Message from the President

March 14, 2005

Greetings, my fellow NeASFAA members! It's a belated Happy New Year and I hope yours got off to a great start. Between counseling students, verifying files and certifying loans I hope you left some space in your thoughts about the ever elusive Reauthorization. It appears we need to remind Congress of our wishes and dreams that didn't get filled this past year. NeASFAA needs to make the push again but I'd like to ask each of you to make your feelings known about higher education and the role financial aid plays in it for your students. If you are passionate about a particular issue, let them know; and if you would like to write a short letter that you are willing to let others share, let me know. I'll put it out on the list serve with a note inviting members to follow this example.

Last April I challenged each of you to get out there and promote financial aid by talking to someone and I know some of you have been doing so. On December 9th I had the wonderful opportunity to join some NeASFAA members and we talked about financial aid and other topics with concerned callers on the Countdown to College program. Early on the calls were geared towards admissions questions and we were fortunate to have two experts in that area available to whom we passed the phones and questions. Dan Kunzman from Doane and Delmer Esters of EducationQuest were kept hopping. Delmer is the new face at the Lincoln EducationQuest Foundation office and comes from UNL with a background in housing and admissions. Once the panel focused more on financial aid issues the questions moved to our area of expertise and we hopefully answered the questions to their satisfaction. I did see some eye rolling so you probably can hear some of the questions that were being asked.

I'm planning on seeing many of you in Kearney this spring. Be sure you have your calendar marked to attend the NeASFAA spring conference April 27th to the 29th. PDC is hard at work planning another great conference for you. Our RMASFAA president has agreed to attend so I want to show her how much we value our membership and our chances to get together to share all the highlights of the profession.

Smiles,
Shirley

Movers & Shakers

March 14, 2005

Congratulations to Rhonda Pickerel who was promoted from Financial Aid Technician to Associate Director of Financial Aid at Southeast Community College, Lincoln Campus. Rhonda replaces Amy Armstrong who moved to Laramie, WY in order for her husband to pursue his education.

Best wishes to Louise Driver who resigned from Dana College. Louise is returning home to be nearer her grandchildren in Alaska. Dana College has not yet found a replacement for Louise. At this time, Bob Schmoll, Vice President and CFO, is assuming the financial aid responsibilities until Louise's replacement is found.

Tammi Preston, has been promoted from Outreach Manager to Director of Outreach Services for EducationQuest Foundation. Congratulations, Tammi!

Quinten Alexander Hogeland was born on September 7, 2004, to Andy and Melinda Hogeland. He was 8 pounds 12 ounces and 21 1/2 inches long. His big brother is Spencer, age 2. Melinda works for EducationQuest Foundation in Kearney.

The Lincoln College Planning office welcomes Delmer Esters to their staff. Delmer previously worked in Admissions at UNL. He replaces David Duzik. David transferred to the Omaha College Planning Office replacing Sara Sell.

Sara Sell was hired in September 2004 as Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Creighton.

Grace University has many changes to report...
After 10 years at Grace University, Lydia Thompson retired in December. Lydia has decided to slow down a little bit and enjoy life. However, she has indicated that she is available for consulting! Enjoy yourself, Lydia! Dale Brown was promoted from Associate Director to Director of Financial Aid. Dinah Grove started as a Financial Aid Counselor with Grace on December 15, 2004. She replaces Maria Zellmer who took a position with the Omaha Police Department.

Farewell to Tony Garife who resigned from his position with Nelnet.

Best Wishes and Congratulations to Angie Miller. In November Angie and her husband, Rob along with big brother Danny, welcomed a baby girl, Lindsey Mae into their family. Angie has since decided to work as a full time mommy. Angie's last day at UNMC was January 31. She will be greatly missed!

Congratulations to Jenni Burke who has been promoted to Manager of the ITS team at Nelnet! Way to go, Jenni!

Brent Carpenter has left his position at Commerce Bank in KS and has joined USAFunds.

A new addition to the Mark Schilmoeller clan...
Sarah Katherine Schilmoeller was born on December 12, 2003 weighing in at 3lb and 8 oz. Although she came early, Mark says she is doing great. Sarah spent the first month in the hospital gaining a little weight, but everyone is fine now and she is at home trying to adjust to life with her older siblings.

Congratulations to Laura Jandl. Laura recently won a trip to Hawaii from Wells Fargo!

Changes at Bahner...
Bahner College of Hairstyling has been recently acquired by La'James International College. La'James is a large leader in the Cosmetology industry. Bahner will become their 7th campus. Please note: To reach Mike Evert his new e-mail is: mevert@lajames.net Mike's new title is College Administrator.(a/k/a Jack of all Trades).

Claire Fredstrom will be retiring from Nebraska Wesleyan in June 2005. Thank you to Claire to his many contributions to NeASFAA over the years. Enjoy Retirement!! Welcome to Tom Oschner and Robyn Hohensee to Financial Aid at Wesleyan. Tom will be the new Director of Financial Aid at Wesleyan upon Claire's retirement. Tom has previously worked at Nebraska Wesleyan in the Business Office. Robyn has also worked in the Business Office at NWU. She is currently working with the Wesleyan Advantage students.

Committee Updates

by Peggy Tvrdy

March 15, 2005

February 2005

FINANCE AND AUDIT COMMITTEE
Sara Smith, Chair

The Finance and Audit Committee would like to remind everyone that budget time is just around the corner. Committee chairs should begin discussions with their committees about the coming budget cycle and any changes they would like to make to their budgets. Budget packets will be distributed at the January Board Meeting to all Officers and Committee Chairs.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE
Amanda Blue, Chair

The NeASFAA Spring Conference will be held April 27-29 at the Holiday Inn in Kearney. The theme for this year is "I love the 80's" so be prepared to tease your hair, wear parachute pants and have a good time. There will be a DJ/Dance on Wednesday night. Sessions will include a Business EtiquetteTrack, Federal Update, Ethics in Financial Aid and so much more! Watch your e-mail and mail for more information. Registration this year will be on-line only. See you there!

NSLP Update

March 17, 2005

February 2005

Education is on the Rise in Nebraska
by Kent Wolfe
Research Unit
National Student Loan Program

According to U.S. Census Bureau data, Nebraska adults entered the 21st century with considerable improvement in their educational standing. Between the 1990 census and the 2003 census supplement, the number of residents age 25 and older with high school degrees rose from 815,000 to 978,000. Over the same period, the number of residents with Bachelor's degrees expanded from 189,000 to 289,000 (Chart 1).

Of Nebraska residents age 25 and older, 91% were high school graduates as of 2003 compared to 82% as of 1990. Even more praiseworthy is that the proportion of the state's adult population holding Bachelor's degrees expanded from 19% in 1990 to 27% in 2003 (Chart 2).

Due to the relatively larger gain in residents with Bachelor's degrees than with high school diplomas, the proportion of the state's high school graduates who earned a Bachelor's degree rose from 23% in 1990 to 30% in 2003.

For more information about educational attainment in Nebraska, contact Kent Wolfe at 800-735-8778, ext. 6940 or Mark Krings at ext. 6835.

USA Funds Update

March 17, 2005

December 2004

"One-Less" Strategies Can Mean Real Savings for Your Students
Submitted by: Brent Carpenter, USA Funds Services

Graduate and professional students and adult learners often find that they have to downsize and adjust their standards of living to meet the lifestyle and budgetary demands of continuing their studies.

"Reentering School - How Do I Adjust My Standard of Living," the new minimodule from the USA Funds^� Life Skills^� financial-literacy program, offers "one-less" strategies to share with graduate or professional students or adult learners who are struggling to find ways to save money to meet their educational expenses.

The following list of small sacrifices, and the savings that result, can help you show your students how cutting out a few expenses over time leads to significant savings:

USA Funds Life Skills suggests that students select the "one-less" strategies that they are willing to follow and consider whether there are other items of which they could do with "one less."

More tips for coping with the costs of reentering school - as well as information about financial aid, completing school on time, succeeding in school and after graduation, and repaying education loans - is available in USA Funds Life Skills.