Attendees:
Janet
McGrath
Lea
Nicholson
Michele
Rizzo
Jeanne
Mossios
Karen
Miller
Abbey Lisner Sallie Mae
Dan Dunn Student Capital
Matt Metz D’Youville College
Sister M. Diane Miller Villa Maria
Michael Rivera Chase Ed. Finance
Rodney Walton PNC Bank
Michael Williams HESC
Patty Peterson PNC Bank
Laura Worley Citibank
Debi Mansour Citibank
Darcie
Stephens Bank of
Jennifer Pollard Sallie Mae
Kathy Michalski NCCC
Kathleen Armstrong M & T Bank
Christine
Vukman
Martie Howell
Marc Woolf HESC
Julie
Smith
Terry
Adamczyk
Anne Barton NSLP
Katrina Delgrosso Student Capital
Brent McEnroe UB
Ambrose Price II Citizens Bank
Diane Kasprzak Villa Maria
Kevin Ryan UB
Rachel Barker AFC
Jerome Moss Key Bank
Sherrie Sheppard HSBC
Holly Zaglaniczny Edamerica
Ithrene Cameron Sallie Mae
Sharon Ross D’Youville
Kevin opened meeting with introductions and announcements.
“Congratulations” to Kathleen (O’Connell) Armstrong of M & T Bank who has recently married!!
Next meeting is scheduled at Canisius College on 3/15/07 April’s Meeting is scheduled at Buffalo State on 4/5/07 May’s meeting is scheduled at St. Bonaventure on 5/24/07 June’s meeting TBA
Brent McEnroe provided the treasury Report:
NYSFAAA Region 1 Meeting-Thursday February 22,
2007
Balance as of 12/07/2006 Equals: $3,220.36
12/15/2006
Plus:
Deposit $260.00 (Member fee for
Meeting)
Equals: $3,480.36
Minus:
Check #501 $1,813.92 (
Equals: $1,666.44
12/16/06
Plus:
Deposit $130.00 (Member fee for
Meeting)
Equals: $1,796.44
12/18/06
Plus:
Deposit $20.00 (Member fee for
Meeting)
Equals: $1,816.44
12/27/06
Plus: Deposit $345.99 (Early Awareness
Mailing/supplies reimbursement NYSFAAA)
Equals: $2,162.43
01/11/07
Plus:
Deposit $30.00 (Member fee for
Meeting)
Equals: $2,192.43
Minus: Check Image Fee $2.00
Equals: $2,190.43
02/07/07
Minus: Check Image Fee $2.00
Equals: $2,188.43
Ending Balance as of 02/07/07 Equals: $2,188.43
Exec Council Report given by Janet McGrath:
A “Thank You” from Janet McGrath for giving her this opportunity to represent Region 1. Feels honored to represent such a wonderful region. Mentioned that not all regions are the same.
The Mission Statement was approved.
Michele
Rizzo, Stephanie Atti and Warren Hoffman attended the
Legislative Training in
of the cutbacks which is the ability to benefit. Kevin asked what their theory was and Michele explained to them that it will only affect the prop schools so why make everyone suffer. Financial Aid issues are not a big deal to them; health issues are the major issue at hand. Senator Stachowski replied to them that they did not cut any of our programs and we should be happy with that. Michele replied no we want more and want is best for our students.
Ann Barton would like Janet to bring to Exec Council’s attention that Cindy Kohlman has a guide book that she created that Council should consider resurrecting to bring to the regions for review.
Kevin would like to team up with schools that have programs such as Counseling and Student Personnel to bring more student interns on board. Lea asked why we don’t invite grad students to attend our meetings so they can see what we do and how we interact and learn what NYSFAAA is all about as there is a misconception of what Financial Aid Professionals really do. Christine Vukman attended the meeting and she is currently an
intern at
Novice Training is scheduled for June 3rd – 8th in Cobleskill. Looks like region 1 is sending two folks to Novice. This is the last year for Cobleskill. It was mentioned to check on transportation for these two as it is a far drive.
Kevin mentioned that he would like to bring Novice to Region 1. They have looked into utilizing SUNY Fredonia and St Bonaventure. Wondering if they are seeking bids for future Novice sites. Mike Williams indicated that we can address Exec Council and let them know that we are interested in hosting Novice.
Update on College Goal Sunday by Ambrose Price:
Ambrose
would like to recognize volunteers in assisting with this event. Catherine Buzanski,
Karen Miller, Jeanne Mossios, Holly and Greg from
Admissions, Terry Adamczyk, Dan Hunter, Mike Woodruff, Lil
from the computer lab of Medaille College, Jerome, and 6-8 Student Ambassadors
of
showed up. What did they do right that we can do better for next year? We had tear off registration postcards but did not provide postage. Should add postage for the future. Need to reach out to the high school guidance community. Operationally we did OK, staffing was great, and prizes were great. Some of the prizes consisted of stadium blankets, i-tune cards, Wegman gift cards……everyone walked out with a prize.
About ¾ of the way into this program, NYSFAAA added additional assistance from Karen Taylor and Linda Bridgewater to assist on follow up issues and how to award the scholarship money.
College Goal Sunday set up a web registration which worked out well in some sites but not all students have access to a computer. During the planning program it was discussed that SUNY Day would not interfere with this event yet it was the day before. Ambrose has a few pictures that he would like to provide to Wayne Harewood, co-chair of College Goal Sunday to put out on the web. Ambrose very please with the outcome since it was the first time for NYS.
Michele Rizzo commented that it might be a good idea to reach out to EOP and HEOP students to aid in reaching out to their families.They are looking for feedback to see if Sunday is a good day or not, possible looking at hosting this event during the week. There was also talk about moving College Goal Sunday later in the year, may be OK for SUNY schools but not for privates as many recommend the FAFSA filing date by 2/1
Kathy Michalski mentioned utilizing the high School Counselor workshop as a resource. Ambrose is looking for volunteers for next year and he will provide a letter for the web, deadline is 3/24.
Kevin has info on SUNYFAP scholarship and award nominations; if you need this information please contact Kevin.
Kathy Michalski and Brian Levy are Co-Chairs fro the High School Counselor workshop. Their first meeting is 3/30/07. Kathy is also State wide Chair. Congratulations Kathy!!
Rachel Barker and Kathy Michalski are Co-Chairs for Support Staff workshop; First meeting was 2/1/07. Many great ideas, committee members had their homework to do to research site possibilities. We will meet again on 3/13/07 to firm up things. Changing the usual dates of Feb/Mar to later in the year, possibly May to see if we can’t draw more attendance. Attendance was approx 40 last year, but is still higher than other regions.
The Jim Briggs tax workshop did not happen this year, it was decided that region 1 would do the workshop every other year as opposed to every year. Will look at hosting it next year. Ann Barton recommends we confirm with Maria Barlaam to ensure that it would be covered by the state budget. Also it was mentioned that we will look at having it centrally located should we piggy back with region 2.
Elections are open for next year for:
Region 1 Exec Council
Chair
Treasurer
Secretary
Nominations will go out by 5/1/07. Should you consider running for any position please see Kevin for details.
Sarah will not be able to return next year, Kevin would like to stay on as chair and Brent
would like to stay on as treasurer and Janet as Exec Council rep.
There are 187 members for 06-07. We could always use new members please encourage those in your office that are not members to join.
Laura Worley provided an EASFAA Conference Update:
EASFAA registration is up and running. Have a strong representation. NYSFAAA is providing rain coats and doing a chicken wing event. Encourage everyone to check out the website. Try to be a day tripper if you cannot attend the full conference. Laura also recommended to be sure reading all e-mails that come through the list serv in reference to all that is happening as the democrats are Direct Loan constituents.
Holly Z was pleased to hear that Laura brought this up. She indicated that they need to hear from the schools. They need to hear this on a daily basis. Keep the comments flowing. Schools need to get involved.
Kevin and Holly will work together to format a letter to the region with all the info
necessary to locate legislators and to ensure that all schools have enough information to
be able to send out e-mails, faxes to their representatives
Training Sessions for today’s meeting were:
Special Conditions; moderated by Jeanne Mossios
Technology: Best Practices; moderated by Diane Kasprzak
Resolving Conflicting Information with the 1040; moderated by Martie Howell
Thank you Jeanne, Diane and Martie.
Marc Woolf provided the HESC Update:
New TAP Enhancement for 07-08
Effective immediately, students whose residence is being questioned can now complete the NYS Residence Review Questionnaire on-line at HESC.org.
If a
student reports a state or country other than
code “7” will appear on his TAP record. If the student completes his ETA on-line, they will be linked to the Residency Questionnaire:
• student address
• student state of residence
• student driver’s license
• parent state of residence
OR date of residence is less than one year from September 1 of the prior year
Additionally, colleges can download a Residency Questionnaire at HESC.org to distribute to students for completion. You can find the Questionnaire under “Forms for Financial Aid Professionals” in the General Functions section within Transaction Processing.
2007-08 College Data Survey is Available on the Web
The 2007-08 College Data Survey is now available on the Web. This data survey is used
annually to collect specific school information for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), Aid for Part-time Study (APTS) and scholarship processing. TAP Certifying Officers are
required to view the data displayed with the new 2007 Web pages and update the information as needed. Since this data will be used to process 2007-08 state aid, please make sure that your school’s TAP Certifying Officer updates the school information by March 31, 2007.
New Telephone Feature for School Administrators. HESC will soon be offering a new toll-free line dedicated for financial aid professionals. The dedicated line will feature a redesigned and simpler voice response system, which will also allow callers to be transferred to their chosen HESC program area. More information regarding this new communications enhancement will be announced shortly.
Greentree Gazette Student Loan Buying Guide
Based on recent feedback from school and lender partners, HESC will not be providing a public link on hesc.org to Greentree’s new Student Loan Buying Guide, which provides loan comparison features by program type. Feedback indicated that borrowers would/could bypass a school’s preferred lender list including the schools preferred loan processing method. Also, not all lenders were signed up with Greentree to participate in the new guide.
New HESC Staff
Jennifer Dwire, the former Regional Manager for Key Education, has joined HESC’s College and University Relations teams.
HESC Newsletter
As an additional means to communicate with the financial aid community, HESC recently e-mailed the January ’07 edition of the “HESC Colleague Newsletter” to financial aid administrators throughout the state. The current edition includes an update on new 07-08 TAP enhancements, and also spotlights NYSFAAA President David Canaski.