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Home » Newsroom » Blog
Blog
July 29, 2025

National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Conference Drives Equity and Innovation in Higher Education

EventsFinancial AidHigher EducationStrategyStudent ExperienceThought Leadership

Financial Aid Management and Student Services Experts Share Key Takeaways from NASFAA 2025

The 2025 NASFAA National Conference convened in vibrant Anaheim, California, bringing together thousands of student aid professionals from across the country. Attendees gathered to learn, share best practices, and build connections that advance the field of financial aid.

Pictured: Traci Veyl, Carmin Cobb

A major highlight of the conference was the official leadership transition, as Melanie Storey stepped into her role as NASFAA’s new President and CEO. Storey’s extensive experience includes key policy and strategy roles at the U.S. Department of Education’s Office of Federal Student Aid (FSA), the College Board, and the American Council on Education (ACE). Her appointment signals a continued commitment to equity and innovation in higher education.

Together, the insights, networking, and shared vision from the NASFAA 2025 Conference laid a strong foundation for tackling the challenges and opportunities ahead in student aid policy and practice.

Sponsoring the NASFAA 5K: A Celebration of Community and Shared Purpose

Attain Partners was a proud sponsor of the NASFAA 5K. It was an absolute highlight and such an energizing way to kick off the day. We loved meeting all the dedicated runners, sharing smiles and encouragement, and soaking up the positive energy that filled the course. It was a celebration of community, wellness, and the shared spirit of support that defines NASFAA. Thank you to everyone who participated and helped make it such a memorable event.

This experience reflected who we are and what we value at Attain Partners. The energy and sense of purpose at the 5K aligned perfectly with our core values to Obsess Externally and Have Absolute Integrity. We were especially proud to support Higher Ground Youth and Family Services, whose mission to uplift young people and families resonates deeply with ours. Events like this remind us why we do the work we do. Serve others, create positive change, and help build a better future!

Session Takeaway – Higher Education Landscapes Changes

One of the most resonant takeaways from the 2025 NASFAA Annual Conference was that higher education is entering a period of significant change. During a compelling keynote, Dr. Nathan Grawe emphasized how declining birth rates and shifting student demographics are poised to reshape the enrollment landscape. These data-driven insights echoed throughout the conference and were supported by sessions like Emerging Trends in Higher Education: Enrollment Funding, Aid, and Prices and the College Board’s Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid report, which underscored a critical point. The challenges ahead will differ greatly from those of the past—traditional funding approaches alone are no longer enough to sustain enrollment.

But rather than seeing these changes as a crisis, this moment can be viewed as a powerful invitation to pause, reflect, and return to the core values that define our work. It’s time to ask not just what we’re doing, but why we’re doing it, and to redesign our systems with purpose.

In fact, this disruption presents a powerful opportunity for institutions to reimagine the student experience, starting with financial aid. As the landscape shifts, financial aid offices must move from the margins to the center of strategic enrollment management. When done right, financial aid isn’t just a transactional necessity. It’s a differentiator.

At Attain Partners, there are several approaches we use to help institutions explore how to better align with student needs:

  • Streamlining communications so students receive timely, actionable information that feels approachable and clear.
  • Training staff to deliver student-centered service that builds trust and removes friction in the enrollment journey.
  • Modernizing outreach, from virtual advising to personalized text messaging, to engage students in the channels they use most.
  • Auditing and enhancing workflows to ensure every student interaction is handled with care, speed, and consistency.

By using data to drive smarter, more intentional engagement, especially with students at risk of melt, institutions can elevate the impact of their aid packages and increase yield. In a world where every enrollment counts, those who invest in the quality of their financial aid service will not only survive demographic disruption but will lead through it.

Session Takeaway – Beyond the Math: Navigating the Unique Complexities of Graduate and Professional Financial Aid

This session provided key insights into graduate and professional financial aid. To the casual observer, graduate and professional financial aid may appear straightforward; fewer grants, more loans, and calculations that look simple on paper. The reality is far more complex, shaped by individuals juggling life, work, and academic ambition.

Graduate and professional students are often caregivers, parents, partners, or full-time employees. Their lives don’t pause for graduate school. Financial aid offices that serve these students provide real-time guidance, emotional support, and tailored solutions that make graduate education possible.

One major shift that threatens to complicate this landscape even further is the upcoming elimination of the Graduate PLUS Loan in 2026. For many, this loan has acted as a lifeline, bridging the gap between federal unsubsidized loans and the true cost of pursuing an advanced degree. Without it, students may face new funding hurdles, and institutions will need to reevaluate how they support access and success.

At Attain Partners, we specialize in graduate and professional financial aid consulting. Our team has helped institutions anticipate change and respond with clarity and confidence. Through in-depth research and tailored assessments, we’ve helped clients:

  • Reveal the percentage of graduate aid that goes toward non-tuition costs, which is vital for understanding student needs beyond the classroom.
  • Craft custom reports by academic program that can assist institutions in identifying the average financial need per program, allowing for data-informed decisions around funding and resource allocation.
  • Create detailed reports that show where federal loans fit into the broader institutional support system, which is an essential step for strategic planning in a post-graduate PLUS Loan environment.

As the financial aid landscape shifts, institutions must find new ways to remain compliant, efficient, and student-centered. Our mission is to help them do just that with action plans built on deep regulatory insight and human understanding.

Conclusion

Attending the NASFAA 2025 Conference was truly a valuable and enriching experience. From engaging sessions to insightful conversations with peers and thought leaders, the event offered a deeper understanding of the evolving landscape of financial aid. We left feeling inspired, better informed, and energized to apply what we’ve learned to better support institutions navigate these changing times. A heartfelt thank you to NASFAA and all the organizers for putting together such a meaningful and impactful conference. We’re already looking forward to next year!

Attain Partners – Financial Aid All-Stars

We specialize in helping schools optimize their financial aid operations, reduce administrative burden, and enhance the overall student experience. Using comprehensive financial aid assessments, we provide tailored action plans to streamline processes and improve efficiencies, while maintaining compliance with federal regulations. Learn more and meet our team here.

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    • Attain Digital
      • Executive in Residence Program
    • Attain Research
      • Indirect Cost Rate Policy Updates and Guidance
      • Uniform Guidance
  • Services
    • -
      • Services
    • -
      • Technology
        • Salesforce Innovation
          • Managed Services for CRM
          • Attain Accelerate
          • Salesforce Digital Engagement
        • Application Development and Modernization
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    • -
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        • Juran, an Attain Partners Company
    • -
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