Financial aid is one of those professions where the learning never really stops.

Federal regulations shift. Guidance changes. New questions come up every year, and often every week. That makes professional development more than a nice opportunity. It is one of the ways financial aid staff stay current, strengthen their understanding of complex topics, and continue building the skills needed to support students well.

That is part of what makes the Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA) Summer Institute & Leadership Symposium such a valuable experience for financial aid professionals. Summer Institute offers training in core areas of financial aid administration, including NASFAA credentials that are updated each year, while the Leadership Symposium focuses on helping emerging leaders build their skills and grow within the profession.

For staff in the University of Iowa Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), one of the biggest takeaways was the chance to learn alongside colleagues from other institutions who are working through many of the same challenges.

“It’s so helpful to connect with financial aid professionals from other schools. It expands my professional network and introduces me to new ideas and ways of operating that I wouldn’t otherwise consider.”

Another attendee reflected on how valuable it was to talk through recent federal changes with peers across the region and compare how different schools are approaching the work.

“Attending Summer Institute was a great professional development opportunity. It was valuable to connect with colleagues from other institutions, talk through recent federal changes, and compare different policies and procedures. Hearing how others handle similar challenges gave me a fresh perspective and ideas I can bring back to our office.”

The University of Iowa was also represented on the faculty side this year. Jess Graham, assistant director for service operations and outreach, served as a trainer at the event. That role reflects another important part of professional development in financial aid. It is not only about learning from others, but also about contributing to the profession by sharing knowledge, helping newer staff build confidence, and creating space for colleagues to learn from one another.

“Professional development in financial aid is a critical way to connect with colleagues across institutions. As a profession, we are all constantly weathering the same storm of navigating regulatory changes, implementing new processes, and finding ways to best support our students.”

Events like MASFAA Summer Institute & Leadership Symposium give financial aid professionals the opportunity to step away from the day-to-day, deepen their knowledge, learn from peers, and return with new ideas and stronger professional connections. Those experiences strengthen not only individual staff members, but also the support offices like ours provide to students and families.

For more photos from the event, follow OSFA on Facebook and Instagram!