Federal Issues Index | Year-End Report Index
Important Federal Resources Index | Committee Information

End of the Year Report
Chairperson: DeLores W. Hawkins, Director Financial Aid, Des Moines Area Community College

The Federal Issues Committee Report includes the purpose and goals of the committee, summary of activities, a description of the new Federal Issues Portal, a summary of U.S.Department of Education Letters and announcements and other important federal resources. The resources can also be found on the Portal. The resources include a list of the 108th members of select Congressional committees. In addition, an article on "What is Reauthorization?',' as written and published by AMS Group, appears in the report. The 2002-2003 MASFAA Executive Council accepted a position paper on reauthorization at its April meeting.

The Federal Issues Committee reviewed recommendations from NASFAA, Southwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrator, American Council on Education, College Board, MASFAA individual state reauthorization positions, and others to formulate MASFAA's position. MASFAA's position centers on the theme of Access, Opportunity and Success. As Aid administrators, we can all support the recommendations that will allow us to provide increased grant aid to our students and recommendations that promote access and educational opportunity. One Federal Issues committee member said it best: "In a broad sense, those recommendations that put more money into the pockets of students should be our first priority and those recommendations that provide regulatory relief, clarification, or modification should be second."