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Welcome to the third edition of the
newsletter for 2002-2003.
We hope you enjoy the content of this third issue and
again welcome your suggestions for future issues.
Send any comments, suggestions or submissions for
publishing to me at: gary.a.spoales@bankofamerica.com
or call me at 301-879-8008 with questions.
As we neared our deadline dates, life happened
and delays occurred that could not be helped. We do, however,
apologize to our readers and to our contributors whose
information may seem to be reaching you late (conference info
as an example). You can be assured that scheduling for next
year's Spring issue will be reviewed so as not to fall during
the week final awards are being prepared for new students (if
that's possible).
This issue is packed with information.
You may want to print it and take it home for leisurely
reading. The list
of contributors at the end of this issue is phenomenal and I
appreciate everyone’s input and hard work.
A special thanks to my committee for their
work, support and dedication during a stressful period for all
concerned.
We begin with a reminder that our troops
will need your support upon their return to the USA and to
campuses nationwide. It is of paramount importance that we all make an extra
effort to make their transition as easy as we possibly can. This is true of schools, lenders, servicers and
related organizations who affect their transition. In this vein, the next VASFAA challenge is hereby issued.
We want to hear from you.
The final (Summer Issue) will focus on how we can best
ease the transition of students who served in the military.
Consider these questions and submit helpful ideas for
publication to share with your colleagues across the state.
What is your financial aid office doing
differently to prepare for the return of our veterans to your
campus financial aid process?
How might your awarding process be affected
to accommodate late applications by returning veterans?
What has your institution done or planned
to assist you and other offices in meeting the needs of these
students?
How can we share these ideas effectively to
coordinate guidance across the VASFAA membership and their
institutions?
There has been guidance from the feds and
perhaps the state, which has required your reading and
implementation. Help
your colleagues by describing how you approached this task in
a way that might help them in their efforts.
(P.S.
Buddy, I smell a grant opportunity here. Do you think anyone will act on it?)
Take
up the challenge and we’ll report the results that you share
in my last issue of the newsletter.
Our
spotlight this issue is on Tom Nardi of JMU who is retiring
after 30 years service. Tom
is one of those unsung superstars who quietly excel at serving
students and getting the work done on time.
In addition, we are featuring the nominees for VASFAA
offices. Please
exercise your right to vote.
Visit the VASFAA website for details.
On
other fronts, knee-deep snow has given way to fresh mown
lawns. Pretty
soon we’ll complain about the heat or relish
our recent visit to the beach
for VASFAA and the mountains for NASFAA.
What great locations for getting together with
colleagues, networking and sharing ideas in a fun, yet
professional setting. Hope
you’ll join us! VASFAA
details are included in the newsletter and on the web.
Our VASFAA Challenge was met by 18 participants
and we gave a $25.00 prize to Linda Miller of JMU in a prize
check at the VASFAA conference. Speaking of which, the
software survey continues and you can expect a call from one
of our newsletter committee soon if you didn't respond. The
interim results are listed immediately following this
editorial.
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