2025 New Aid Officers Workshop (NAOW)
Registration is CLOSED
WHEN: April 9-11, 2025
WHERE: Great Wolf Lodge 100 Great Wolf Dr, Grapevine, TX 76051
New Aid Officers Workshop (NAOW) is a safe learning space where new financial aid staff or even seasoned financial officers will gain invaluable knowledge and refresh their minds.
Join us for an exhilarating training event that turns financial aid expertise into an unforgettable game show experience. Participants will dive deep into essential topics and compete in entertaining challenges designed to reinforce learning and boost confidence. Our hosts create a welcoming environment where questions are celebrated and every answer is a learning opportunity. Whether you're new to financial aid or looking to refresh your knowledge, this innovative approach ensures maximum engagement and retention of crucial information.
Topics Covered: Application Process and Student Eligibility, Verification, Need Analysis and Pell Grant (including Calculating SAI), Cost of Attendance, State Financial Aid, Packaging and Aid Notifications, Professional Judgment, Campus-Based Programs, Loans, R2T4, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
Attendees must make their own hotel reservations by March 26, 2025. Per hotel policy, guests must be over the age of 21 to check in to their guest rooms.
Reservations can be made by calling 800-693-9653 or visiting www.greatwolf.com/grapevine using the offer code 2504TASF.
This will grant them a Family Suite at the wonderfully reduced price of $129.00 a night. Each Family Suite includes 4 water park wristbands. Attendees can also commute in daily and enjoy free parking at the conference center. Water Park access is limited to those staying at the hotel.
Check in for training will open at 8:00am on Wednesday, April 9th. Training will begin promptly at 9:00 am. Training will conclude at noon on Friday, April 11th. The Registration cost of $350 includes the cost for materials, Lunch and Refreshments on Wednesday, Breakfast, Lunch and Refreshments on Thursday and Breakfast on Friday.
Click here for the Mack Adams Scholarship
If you are your institution's designated Key Contact, you will see two buttons: [Register Yourself] and [Register a Linked Profile]. If you are registering someone else, choose [Register Linked Profile]. The list of linked profiles will appear on the next page. If the person you wish to add is not on that page, you must add them to your organizational profile first before they will appear here.
Training Committee
| 2024 Training Committee / Presenters |
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Melissa Jones, FAAC®- Chair
Melissa is the Assistant Director of Financial Aid at the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, with nearly 8 years of experience in financial aid and over 14 years in higher education. Throughout her career in financial aid, she has gained expertise in areas such as financial literacy, degree-eligible hours, compliance, verification, SAP, the Pell Grant program, and the Hazelwood Act Exemption. She has also managed both federal and private loan programs and currently oversees the student work program.
Dedicated to fostering an effective and supportive experience for students and fellow financial aid professionals, Melissa has earned several credentials from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) and holds the Certified Financial Aid Administrator designation.
Melissa's involvement with TASFAA began four years ago when she joined the TASFAA Training Committee, where she now serves as committee chair. She is also currently in the first year of her term as a TASFAA Board Member.
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Erin Dunham
Erin has been serving as a Financial Aid Advisor at San Jacinto College for the past three years. In this role, she assists students with the financial aid process and helps them navigate crucial components such as FAFSA completion, verification processes, and financial aid appeals. These appeals include Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals, Unusual Circumstances, and Special Circumstances. In addition to advising students, Erin plays an integral role in managing the Federal Work Study program for the campus, helping students gain valuable work experience while earning financial aid. Additionally, she serves on the training committee for Student Services, focusing on professional development for their team.
As a certified financial coach, Erin is committed to empowering students with the tools and knowledge they need to make informed financial decisions.
Erin earned a bachelor’s in psychology from Sam Houston State University. Their expertise is reflected in their achievement of several NASFAA credentials, including Student Eligibility, Application Process, Satisfactory Academic Progress, Campus-Based Programs, Direct Loan Program, Cost of Attendance, Federal Pell Grant, and Verification.
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Eileen Eiden
Eileen Eiden is the dedicated Student Loans Supervisor at Austin Community College, where she leverages her extensive experience spanning over 15 years in the financial aid sector, having served at four diverse educational institutions. Her wide-ranging expertise encompasses critical areas such as financial literacy, default prevention strategies, comprehensive cost of attendance analysis, compliance with regulatory standards, and the maintenance of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for financial aid recipients. Throughout her distinguished career, she has adeptly managed federal and private loan programs to ensure students have access to the financial resources they need to succeed.
In her commitment to enhancing her professional skills and knowledge, Eileen is currently pursuing the Accredited Financial Counselor (AFC) certification. She is also an active participant in the Texas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (TASFAA), collaborating with peers to advocate for best practices in the field. Furthermore, Eileen has earned multiple NASFAA U credentials from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), showcasing her dedication to staying informed on the latest developments and regulations in financial aid.
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Michelle Enriquez
Michelle Enriquez is a Vice President, Relationship Manager at Citizens-she serves the SWASFAA states and she has been working in student lending and various high-tech companies for the last 25+ years. She serves as the 2025 SWASFAA Corporate Sponsorship Chair, along with TASFAA Sponsor Relations Committee and the TASFAA Training Committee.
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Joshua Trevino
Joshua Trevino is the Associate Director of Self-Help programs at the University of Houston. He manages federal, state, and institutional loan programs and administers Federal and Texas College Workstudy programs for the university. He is nearing 20 years of experience in Financial Aid and is passionate about student success. Go Coogs!
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Brenda Vazquez
Brenda Vazquez is an Assistant Director in Student Financial Services at Rice Business, where she manages aid for the Online MBA program and assists students with their financial aid process. She previously worked in Graduate Admissions and Financial Aid at Texas A&M University and as a College Advisor at Pasadena High School. Brenda holds an M.S. in Educational Human Resource Development and a B.A. in International Studies & Spanish from Texas A&M University. She lives in Houston with her two rescue dogs, Benji and Teddy, and enjoys helping others pursue their educational goals. Outside of work, she loves reading and dancing.
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Julie Finn
Julie Finn is the Head of Campus Development in the Southwest for College Ave. Julie has been involved in higher education for over 20 years, working in both the admissions and financial aid office, before moving to the education finance side. She lives in Illinois with her 2 teenagers, 1 dog, and a fish that has defied the odds so far. She doesn't take herself too seriously, but she is passionate about helping families in their journey to pay for college, especially those who question whether or not it can actually be accomplished.
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Daniel Warner
Daniel Warner started his higher education career in 2014 as a student assistant where he first discovered his passion for education and helping college students. Daniel currently serves as a Financial Aid Advisor at San Jacinto College in Pasadena, Texas. He seeks to stay updated on financial aid changes and share that information with peers. His passion for learning drives his commitment to enhancing educational experiences and promoting psychological well-being among learners.
Daniel holds a master’s degree in human environmental sciences from the University of Alabama and a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Ohio University. He has earned the 16 available NASFAA credentials.
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Kendra Kaveney
Kendra Kaveney is an Associate Director of Financial Aid at Baylor University. She has four years of experience working in Financial Aid and currently manages the administration of private loans, state aid, Federal Work-study, grants, and scholarships. She is passionate about finding daily efficiencies and creating collaboration between Financial Aid and Campus Partners. Kendra holds a B.A. from Baylor University in Spanish, French, and Linguistics. She lives in Waco with her husband, 2 dogs (Jax & Missy), and a ball python named Loaf. Kendra is a constant crafter, which translates to many work-related Canva presentations and graphics, as well as off-the-clock projects ranging from quilting to painting, and just about everything in between.
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