Why Attend?

Dear MASFAA Colleagues:
Now is the perfect time to start thinking about the 2009 MASFAA Conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. As 2009-2010 budgets are established, you can set aside funds for the MASFAA Conference. I urge you to consider the 2009 MASFAA Conference a must-attend event! If you need approval from a higher institutional authority, seek it now. The Conference Committee has been working very hard to ensure that this conference will provide both theory and practice regarding the new regulations, the rules for many of which will not be determined until shortly before the Conference.

The NASFAA Conference, while always valuable, will occur too early for presenters to speak with authority about all of the new regulations. The Federal Student Aid Conference is planned to follow our MASFAA Conference and the US Department of Education has said they will limit attendees to accommodate the venue. Most state financial aid conferences are scheduled too early to benefit from the outcome of negotiated rulemaking. The MASFAA conference offers the perfect solution to these different problems. You get national quality presentations at state conference prices. In addition, the size of the MASFAA Conference is just big enough to ensure broad perspectives, but small enough to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to get their own questions answered.

If you have never attended a MASFAA Conference, this is the year to break the tradition. If you attend from time to time, this is the year to attend. For those who attend every year, consider bringing along some of your colleagues, whether from your own institution or from others. We plan to provide a very cost-effective conference, with important take-aways that will allow you to return to your job ready to deal with the new federal programs and regulations.

If all of this business related information isn’t enough to convince you to join us, keep in mind that the most important value of our conference is the ability to network with new and not so new colleagues. Our conference plan provides time for you to consult with other financial aid professionals, as well as to enjoy a great Midwestern city, with wonderful dining and shopping opportunities.

I would love to have you and your colleagues join us in Minneapolis!

Sincerely,

Rick Shipman
2009 MASFAA President