Dear MASFAA Members,

I write this note as classes begin for the new academic year. I have the honor of being the President of MASFAA for 2008-2009.

I have been a member of MASFAA since I started in financial aid over 30 years ago. It has helped me receive the training and professional skills necessary to advance in the profession. I am a huge advocate of furthering one’s education and skill set. I am also committed to programming that takes a broad professional view by helping us better understand our clients and our strategic role within our institutions.

To our new members just starting out, I say, take advantage of the opportunities MASFAA presents to you. MASFAA, on its part, thanks you because our new members will help us change with the times.

MASFAA’s conference theme is Building Bridges to the Future, and that is what we do for our students and parents. When we’re under the regulatory gun or coping with other daily challenges, we should take a breath and remember the service that we provide for so many of our families. Speaking of regulations, now that the Higher Education Act has passed, we are committed to having our voice heard in that area. We have long advocated for federal and state programs that help our students cross that bridge.

And, also, we can’t forget our crucial contribution to the enrollment goals of our colleges. Even at the most selective private colleges among us, over 50% of the student population enrolls with financial aid or, put another way, could not enroll without it.

Our excellent system of public higher education has combined low costs with financial aid to make education affordable across the board for families. The financial aid part of the equation is just as critical here, and some might say increasingly so, as it is elsewhere where costs are higher.

A large part of this year’s agenda at Executive council will concern both the organization of MASFAA and the profession of financial aid. It’s time for us to re-examine MASFAA’s strategic plan for the future. Part of our legacy will be a strong and relevant organization. It is also time to examine the status of our profession and how it is perceived by the public, the media, and our own colleagues on campus. Most importantly, let’s think about how to enhance our profession’s reputation and status within higher education.

Tony Erwin, Past MASFAA President, will continue his monumental contributions to MASFAA by chairing two committees, one dealing with MASFAA’s strategic plan and the other with the professional status of financial aid.

I wish you all a good, fruitful year in 2008-2009, and I hope that you will participate in MASFAA by attending the Conference, taking advantage of other training and professional development programs, and volunteering for a committee. You won’t be disappointed in the knowledge that you gain and the friends that you make.

Sincerely,

Kathryn Osmond
President of MASFAA
Executive Director of Student Financial Services, Wellesley College