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The 2024 WFAA Conference will be held in Spokane Valley, WA!
October 16-18, 2024
Mirabeau Park Hotel & Conference Center
1100 N Sullivan Rd
Spokane Valley, WA 99037
2024 WFAA Conference Registration is now CLOSED!
WFAA MEMBERSHIP PRICING FOR 2024-25 (Membership is valid from October 1, 2024 through September 30, 2025)
- 2024-25 WFAA Individual Membership (new or active/renewing members): $45
- 2024-25 WFAA Membership with Institutional Pricing (allows for enrollment of multiple/unlimited individual members from the same institution): $200
2024 CONFERENCE REGISTRATION FEES
Conference registration fees listed below are only for admission to the conference and do not include or guarantee hotel accommodations. Prices below do not include the annual individual or institutional WFAA membership fees for new or renewing members.
- Current WFAA Members (including members who have institutional pricing): $225/attendee
- Current WFAA Members Selected to Present a Breakout Session: $150/presenter
- Non-Members Not Seeking WFAA Membership: $270/attendee
- 2023-24 Sponsor/Vendor Members: $675 (Price includes one $225 individual conference registration plus a $450 vendor table fee. If more than one person will be attending the conference, additional individual conference registration fees are required.)
HOTEL BOOKING INFORMATION - Event group rate discount ended September 14, 2024.
Mirabeau Park Hotel & Conference Center hotel rooms at the discounted conference rate are $127/night, plus tax. The group rate dates include up to 2 days before and 2 days after the conference.
CHARITY SPOTLIGHT AND SILENT AUCTION
WFAA is proud to partner with local Spokane charity, Giving Back Spokane (GBS)! GBS strives to connect with and give resources to any individual or family who struggles with issues related to poverty. What started as one man, with one backpack, turned into over 3700 backpacks filled with supplies and given to those in need. Now, Giving Back Spokane continues to help Spokane tell stories of community and support by continuing its previous outreach, while actively seeking out new areas of need in the Pacific Northwest.
The 2024 WFAA Conference will include a silent auction, with all proceeds donated to Giving Back Spokane. Whether you’re artsy or crafty, have connections to unique items or experiences, or proudly represent your school with logo wear, we’d love your contributions to the silent auction! If you'd like to donate a basket or other item to be included in the silent auction, please bring the item(s) to the conference check-in table when you arrive (no alcohol or other age-restricted items are allowed).
Donations to GBS may also be made via PayPal (preferred), Venmo, Cash App, or cash/check at the conference.
TENTATIVE CONFERENCE AGENDA - CLICK HERE FOR DETAILED SESSION DESCRIPTIONS
| 2024 WFAA Conference Agenda |
| 10/16/2024 |
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8:00-9:30 AM
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WFAA Fall Meeting for Executive Council
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Spruce
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9:00-11:00 AM
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FAC Business Meeting with CTC's
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Ponderosa
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9:00- 12:00 PM
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Sponsor Setup
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Juniper and Tamarack
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10:00 - 12:30 PM
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Registration Table Open
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East Lobby
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11:00- 11:30 AM
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Newcomers Session with WFAA Executive Council
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Spruce
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12:00-12:10 PM
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Welcome from Incoming President Melanie Ruiz
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Juniper and Tamarack
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12:10- 1:45 PM
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Welcome Luncheon (Boxed lunch show ticket selection for meal)
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Juniper and Tamarack
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12:40-1:45 PM
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Keynote Erin Jones
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Juniper and Tamarack
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1:45- 2:00 PM
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Transition
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Breakout Session 1
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2:00- 3:00 PM
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Exceptional Customer Service in the 21st Century Presented by Rosemary Martinez-Kepford, Earnest
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Spruce
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2:00- 3:00 PM
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Unraveling the Mystery: Verifying Student Files in the Upside Down - Presented by Molly Walsh and Emily Huff, DigiPen Institute of Technology
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Juniper and Tamarack
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2:00- 3:00 PM
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Lean On Me: How Financial Aid Administrators Can Rely on Each Other in Times of Adversity Presented by Melanie Ruiz and Christine Taylor
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Ponderosa
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3:00- 3:30 PM
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Sponsor Visit and Break
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Juniper and Tamarack
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Breakout Session 2
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3:30-4:30 PM
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Altering Reality: Professional Judgment Adjustments to FAFSA Values – Presented by Molly Walsh, DigiPen Institute of Technology
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Juniper and Tamarack
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3:30-4:30 PM
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WASFA Tools for FAAs Presented by Carlie Curlee, WSAC
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Spruce
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3:30-4:30 PM
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Building Community on Campus Presented by John Bender, Lewis-Clark State College and WASFAA President
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Ponderosa
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Dinner on Own
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| 10/17/2024 |
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Breakfast on Own
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8:00-8:30 AM
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Networking and Sponsor Visit
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Juniper and Tamarack
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8:30 - 9:30 AM
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WSAC Update Presented by Carla Idohl-Corwin, WSAC
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Juniper and Tamarack
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9:30 - 10:00 AM
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WASFAA Update by WASFAA President John Bender
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Juniper and Tamarack
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10:00 - 10:30 AM
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Sponsor Visit and Break (snacks provided in Juniper and Tamarack)
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Juniper and Tamarack
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Breakout Session 1
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10:30-11:30 AM
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Unlocking the FAAC Credential: Is It Your Perfect Match? Presented by Molly Walsh, DigiPen Institute of Technology and Melanie Ruiz, Shoreline Community College
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Spruce
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10:30-11:30 AM
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SAP Best Practices: A Holistic Approach to Improve Retention and Student Outcomes Presented by Alexandra Bailey, Spokane Falls Community College
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Ponderosa
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10:30-11:30 AM
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Internal and External Threats Facing Title IV Institutions Presented by OIG Special Agent in Charge, Adam Shanedling
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Juniper and Tamarack
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11:30 AM-12:30 PM
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Lunch & Networking (Buffet line in Gallery)
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Juniper and Tamarack
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12:15- 12:30 PM
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Charity Spotlight: Giving Back Spokane
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Juniper and Tamarack
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12:30-1:00 PM
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Introduce and Thank You to Our Sponsors
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Juniper and Tamarack
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1:00-1:15 PM
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Transition
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Breakout Session 2
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1:15- 2:15 PM
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SAI Methodology and Hand Calculations Presented by Molly Walsh and Emily Huff, DigiPen Institute of Technology
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Juniper and Tamarack
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1:15- 2:15 PM
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Financial Aid Completion Strategies and Resources Presentation by Christina Winstead, WSAC
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Spruce
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1:15- 2:15 PM
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Creating a training/onboarding plan for new Financial Aid Employees Presented by April Tovar Villa, Lower Columbia College
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Ponderosa
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2:15-2:45 PM
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Sponsor Visit and Break (snacks provided in Juniper and Tamarack)
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Juniper and Tamarack |
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Breakout Session 3
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2:45-3:45 PM
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Change Management - Navigating a Culture of Constant Evolution at Work Presented by Dawn Cypriano-McAferty, WSAC and Becky Thompson, Seattle Colleges
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Juniper and Tamarack
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2:45-3:45 PM
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Navigating Your Career in Financial Aid Presented by Chantel Fields, Bellingham Technical College
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Ponderosa
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2:45-3:45 PM
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Navigating the Value of Transparency and Choice Presented by Jeff Lackey, Sallie Mae
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Spruce
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3:45- 4:00 PM
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Transition
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Breakout Session 4
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4:00- 5:00 PM
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Scholarships – Finding Free Money for College Presented by Jeff Lackey, Sallie Mae
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Spruce
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4:00- 5:00 PM
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Supporting Mixed Status Families, Youth Experiencing Unaccompanied Homelessness, and Youth Experiencing Foster Care Presented by Christina Winstead, WSAC
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Juniper and Tamarack
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4:00- 5:00 PM
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State Financial Aid Basics Presented by Carlie Curlee, WSAC
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Ponderosa
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5:30-7:00 PM
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President's Reception - 1980's Themed! - Lite Hors D’oeuvres Served
Come party to the max and dress in your most tubular 80's fashion. This reception is going to be totally rad!
(Theme attire is optional - we won't have a cow if you're not wearing 80's threads)
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Juniper and Tamarack
Hors D’oeuvres and Drinks Served outside of room in East Lobby
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Dinner on Own
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| 10/18/2023 |
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8:00 AM
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Breakfast and Networking
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Juniper and Tamarack
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8:30-9:30 AM
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WFAA Business Meeting
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Juniper and Tamarack
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9:30-10:30 AM
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NASFAA Inside the Beltway Presented Virtually by Rachel Rotunda, NASFAA Director of Government Relations
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Juniper and Tamarack
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10:30 – 10:45 AM
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Break and Transition
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10:45 – 11:45 AM
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Federal Student Aid and FAFSA Update Presented Virtually by Linnea Hengst, U.S. Department of Education
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Juniper and Tamarack
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2024 WFAA AWARD NOMINATIONS - NOW CLOSED - COME CELEBRATE OUR AWARD WINNERS TO BE ANNOUNCED AT THE CONFERENCE!
We look forward to acknowledging members of our community for their outstanding achievements.
There are currently four awards: The Marianne Deeken New Professional Scholarship, Tim Henning Rookie of the Year, Unsung Hero Award, and Distinguished Service Award. Please see the Awards page for descriptions of each award.
The Awards and Recognition Committee will review nominations and winners will be announced at the WFAA Conference!
Past Conferences
2023 Annual Conference
2022 Annual Conference
2021 Annual Conference
2019 Annual Conference
2018 Annual Conference
2017 Annual Conference
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