Agenda

Welcome and Opening Remarks
Janice Crampton, Executive Director and CEO, AISAP

Session I: From a Practitioner Perspective: The State of Financial Aid Today 

Dive into an engaging exploration of the latest trends, challenges, and innovative practices shaping the financial aid landscape! From the seat of a longstanding practitioner, learn how schools are adjusting to the evolving needs of families, keeping up with regulatory updates, and managing financial pressures. You’ll also discover practical strategies for successfully navigating these changes. Perfect for financial aid professionals who want to stay ahead of the curve, this session promises a thorough overview of the dynamic state of financial aid today!

Jim Ventre, Assistant Head of School for Admission and Financial Aid, Phillips Academy
Janice Crampton, Executive Director and CEO, AISAP
Alisa Evans, Founder and CEO, Mission Enrollment 
Financial Aid Platform Reps

Session II: Data and Spreadsheets

These sessions are designed to help financial aid professionals enhance their data management and analysis skills using spreadsheets. You will learn how to effectively organize, analyze, and present financial aid data to support decision-making. We will cover essential spreadsheet functions, tips for managing datasets, and best practices for creating clear, actionable reports. Whether you’re new to working with data or looking to sharpen your skills, we will equip you with tools to streamline your financial aid processes and make data-driven decisions with confidence.

• Essential Spreadsheet Skills for Financial Professionals (Beginner)
  Elena Gorbatiuc, Admissions Data Analyst, Oregon Episcopal School
• Advanced Spreadsheet Skills for Financial Professionals (Intermediate)
  Alex Ragone, Director of Admission and Enrollment Management, Norwood School
• Building Board Reports (Advanced)
  Susan Emery, Director of Enrollment Management, Kingswood Oxford School
  
  

Session III: Awarding and Revenue Management

We will focus on the strategic intersection of financial aid awards and school revenue management. You will learn how to create and work with a budget, strategic approaches to net tuition revenue, and best practices for meeting the full cost of attendance. Whether you are responsible for allocating financial aid or overseeing budget impacts, you’ll get valuable insights into how financial aid decisions influence both access and revenue.

• Creating and Working with a Budget (Beginner)
  Matt Rosen, Director of Financial Operations, Friends Select School
  Rohan Arjun, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, Friends Select School
• Equitable Access: DEI Strategies for Meeting the Full Cost of Attendance (Intermediate)
  Genieve Rankel, Director of Financial Aid, Buckingham Browne & Nichols
  Amy deBorst, Director of Financial Aid, Greenhill School
• Strategic Approaches to Net Tuition Revenue: Short and Long-Term Perspectives (Advanced)
  Drew Cocco, Vice-President of Client Experience, Clarity
  
  

Session IV: Marketing Communication Conversations and Legalities of Financial Aid

These sessions explore the essential elements of effectively communicating financial aid information while staying compliant with legal and ethical standards. We will cover strategies for crafting clear, transparent marketing messages, navigating sensitive conversations with families, and ensuring that all communication aligns with current legal regulations. You will take away best practices for managing expectations, building trust, and minimizing risk through accurate and thoughtful communication.

• Navigating Tough Talks: The Role of Cultural Competency (Beginner)
  Rebecca Malotke Meslin, Coach and Consultant, Pleasantly Aggressive
• In-Person and Online Promotion of Financial Aid: Your System, Process, and Value Add (Intermediate)
  Christina Townsend Hartz, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, University School
• Understanding Legal Frameworks: Communication and Delivery Across State, Region, and Consortium (Advanced)
  Janice Gregerson, Counsel, Independent School Law, Venable LLP
  
  

Session V: Understanding Tax Returns

Get ready to unlock hidden secrets. You will get you the tools and expertise you need to decipher complex financial documents with confidence. Explore tax transcripts, K-1 forms, and business returns to gain valuable insights into a family's financial situation. We'll tackle common challenges and share practical tips for identifying crucial information while discussing strategies for using this data in applicant reviews. This is the perfect session if you are seeking to strengthen your skills to evaluate families with ownership in a business. Join us and gain the skills to support your fair, equitable, and well-informed financial aid decision-making.

• Decoding Transcripts, K1, Business Returns (Advanced)
  Anita Harper, Chief Operating Officer, Mission Enrollment
  
  

Case Study Introduction and Discussion

Alisa Evans, Founder and CEO, Mission Enrollment 

• Clarity
• Education Brands: SSS & TADS
• FACTS
• ISM FAST
• BlackBaud