VASFAA Board announcescandidates for spring electionBY NANCY ROBERTS

The VASFAA Executive Board has approved the following slate of candidates for the 2002-03 VASFAA Executive Board. A candidacy statement and photo of each candidate are included in this newsletter.

Candidates for president-elect are Sherwin Hibbets, Regent University;and Tom Morehouse, Thomas Nelson Community College.

Candidates for treasurer are John Crowley, Sallie Mae; and MelissaEllyson, Wells Fargo.

Candidates for one-year representative-at-large are Anita Aymer,ACCESS/Tidewater Scholarship Foundation; Brenda Burke, Virginia Tech;Jeanne Holmes, ECMC; Yvonne Hubbard, University of Virginia; andVirginia Stevens, Southwest Virginia Community College.

Candidates for two-year representative-at-large are Brad Barnett, JamesMadison University; Jolene Burke, EdSouth; Michael Poma, Bank One;Phillip Roff, Chase Manhattan Bank; and Jeff Scofield, Longwood College.

Voting will be April 22-23, at the Spring Conference in Norfolk, Va.Paid members who are unable to attend the conference can vote by completing the absentee ballot included in this newsletter. Absentee ballotsmust be received no later than Wednesday, April 17. Ballots received afterthat date will not be counted.

Members who want to make a nomination from the floor during theopening business session on Monday, April 22, must advise Nancy Robertsprior to the opening session. The nominee, if approved for the slate of candidates, can bring biographical information to be displayed at thepolling place.

Nancy Roberts is the immediate past president and chair of the Nominationsand Awards, and Bylaws committees. She is director of financial aid at VirginiaIntermont College.

VASFAA members share some laughs at the NASFAA Conference last July in Nashville. Pictured are, fromleft: Zita Barree, Virginia Commonwealth University; Karen Koonce, Tidewater Community College;Sherwin Hibbets, Regent University; and Jolene Burke, EdSouth.

VASFAA at NASFAA

VASF

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Winter2002ONLINE

Visions of a brighterfuture

VASFAA MissionVASFAA’s mission is to maintain an organization that promotes the professional growth and collaboration of its members to ethically, competently, and adequately serve the needs of students, families, and institutions in mattersrelated to financial and informational resources thatsupport students’ post-secondary education goals.

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BY TIM FREEMAN

Again, it’s time for our annual Spring Conference. Thisyear’s conference will be held at the Norfolk WatersideMarriott in downtown Norfolk, Va. I hope that youwill be able to join us at the conference.

We will elect new members for the VASFAAExecutive Board at the conference. I encourage you tovote at the conference or mail your absentee ballot to

Nancy Roberts if you are unable to attend the conference. Congratulates to Carol Mowbray on her SASFAA Services Award. VASFAA

was well represented at the annual SASFAA Conference.The board recently decided to continue having two VASFAA conferences

per year. We decided that we didn’t have enough time to make all the changesthat would be necessary if we switched to one annual conference. The boardvoted to let next year’s board decide on this issue.

Tim Freeman, president, is financial aid coordinator at Hampton Roads School of Technology.

FROMTHEEDITORThe VASFAAVOICE is published fourtimes per year (fall, winter, spring andsummer) online. If you are interestedin writing an article, contact Jessica Turner at 651.221.4068 or at jturner@ecmc.org Submit items forinclusion to Jessica Turner, ECMCGroup, 101 East Fifth Street, Suite1600, St. Paul, MN 55101 or e-mail to jturner@ecmc.org Includeyour contact information on all submissions.

The VASFAAVOICE staff cannot guarantee that everything submittedwill be included and reserves the rightto edit all materials.

Submission deadlines for 2002:Spring May 3Summer Aug. 8

Editor: Jessica Turner, ECMC GroupCommittee member: Tanya White,Old Dominion University

a word from the

PRESIDENT

If you have a suggestion that you think might improve or

enhance some part of VASFAA, we want to hear from you.

Follow this link to VASAA’s online suggestion box.

suggestionbox

VASFAA VOICE 2

Spring conference ...........................3

Entertainers wanted ........................3

Sallie Mae ad..................................3

VASFAA survey................................4

Citibank ad.....................................4

Grapevine news ..............................4

Committee updates .........................5

Support Staff Training

Committee Workshops ..................6

Bylaws changes ..............................7

Citizens Bank ad.............................7

SASFAA Conference recap................8

NASFAA spring training ...................9

New Aid Officers Workshop .............9

ECMC Group ad...............................9

NASFAA 911 scholarship list ..........10

Educaid ad....................................10

Guarantor updates........................11

Linda Barnes receives award .........12

SASFAA/SWASFAA Workshop .........12

Exit counseling resources ..............13

Calendar.......................................13

Candidate statements....................15

Absentee ballot

C O N T E N T S

The VASFAA Diversity

Committee needs talented

VASFAA entertainers for

the upcoming Spring

Conference.

If you can sing

and/or play a musical instrument,

and would be willing to perform

at the conference, contact Jolene

Burke at jojburke@aol.com,

jburke@edsouth.org or

757.259.7900.

wantede n t e r t a i n e r s

BY JOHN BEARD

The Conference Committee is diligently working to bring members an exciting Spring Conference. The conference will kick off Sunday eveningwith the President’s Reception. TimFreeman, president, looks forward togreeting everyone as we listen to musicand enjoy special musical guests.

On Monday, April 22, memberswill have time to meet committeemembers who volunteer for VASFAAand learn more about VASFAA’s variouscommittees. This will be a great timefor members to get more involved inVASFAA by signing up to volunteer.

On Tuesday, April 23, memberscan sit down and relax as they enjoygood food and great company. Therewill be a dinner buffet that is sure to

please the palate. After dinner, members can try their luck at casinogames or dance the night away. At theend of the evening, there will be anauction for prizes.

The conference will conclude onWednesday, April 24, with a breakfastbuffet and general session.

The Conference Committee looksforward to seeing everyone in Norfolkfor an exciting and educational journey.Don’t forget to visit the VASFAA Website for the most up-to-date details.

Don’t forget to bring your bag fromthe fall conference. It will serve as yourspring conference bag.

John Beard is chair of the ConferenceCommittee. He is the Senior VicePresident at U.S. Education FinanceCorporation.

Spring conference promises to be exciting and educational

3 WINTER 2002

The VASFAA Executive Board recentlyconducted a survey to assess the con-cerns and awareness of the membershipthe VASFAA membership. BradBarnett, James Madison University,said, “We hoped to find out what the membership knows about VASFAA,how they feel about what our organiza-tion is doing, and what their thoughtsare on where we are going.”

The results of that survey will bediscussed at a general session and insmall group breakout sessions duringthe Spring Conference. Additionally,the board will present issues raised bythe survey with potential alternativemethods of dealing with those issues.

Discussion time will be available forcomment on presented alternatives aswell as for new ideas.

The board hopes that the informa-tion collected through this survey willhelp facilitate a better understanding of VASFAA for everyone. “Ideally, wewould all walk away from the SpringConference ‘being on the same page’ of understanding regarding what VASFAA is doing and where we aregoing,” Barnett said.

The board used the paid member-ship list from the Fall Conference,which was approximately 320 people.The list was split among the 13 execu-tive board members who conducted thesurvey via phone, fax and e-mail.

VASFAA Board conducts surveyto connect with membership

G R A P E V I N ENEWS

MOVESCary Nelson, formerly of USA Group, joinedSunTrust Education Loans. Together, she andJoAnn Carreras will market to schools inVirginia.

DEATHSBiz Daniel’s, National Education, fatherpassed away on Friday, Nov. 16.

Rosetta Smith, mother of Marcia Boyd,Christopher Newport University, passed away on Saturday, Nov. 25, after an extended illness.

VASFAA VOICE 4

bits&piecesF R O M V A S F A A C O M M I T T E E S

BY TONY SUTPHIN

The Awareness Committee collectedthe following updates from VASFAAcommittees to make the membershipaware of each committee’s activities.

Awards The Awards Committee has selectedrecipients for all VASFAA awards,which will be announced at the SpringConference.

Bylaws The Bylaws Committee has been working on a proposed change to addthe treasurer-elect position to the slateof elected offices. For more informationabout this proposed change, see thearticle on page 7.

Conference Falling on the heels of a successful FallConference, the Conference Committeeis planning for the Spring Conference,which will be held in Norfolk, Va. atthe Norfolk Marriott Hotel.

Electronic Services The Electronic Services Committee hasaccomplished the following this year: • made updates to the Web site;• set up an online professional develop-

ment survey for the special commis-sion tasked to look at that area ofVASFAA development;

• set up an online VASFAA member-ship application process;

• set up an online VASFAA vendor andsponsor sponsorship selection process;

• worked with the VASFAA newslettereditor to publish the “VASFAA Voice”complete with active internal navigation links;

• secured the right to vasfaa.org andvasfaa.com for an additional nineyears, and ensured continued hostingfor the next 15 months; and

• created an online suggestion box forthe Web site, which is used to gathersuggestions and feedback from members and nonmembers alike.

The following activities are in progressor being investigated:• work with the Awareness Committee

to provide more online informationto secondary schools;

• work with membership to try and setup an online VASFAA membershipdatabase;

• develop standard Web tools to helpfuture committees maintain the VASFAA Web site;

• work with Support Staff TrainingCommittee to provide informationand online registration for upcomingsupport staff training; and

• work with other agencies for possibleideas about more projects (e.g. theVASFAA Electronic ServicesCommittee chair will chair the SASFAA Electronic ServicesCommittee for 2002-2003).

Loan Advisory Currently the committee is researchingand preparing a PowerPoint presenta-tion about the electronic MPN, loanconsolidation, 2002-03 Loan RateBaseline issue, and debt management.The committee also wants to add a

“hot link” to the VASFAA Web site somembers can ask loan questions andreceive a response from the LoanAdvisory Committee within 24-48hours.

Membership The Membership Committee is respon-sible for maintaining and providing apleasant, easy, and hassle-free registra-tion process for new and returningmembers. The committee also meetsand greets new members with sometype of social and networking event(usually a breakfast).

Newsletter The Newsletter Committee has pub-lished two online newsletters and hassecured all advertising for the year. Thecommittee still has two newsletters topublish this year in May and August.

Nominations and ElectionsThe Nominations and ElectionsCommittee has successfully solicited aslate of candidates who will run forelection at the Spring Conference.

Public Relations At the Fall Conference, the committeecollected 79 books for the RichmondBoys & Girls Teen Center. At thespring conference, the committee plansto have a fundraiser that will benefit theGreater Richmond Area ScholarshipProgram.

BITS & PIECES continues on page 14

5 WINTER 2002

BY PAT KELLY

The Support Staff Training Committee recently held fourworkshops, which was one of its goals for the year. The sitesfor the workshops were: Virginia Wesleyan College, Norfolk;John Tyler Community College, Chester; Northern VirginiaCommunity College, Alexandria; and Virginia PolytechnicInstitute and State University, Blacksburg.

“Communications Tune-up: Sharpening Your Skills Forthe Communications Age,” was presented on Feb. 6, 26, andMarch 6, at the College of William and Mary inWilliamsburg. It was led by Dr. Gene Roche, director of academic services, information technology. “A Workshop inCommunications” was presented at the Feb. 13, workshop.Deborah Westin, trainer for Suntrust, led this workshop. Allworkshops were highly rated by workshop registrants.

Each workshop allowed a maximum of 25 registrants.In Norfolk, 21 support staff personnel attended. In Chester,

25 support staff registered. Fifteen registrants attended theworkshop in northern Virginia, and 10 registrants attendedin Blacksburg.

When registrants were asked what they liked best aboutthe workshops, comments included: sharing informationwith colleagues, the exchange between people, listening toother colleague’s situations, and the interactive groups.

VASFAA members who are interested in volunteeringshould consider serving on the Support Staff TrainingCommittee next year. Showing appreciation to support staffmembers helps empower them in doing their best for thefinancial aid office.

Pat Kelly chairs the Support Staff Training Committee and is amember of the Experienced Aid Officers Training Committee.She works at the College of William and Mary.

Support Staff Training Committee holds fourworkshops throughout Virginia

Pictured above are the attendees at the Wednesday, Feb. 13, workshop held at John Tyler Community College. Attendees are, in alphabetical order: Sheila Allen, Virginia StateUniversity; Keith Balmer, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; Zita Barree, Virginia Commonwealth University (not pictured); Sylvia Blizzard, Virginia State University;Rosalee Brownlee, SCHEV; Felicia Carter, Thomas Nelson Community College; Lauretta Cutler, Virginia State University; Renee Davis, Thomas Nelson Community College; Sarah Dickens, ECMC; Aleta Harrison, Virginia Commonwealth University; Carolyn Henley, ECMC; Annette Howard Jones, Virginia State University; Annette Jones-Rogers,Virginia State University; Christine Miller, VCU School of Medicine; Tivoli Mosby, J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College; Kimberly Reilly, Virginia Commonwealth University;Helen Stallings, Thomas Nelson Community College; Shirley Thweatt, Virginia State University; and Elizabeth Waddy, SCHEV.

VASFAA VOICE 6

Board approves proposed changes to bylawsBY NANCY ROBERTS

The VASFAA Executive Board hasapproved the proposal to add the treasurer-elect position to the slate ofelected officers.

VASFAA members will be asked tovote yes or no on this change duringthe Spring Conference (or by absenteeballot for members not planning toattend the Spring Conference). A majority yes vote will make the changeeffective beginning with the 2002-03year (July 1, start date). If you havequestions, e-mail Nancy Roberts,Bylaws Committee chair, atnroberts@vic.edu

Following are sections of the bylawsthat would be affected by this proposal,if approved.

Article VI – Officers – OfficersFirst paragraph, sentences one throughthree

Current bylaws: The elected officers ofthe Association shall be the President,President-Elect, Secretary, Treasurer,Immediate Past President, AndRepresentatives(s)-at-Large. ThePresident, President-Elect andImmediate Past-President will serve fora period of one year. The Secretary,Treasurer and Representative(s)-at-Largewill serve for a period of two years.

Proposed change: The elected officersof the Association shall be thePresident, President-Elect, Secretary,Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, ImmediatePast President, and Representatives(s)-at-Large. The President, President-Elect, Immediate Past President,

Treasurer and Treasurer-Elect will servefor a period of one year. The Secretaryand Representative(s)-at-Large willserve for a period of two years.

Article VI – Officers – Officers Second paragraph

Current bylaws: The President-Elect,Treasurer, Secretary andRepresentative(s)-at-Large shall be elect-ed by a majority vote of the total votescast by the active membership.

Proposed change: The President-Elect,Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect, Secretary,and Representative(s)-at-Large shall beelected by a majority vote of the totalvotes cast by the active membership.

BYLAWS continues on page 14

7 WINTER 2002

BY LISA TUMER

There were a total of 699 conferees inattendance at “SASFAA 2002: KeepingYou on the Right Track.” A review ofthe conference evaluations reveals thatthe conference was a huge success andmet the expectations of the attendees.

The opening session speaker wasDr. Robert C. Khayat, chancellor of theUniversity of Mississippi. Dr. Khayatgave a presentation on the aid adminis-trator’s role in ensuring access to education for all students. He statedthat financial aid administrators opendoors for students and contribute totheir successes in life. He challenged usto continue to find ways to educate students through our profession, and hereminded us that our reward is the success of our students.

On Monday morning, the keynotespeaker was Mauricio Velasquez, president of the Diversity TrainingGroup. His presentation on diversitytaught everyone what they know, whatthey don’t know and what they don’tknow that they don’t know. It soundsconfusing, but by the end of the presentation, everyone knew what theydid not know.

Tuesday morning, Jeff Baker, director of theProgram DevelopmentDivision with the U.S.Department of Education,provided a federal update.

During the banquet, SASFAA’sown Cruzita “Crusie” Lucero, NASFAAnational chair, addressed the attendees.Lucero talked about what was going on at NASFAA, and presented theNASFAA Leadership Award to SusanLittle, director of financial aid at theUniversity of Georgia.

SASFAA presented several awardsand honors during the banquet. Lifetime memberships were presentedto Ray Tripp, formerly of the Universityof Georgia, and John Banister fromSouth Carolina. SASFAA also presentedDistinguished Service Awards to SusanLittle, University of Georgia, and CarolMowbray, Northern VirginiaCommunity College.

SASFAA election results wereannounced during the banquet, and the following individuals were electedby the membership. Ron Day,Birmingham-Southern College, waselected SASFAA president-elect. EllenGreen, Charleston Southern University,was elected SASFAA vice president.Dee Talley, University of Alabama atBirmingham, was elected SASFAA secretary.

SASFAA’s community service project this year was the KentuckyHarvest, an organization that feeds thehungry in the community through fooddonations. SASFAA raised $1,117 forKentucky Harvest.

The main focus of the conferencewas to provide excellent training to itsmembers. This was accomplished withthe variety of concurrent sessionsoffered in different tracks, including:new aid officer’s, technology, manage-ment, and professional development.

Other conference highlights included everyone dressing in his or herschool or organization colors for schoolpride day, having a record number ofindividuals attend bingo, and the computer lab.

If you were unable to attend theconference, but would like informationabout various presentations that wereoffered, you can access this informationon SASFAA’s Web site, www.sasfaa.org,under Conference 2002.

Lisa Tumer is the SASFAA ConferenceCommittee chair. She is director of finan-cial aid at James Madison University.

SASFAA 2002 was definitely on the right track!

VASFAA VOICE 8

Pictured are members of the SASFAALocal Arrangements Committee at the

SASFAA Conference President’sAppreciation Reception. Kneeling are,left to right: Michael Morgan, KASFAA

president; and Dave Wuinee, LocalArrangements Committee chair.Behind them are, left to right:

Lori Dial, Sandy Neel, Becky Carson,Jennifer Cosens, Heather Boutell,

Rosemary Tutt, and Ron McMakin.

ECMCGROUP7325 Beaufont Springs Drive Richmond, VA 23225

Tel: 888.775.3262 Fax: 804.267.7153 www.ecmc.org

Together, we help educate America.

We are a proud VASFAA sponsor.

NASFAA spring training covers vital financial aid topicsWASHINGTON, D.C. — The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is pleased to announce itsspring 2002 training series, which willaddress four areas of significant inter-est to financial aid and other campusadministrators.

• Verification: A Review of CurrentRequirements in Today’sEnvironment

• Cash Management Notifications andAuthorizations

• FERPA/Information ReleasesThroughout the Institution –Requirements and Good Practices

• Program Participation Agreements –How to Ensure You MaintainInstitutional Eligibility

The Web site, www.nasfaa.org/SubHomes/2002SpringTraining/index.html, provides a detailed look atNASFAA’s spring training, andincludes a list of sites and dates.

All training is sponsored by the state and regional financial aid associations, and is offered either as a stand-alone workshop, or as part of a state or regional spring meeting. By sponsoring the training, a state or regional association selects the locations, dates and instructors, andcoordinates registration activities. A team of experienced financial aidadministrators, trained by NASFAA,conducts the workshops.

For more information, visit www.nasfaa.org, or contact ConnieMcCormick at 202.785.0453, Ext. 148 or mccormickc@nasfaa.org

The 2002 New Aid Officers

Workshop will be held June

16-21, at Furman University

in Greenville, S.C. Registration

information is available at

www.sasfaa.org under

“Summer Workshop.” At this

site, you can download a

registration form and submit

it to Sonja McMullen, SASFAA

treasurer. For more information,

visit the Web site or e-mail

Ron Day at rday@bsc.edu

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WASHINGTON, D.C. — Since theevents of September 11 the NationalAssociation of Student Financial AidAdministrators (NASFAA) has developed and maintained the solecomprehensive source of September 11 scholarship opportunities.

The scholarship list is available tothe public and can be found atwww.nasfaa.org/911scholarships.aspThe list includes programs generallyavailable to families of the September11 victims as well as institution-specific scholarship programs.

September 11 Scholarship Alliancedevelops common applicationThe September 11 ScholarshipAlliance, a group of funding organiza-tions and scholarship administrators,

has developed a common registrationand application procedure designed toassist families of the victims of theSeptember 11 attacks in obtainingscholarships for post-secondary enrollment. The procedure is designedto make the process as simple andseamless as possible for applicants. The alliance already has implemented a centralized telephone number,877.862.0136, to handle inquiries fromprospective scholarship recipients. Thealliance also is developing a centralizedWeb site to provide registration andapplication information, and forms.

Current September 11 Alliancemembers include the Citizens’Scholarship Foundation ofAmerica/Families of FreedomScholarship Fund; Citigroup Relief

Fund; Educational Testing Service;International Youth Foundation/NokiaEducation Fund; New York StateHigher Education ServicesCorporation; The Children’s AidSociety; September 11, 2001 Children’sFund; US Freightways Corporation;Jack Kent Cooke Foundation; and theUnited Negro College Fund. Advisorymembers include the September 11thFund, FEMA and American JewishWorld Service. A number of additionalorganizations also participate in thealliance’s meetings. NASFAA serves in aconsulting capacity to the alliance onfinancial aid-related issues.

For more information on theSeptember 11 Alliance, contact ChipRaymond, Citigroup Foundation president, at 212.793.8451.

NASFAA 911 scholarship list available to public

VASFAA VOICE 10

guarantorupdatesECMC

BY MIKE HAWKES

ECMC prepares for e-signatures and PLUS MasterPromissory Note

In January, ECMC conducted workshops at three locationsin Virginia to describe its plans for implementing an electronic signature process as well as the PLUS MasterPromissory Note (MPN).

ECMC’s e-signature process will not require the studentto obtain either a password or personal identification number. The process will be 100 percent compliant with the e-signature law, and it will capture the borrower’s intent tosign a note electronically at several stages in the process.

While no formal announcement has been made regard-ing when the PLUS MPN will be implemented, it probablywill not happen until the 2003-04 academic year. However,in the event earlier implementation is allowed, ECMC hasbegun system modifications to accommodate the PLUSMPN for the upcoming academic year.

ECMC launches Lunch Buddy Program

The Richmond Public School Board recently recognizedECMC’s lunch buddies for their efforts to promote andenhance school and community relations at the Miles J.Jones Elementary School. A plaque was presented to thelunch buddies who were able to attend the meeting.

The lunch buddies are 20 staff members who alternateeach Monday, and spend one hour reading and sharing withsecond graders at the school. The Lunch Buddy Program hasbeen beneficial to the students as well as the volunteers. Itgives staff an opportunity to volunteer in the community andallows ECMC to give life to its mission of “Helping EducateAmerica.”

Mike Hawkes is director, policy and communications, at ECMCGroup. He is the VASFAA treasurer.

USA Funds

BY MARVIN RAGLAND

USA Funds supports e-signature option

USA Funds® supports the option of electronic signatures onStafford and PLUS loan promissory notes.

USA Funds supports the “PIN-less” e-signature processdeveloped by its guarantor servicer, Sallie Mae. This onlineprocess allows a potential borrower to use the e-signatureprocess without having to obtain, or remember, a PersonalIdentification Number (PIN). In addition to providing moreconvenient loan delivery, the “PIN-less” e-signature methodpreserves the integrity of the student loan process.

Although USA Funds supports the “PIN-less” process,the guarantor will work with lenders to support other e-signature methods. Lenders that use USA Funds’ LenderFunds Management (LFM) disbursement services canrequest that USA Funds support alternative e-signatureprocesses. USA Funds is asking lenders that do not use LFMto send information about the processes they use so USAFunds can ensure the best possible loan guarantee service tothose lenders.

For more information, contact your USA Funds servicesrepresentative, Marvin Ragland, at 434.534.9190; toll free at866.497.USAF (866.497.8723), Ext. 9190; or atmragland@usafunds.org

USA Funds accepts applications for its $3 million scholarship program

USA Funds® has announced that applications now are available for its $3 million national scholarship program toassist college students who demonstrate financial need. USAFunds will award $1,500 scholarships to qualified full-timeundergraduate and graduate students, and $750 scholarshipsto qualified half-time undergraduate students for the 2002-03 academic year.

To qualify for USA Funds Access to EducationScholarships™, applicants must be enrolled or plan to enrollin coursework at an accredited two- or four-year college,

USA FUNDS continues on page 12

11 WINTER 2002

BY TANYA WHITE

Linda Barnes, Old Dominion University (ODU),received the ODU Customer Relations Employee ofthe Year Award on Nov. 20. There were a total of 29other employees nominated for this prestigiousaward, which is honored by a plaque, three days ofrecognition leave and a $500 check.

The award was bestowed on Barnes because ofher compassion and dedication toward her clients aswell as the university and public community. Barnes’supervisor, Patricia Hinton, says, “I can truly say thatI have never met a more caring, giving, loyal or dedi-cated employee. She always goes the extra mile andstrives to satisfy each client no matter how difficult.”Barnes has been described by many of her co-workersas dependable, friendly, cooperative, and always thereto lend a helping hand. In addition to being dedicated to herco-workers and the campus community, she often receives e-mails, letters, compliments, flowers, and gifts from studentsand parents showing their appreciation. One student said,“Thank you for your fast and accurate financial aid letter.You are so good! Please don’t leave until I graduate. Whatwould I do without you?” Another said, “I would like tothank you for all you have done. I know it’s your job, butyou make me feel like more than a Social Security Number.”

According to Barnes, “Customer service is simply uncon-ditional, positive regard to others regardless of how difficult

it may be. That is not something I always can do, but it certainly is a goal. I still view this as a service profession. I also still believe in the original goals of financial aid programs, which are access to higher education, choice ofschools, and the ability to persist in attaining an education.”

Barnes has been an ODU employee since 1975. She hasworked as a financial aid counselor for 19 years and beforethat was the Veterans affairs coordinator.

Tanya White is a member of the Newsletter and Membership committees. She is executive assistant to the director at ODU.

Linda Barnes receives award for excellence in customer relations

Linda Barnes, center, is presented the Customer Relations Employee of the Year Award at OldDominion University. Presenting the award are President Roseann Ruante, left, and GlendaHumphreys, director of human resources.

Photo by Chuck Thomas

USA FUNDS continued from page 11

university, vocational/technical school or graduate school,and must come from families with annual adjusted grosshousehold incomes of $35,000 or less. Up to 50 percent ofthe scholarship awards will be targeted to applicants who aremembers of an ethnic minority group or have a documentedphysical disability.

To qualify for an award, applications for the USA FundsAccess to Education Scholarships must be postmarked byApril 15, 2002. For eligibility information and to downloadan application, visit USA Funds’ Web site atwww.usafunds.org For additional information, contactCitizens’ Scholarship Foundation of America Inc., whichadministers the scholarship program on behalf of USA Fundsat 800.537.4180 or scholarship@usafunds.org

Marvin Ragland is regional director at USA Funds Services.

The SASFAA/SWASFAA Mid-level Workshop will be held June

23-25, at Millsaps College in Jackson, Miss. It is designed

for intermediate aid officers and will offer an advanced

overview of the financial aid processes. It also will provide

information about various day-to-day responsibilities for

financial aid professionals. For more information, you can

e-mail SASFAA co-chairs, Mary Givhan at givhan@mc.edu

and Ray Tripp at rtripp@edamerica.org You also can e-mail

Dorenda Adams, curriculum director, at

dadams@asunet.alasu.edu

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APRIL 6-7NASFAA Best Practices Symposium,Grove Hotel and Conference Center,Boise, Idaho

APRIL 14-15NASFAA Best Practices Symposium,Washington Dulles Airport Marriott,Washington, D.C.

APRIL 21-23NASFAA Best Practices Symposium,Dallas/Fort Worth Sheraton Grand,Dallas, Texas

APRIL 21-24VASFAA Spring Conference, Waterside Mariott, Norfolk, Va.

JUNE 3-4NASFAA Best Practices Symposium,Colorado College, Colorado Springs, Colo.

JUNE 6-9SASFAA Transitional Board Meeting,Don Cesar, St. Petersburg, Va.

JUNE 16-21New Aid Officers Workshop, Furman University, Greenville, S.C.

JUNE 23-25SASFAA/SWASFAA Mid-levelWorkshop, Millsaps College, Jackson, Miss.

CALENDARM A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R

Gearing up for exit counseling:Valuable resources for studentsBY SARAH PERRY

Soon enough, another spring semesterwill be coming to an end. Students will flood the office to sign up for exitcounseling, seek advice on futuremoney matters, and ask for assistanceon finding summer employment ortheir first job after graduation. Get a jumpstart on your preparation by taking note of these valuable Internetresources for students.

Managing money to repay loansDespite the availability of a wide variety of resources, a surprisingly high percentage of college students find it difficult to manage their money. Getting them to develop effective money management skills is critical, especially if they are carryinga high debt load.

A great resource for students isavailable by visiting www.AdventuresInEducation.org, and selecting“College,” “Finance Your Education”and “Managing Your Money.” Oncethere, students can find templates andadvice on how to prepare budgets foruse during school and after graduation.Useful tools on repaying student loansand seeking loan forgiveness also areavailable.

Preparing for the job searchGet a job! The phrase takes a specialmeaning each spring season as continu-ing students seek temporary summerpositions, and spring graduates preparefor their first plunge into the full-timejob market. Before you send them intothe “real world,” however, get them topolish up their resumes, practice theirinterviewing skills, and find greatsources for the best jobs.

For advice on these topics, direct students to www.AdventuresInEducation.org, and tell them to select “College” and “Get a Job.” This section is filled with informationabout how to find jobs, write a resume,and prepare for an interview. Studentscan even use one of the sample resumesprovided to help them build their own.

Finding the right jobOnce the resume is complete, the shoes are polished, and the practiceinterviews are done, students will wantto know where they can find out whatjobs are available. In addition to networking, searching newspaper classifieds, and visiting college place-ment offices, remind them that onlinejob banks are useful places to look forwhat’s available.

One site, www.JobGusher.com™, specifically is geared to students.Employers who post their positions onJobGusher are seeking students for avariety of internships, seasonal andtemporary work, and other careeropportunities. Students can set upsearch agents, participate in online jobfairs, and get frequent updates of jobsthat employers want to fill immediately.

Getting the word outSo what’s the best way to give studentsinformation about these resources? To get free bookmarks, posters, andbrochures in English or Spanish aboutwww.AdventuresInEducation.org, sendan e-mail to communications@tgslc.orgBrochures and posters about www.JobGusher.com are available by e-mailingmary.mcclanahan@jobgusher.com

Sarah Perry is a national account representative with Texas Guaranteed.

reminderSubmissions for the spring newsletter are due Friday,

May 3, to jturner@ecmc.org

13 WINTER 2002

BITS & PIECES continued from page 5

Site Selection The committee has met and continuesto work on updating and finalizing theretreats and conferences for the comingyear. The Fall Retreat was held Jan. 24-25, at the Williamsburg HospitalityHouse in Williamsburg, Va. The Summer Retreat is scheduled for May 22-24, at Donaldson Brown andConference Center in Blacksburg, Va.The committee hopes to have the oldboard and committee chairs meet forone day with the new board and chairsto make the transition easier. The2002-03 Fall Retreat will be held at theHotel Roanoke in Roanoke, Va. Datesand rates have not been determined.The board will select the 2002-03Spring Conference site at the FallConference board meeting.

Strategic PlanningThe Strategic Planning Committee isworking to provide guidance (based on the strategic plan and its collectiveexperience with VASFAA) to the president, president-elect, board, and committee chairs for 2002-03 and beyond. The committee hopes to provide standardized guidance to institutionalize basic goals andapproaches for officers, commissionersand committee chairs from year to yearwhile allowing for continued flexibilityand innovation.

Support Staff Committee The Support Staff Committee met atthe Fall Conference. They had toregroup with the following new members: Joanne Carreras, SunTrust;Sherrye Ward, SunTrust; Jolene Burke,EdSouth; Meriann Reid, College ofWilliam and Mary; Sandy Haverlack,Daubney Lancaster CommunityCollege; and Zita Barree, VirginiaCommonwealth University.

The committee held four work-shops during February at several sitesthroughout the Commonwealth. Theworkshops focused on communication.

For more information about the workshops, see the article and photoson page 6.

Tony Sutphin is a financial aid counselorat Virginia Tech. He is a member of theAwareness Committee.

BYLAWS continued from page 7

Article VI – OfficersFourth paragraph: add last sentence

Proposed change: Upon the completionof the term as Treasurer-Elect, that indi-vidual shall become Treasurer of theAssociation until a successor is elected.

Article VI – OfficersFifth paragraph: add sentences twothrough four

Current bylaws: In the event of avacancy in the office of the President,the President-Elect shall assume theduties of the President without preju-dice to his/her term of office. In theevent of a vacancy in the office ofTreasurer, Secretary or Representative-at-Large, the President shall appoint areplacement, with approval of theBoard of Directors, whose term willend with the end of the current fiscalyear. In the event of a vacancy in theoffice of President-Elect, it shall befilled by the method of the originalselection.

Proposed change: In the event of avacancy in the office of the Treasurer,the Treasurer-Elect shall assume theduties of the Treasurer without preju-dice to his/her term of office. In theevent of a vacancy in the office ofSecretary or Representative-at-Large,the President shall appoint a replace-ment, with approval of the Board ofDirectors, whose term will end with theend of the current fiscal year. In theevent of a vacancy in the office ofPresident-Elect or Treasurer-Elect, itshall be filled by the method of theoriginal selection.

Article VII – Duties of OfficersAdd paragraph six

Proposed change: Treasurer-Elect – The Treasurer-Elect shall perform allduties of the Treasurer in his or herabsence, or at his or her request, andshall perform such duties as may berequired by the Association.

Article VIII – Board of DirectorsFirst paragraph, second sentence

Current bylaws: The Board of Directorsshall function as an Executive Board ofthe Association and shall consist of thePresident, President-Elect, ImmediatePast President, Secretary, Treasurer andRepresentatives(s)-at-Large.

Proposed change: The Board ofDirectors shall function as an ExecutiveBoard of the Association and shall consist of the President, President-Elect,Immediate Past-President, Secretary,Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect andRepresentative(s)-at-Large.

Article XI – Nominations andElections; VotingFirst paragraph, second sentence

Current bylaws: The Secretary,Treasurer, and Representative(s)-at-Large must be Active members of theassociation as specified in Article IV.

Proposed change: The Secretary,Treasurer, Treasurer-Elect andRepresentative(s)-at-Large must beActive members of the association asspecified in Article IV.

Nancy Roberts is the immediate past president and chair of the Nominationsand Awards, and Bylaws committees. Sheis director of financial aid at VirginiaIntermont College.

VASFAA VOICE 14