportunity to Present a Business Solution Session
    • Full Page Ad in Conference Booklet
    • Company PPT Slide to run before and after ALL General session/meals
    • TWO (2) Complimentary Conference Registrations
    • Participate in “:30 of Fame” to introduce yourself and company.
    • Registration List of Conference Attendees
    • Company logos displayed on the MSFAA website
    • Limited to the first five (5 commitments).
    • FEE = $2,000

    Sponsor(s) - Himalayan Cypress

    • Moderate a Conference Interest Session
    • Opportunity to Select Vendor Booth Location
    • Half-Page Ad in Conference Booklet
    • Company PPT Slide to run before and after ALL General Session/meals.
    • Complimentary (1) Conference Registration
    • Participate in “:30 of Fame” to introduce yourself and company.
    • Registration List of Conference Attendees
    • Company logos displayed on the MSFAA website
    • Limited to the first seven (7) commitments
    • FEE = $1,750

    Sponsor(s) - Pammetto Palm

    • Assigned Vendor Booth location
    • Half-Page Ad in Conference Booklet
    • Company PPT Slide to run before and after ALL General Sessions/meals.
    • Complimentary (1) Conference Registration 
    • Participate in “:30 of Fame” to introduce yourself and company.
    • Registration List of Conference Attendees
    • Company logos displayed on the MSFAA website
      • Not Limited
    • FEE = $1,500

     All exhibitors must be MSFAA members.

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