New Hampshire Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Annual Business Meeting Minutes
St. Anselm College, Manchester NH
Friday, April 20, 2012
Meeting called to order by President, Crystal Finefrock 11:30am.
Crystal invited Ken Ferreira, NHASFAA Past-President, to the podium to talk about today’s election
of officers.
Ken thanked those who nominated, and those that ran for office. Voting will close at 12:30pm.
Crystal called for a recess for lunch and time to visit with our vendor exhibitors.
Meeting was called back to order at 12:21pm
President’s Report
Wow, this year has gone by fast!
Have any of you ever heard of the “NHASFAA boxes”? I had been hearing about these boxes
ever since I became active with NHASFAA. I’ve heard they’ve been stored in garages, barns,
basements, houses…. I had always wondered what great stuff was in the boxes. So….one day, I
left work early to meet a man, at the park and ride in Tilton to pick up several boxes. I felt like I
was an agent on a special mission. Once all of the boxes were collected, Suzy Allen, Elizabeth
Keuffel and I met to “check out what was in these boxes” and consolidate the information. In
the end, we had 3 boxes of financial data remaining that needs to be kept and one box of
“historical interest” information that will be scanned and stored on our website sometime over
the next twelve months. No more NASFAA boxes….
Networking Opportunities. NHASFAA is working on creating more networking opportunities for
NHASFAA members. Last year some of us went to a Fisher Cats Baseball game in Manchester
and it was a great evening! In addition to future events such as this, this year we are extending
the conference to a second day to provide additional networking time that has been missing
from the one day format the past few years. The great thing is that the cost will remain the
same as last year’s one day conference!!
Change. During my 12 years in financial aid I have come to learn that the words “change” and
“financial aid” are synonymous. And, one of the biggest changes I think we have seen since our
last annual meeting is the elimination of NH Post-Secondary Education Commission and the loss
of the NH State Grant Program. NHASFAA worked with the NH Post-Secondary Education
Commission in support of maintaining the state grant program by writing letters and attending
hearings and sessions at the state house in Concord. It was a new and interesting experience,
but in the end….NH’s neediest students lost several million dollars in grants on an annual basis.
On the federal level we have a reduction in PELL EFC for 12-13, elimination of subsidized loans
for graduate students and the IRS Tax Transcript just to name a few.
What all of these changes remind me of is how much we need NHASFAA and how much we
need each other. Our financial aid colleagues are lifelines for some of us. We trust each other,
we count on each other and we need each other. Well, NHASFAA is the vehicle that brings us
all together. Which is why I strongly encourage those of you who are not currently involved to
“jump in” with both feet? It was the best decision I made years ago, and I promise you will be
welcomed with open arms. How do you become involved? Contact me.
This is a perfect time for me to thank everyone who volunteered their time to NHAFSAA this
past year. Your hard work and dedication is what continues to make this a great organization.
And, it’s no secret that the greatest work of NHASFAA takes place at the committee level, and
they have been busy this past year. I will share committee reports with you shortly.
Council Representatives. In addition to the officers and committee chairs, the council also
consists of representatives from different areas and organizations. The representatives include
Maureen Fagen representing Lenders, Hillary DeAngelis New Hampshire Charitable Foundation,
Mike Levasseur representing NHHEAF and Guarantors, Tori Berube NHHEAF Center for College
Planning and Carolyn Julian, Educational Talent Search. The information and input we receive
from these colleagues is very valuable and want to thank you all for being active and
contributing NHASFAA members.
Thank you to our associate members who continue to support us both financially by taking
opportunities to present and exhibit at events. I also want to thank them and recognize their
active participation in the association as committee members and chairs.
Secretary’s Report
Copies of the 2011 Annual Meeting Minutes were on the table as well as sent to the membership
electronically. Therefore, Anna Clifford asked for a motion to waive the reading of the 2011
meeting minutes. Susan Howard so moved and Jason Graves seconded the motion. Motion passed.
Anna then asked for a motion to pass the 2011 meeting minutes as written. Elizabeth Keuffel so
moved and June Schlabach seconded the motion. Minutes were passed as written.
Treasurer Report-
Elizabeth Keuffel, St. Anselm College
Comparison from 2011 to 2012
Checking Balance:
CD Balance:
Elite Savings Balance:
Balance
Balance
4/8/2011
4/17/2012
$29,349.02
37,359.46
$6,921.92
6,946.80
$25,118.09
25,219.21
Net Balance:
Account
INCOME
5000
$61,389.03
Line Item
2011-12 Actual
2011-12 Variance
$5,425.00
$5,530.00
+$105.00
$6,800.00
$6,880.00
+$80.00
$140.00
$10.00
$69.11
$18.20
-$70.89
+$8.20
$0.00
$0.00
$7,000.00
$0.00
$0.00
$8,050.00
$0.00
$0.00
+$1,050.00
Total
Income
$19,375.00
$20,547.31
+$1,172.31
Total
Expenses
$19,375.00
$11,133.82
$8,241.18
$4,991.18 (after
encumbrances)
5100
5410
5450
5460
5470
5480
Membership Dues
Conference
Registration
Bank Account
Interest
Other (CD Interest)
Transfer from
Reserve
Prior Year Carryover
Development Target
2011-12 Budget
$69,525.47
Expected
Encumbrances
$3,250.00
Expected
Carry Forward
$6,163.49
Currently we have just over three times our operating expenses in reserve, thanks in large part
to Leslie Bembridge and the lending community for supporting us. Leslie Bembridge as the
Chair of the Development Committee has done an exceptional job for the organization in a
difficult business climate.
Our conference has been our number one professional development opportunity. Next year’s
conference will expand to two days at the same price. We can do that in large part because
we’ve been fiscally conservative in our spending and due to the lending community’s
willingness to support us and we will have money to carry forward.
We have the resources to invest in the financial aid community because we’ve focused on
technology and prioritized our investments. The Website Committee has been working hard to
upgrade the website. We have invested in a multi-cultural calendar to add to it. We donated to
our NHASFAA Charity; Marguerite’s Place and will support EASFAA’s charity as well. We
invested in one member to attend the NASFAA Leadership and Legislative Conference this
spring.
In the future we will continue to review our revenues and set our strategic goals for this
organization. With the exception of next year’s conference where we do not expect revenues to
cover expenses, we can use the carry forward to offset the additional anticipated conference
expenses. We will have to continue to make choices in the future in order to thrive. Some of
the elements and niceties that we have grown to expect such as providing lunch at trainings
may or may not be feasible. However, we have a strong financial footing and have resources to
sustain us in our mission and I do not see any significant concerns for the immediate future. I
anticipate that we will securely close the fiscal year in the black.
Elizabeth shared that two people became members today!
Jason Graves moved to pass the 2011-2012 budget. Sheri Gonthier seconded the motion.
Budget passed.
Crystal then gave a summary of all committee reports for 2011-2012. Reports were submitted
by all chairpersons and representatives.
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE – Co-Chairs Susan Proulx (Community College System of NH) and
June Schlabach (PSU)
Committee Members: Heather Ward (Citibank/Discover), Mac Broderick (St. Anslem’s College),
Courtney Vachon (Keene State College), Mary Young (SNHU)
New Members: Jeff Bentley (ASA), Christine Hoch (PSU), Sheri Gonthier (NHTI)
86 NHASFAA members and 13 other guests attended the 5th annual conference on Thursday
October 28th, 2011. The theme was “Moving Mountains – Keeping Your Footing in Rocky
Terrain.” Once again the conference was held at Southeastern Regional Education Service
Center (SERESC).
The 2011 Community Service organization was Marguerite’s Place, a transitional housing
program for women and children in crisis, located in Nashua New Hampshire. NHASFAA
members generously gave cash donations as well as items from Marguerite’s Place wish list.
Evaluations were positive, with helpful suggestions provided by responders. The NHASFAA
Council has reconsidered the one day format from the past two years, and will be trying a two
day format this coming October 25/26 at SERESC in Bedford.
DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE – Chair Leslie Bembridge (Citizens Bank)
Twelve companies participated as NHASFAA Exhibitors throughout the 11-12 year, in
comparison to the 10-11 year where we have had 10 companies. Thank you to all of our 11-12
exhibitors for their support; Sallie Mae, NHHEAF, Citizens Bank, ASA, Wells Fargo, Great
Lakes, NelNet, MEFA, SunTrust, Discover, HEAG and 1st Marblehead.
Total Revenue for the 11-12 academic year is $8250.00
Conference/Training Exhibiting Feedback:
Nine vendors attended the NHASFAA Conference, the venue was excellent, and traffic was
steady. The suggestion of allowing vendors to introduce themselves at some point during the
conference has been extended to the committee for the 2012 conference. Exhibitors in
attendance were SLMA, NHHEAF, Citizens Bank, ASA, Wells Fargo, Sun Trust, Great Lakes, 1st
Marblehead and Discover.
Directors Summit:
Five companies presented at the summit this year, suggestions were made to the presenters
beforehand that they present on topical and pertinent subjects for the Financial Aid Community
that would assist them in their day to day jobs. Suggestion for next year is that we also collect
feedback/surveys from the attendees.
Annual Meeting:
We have four companies presenting and exhibiting to the attendees, along with an additional
four exhibiting.
Summary:
This is the third year in a row we offered presentations at the Directors Summit; this was a
fabulous opportunity for companies to discuss their products and services, and meet new faces.
We were able to hold our conference exhibiting fee to $500 again this year, which is a
reasonable price and keeps us below cost to that of our sister states Maine and Massachusetts.
For the third year in a row we have had a positive exhibiting turnout for our Annual Meeting,
and continued with the opportunity for companies to present.
GOVERNMENT RELATIONS – Chair Susan Howard (Antioch University New England)
Committee Members: Sue Ahern (UNH School of Law), Anna Clifford (SNHU), Kathy
Courtemanche (St. Anselm College), Cindy Schofield (Community College System of NH)
The primary activity of the Government Relations committee this year was to gather
information on what is happening at our schools this year in light of the lack of state grants and
reduction in funding to public institutions. We developed a survey and went out several times
to the membership for information. Below is a brief summary of responses from 18 members:



When asked about whether enrollment goals were met or not in fall 2011, 11 met or
exceeded goals, and 4 did not.
When asked about specific measures taken, 5 responded that they had a hiring freeze, 4
had lay-offs and 9 reported budget cuts. 1 school reported salary reductions.
In response to the question “Are students and parents expressing frustration with the
current state and/or federal funding crisis?” 6 responded yes. 5 reported various
solutions, with 3 of those reporting increased institutional aid to offset the losses.


When asked if their students were expressing anxiety about future employment
opportunities, the majority of respondents said their students were worried about
finding work in their fields, the economy in general, and paying back their student loans.
Suggestions for the Government Relations committee included:
- Work toward less paperwork and regulations and simplified reporting
- Focus efforts in NH with the goal of restoring at least some of the lost state aid.
Additionally, in looking for data on financial aid in NH the committee determined it was not
easy to find or trust. As a result an Ad Hoc committee was created by the NHASFAA Council to
find and evaluate what is out there and put together information for our website that would
give an accurate picture of what is happening in NH. Members of the group are: Hilary
deAngelis (New Hampshire Charitable Foundation), Mike Levassuer (NHHEAF), Cindy Schofield
(Community College System of NH), Tori Berube (Center for College Planning).
LEADERSHIP – Chair Suzy Allen (UNH)
The Leadership Development committee was formed as an ad hoc committee in 2008 by Ken
Ferreira. New Hampshire is facing the same challenges as our Regional and National
Associations in terms of the difficulty finding people who are willing to become involved and/or
assume positions of leadership. Therefore, the charge of this committee was to generate
involvement in NHASFAA with an eye on emerging leaders.
In February of 2012, we held the fourth “Directors’ Summit”. “Second in command” staff were
invited to attend for the first time and this boosted the attendance to a total of 29. Based on
the positive feedback received in the past two years, we again had presentations from our
partners. This year we heard from Citizens Bank, HEAG, ASA and Sallie Mae. A survey was sent
to the participants and we heard overwhelmingly that the event was a success!! As always,
much “food for thought” came out of the meeting and I hope some of the ideas will be on the
Council agenda for the coming year.
The Newsletter’s “Faces of NHASFAA” segment was continued again this year. Showcasing a
member in every issue provides an opportunity to learn more about our colleagues in the state
and what they are doing to be involved. Our inaugural “faces” were Lizy Gonzalez (Nashua CC),
Mac Broderick (St. Anselm), Courtney Vachon (Granite State), and Kathy Philibotte (Rivier). This
year opened with Jason Graves (UNH). Stay tuned for the new “Face” in our upcoming
Newsletter.
Crystal stated, while she feels we are making some progress, there is still much work to do in
this area. Remember, our Association is only as strong as its volunteers!
SPEAKERS BUREAU – Chair Sharon Eaton (UMH Manchester)
123 letters went out to private, public, and Christian schools.
CCP and members of the Speakers Bureau presented at a majority of schools in NH, maintaining
an impact consistent with last year. In addition to Financial Aid Nights, some of our volunteers
also helped facilitate FAFSA completion workshops for families at the high schools.
New initiatives proposed for the next year will include expanding our outreach efforts by
collaborating with the staff at the Center for College Planning to have a Speakers Bureau
volunteer available at presentations hosted by CCP, when possible, to provide families with
direct access to college representatives.
Future Goals*Utilize the new Speakers Bureau website to improve communication with local high
schools, improve tracking of events and volunteers, and allow for timely and consistent
follow up for evaluations and feedback.
*Utilize speaker evaluations to gather constructive feedback on how we could improve
our efforts.
*Partner with local city and town libraries in the state to host additional Financial Aid
Nights open to the local community
*Enlist the participation of additional speaker
2010-2011 and 2011-2012
Comparison Report
As of 04/20/2012
# of High Schools
Speakers Bureau
CCP
Other
Did not use either
2010-2011
120
23
72
0
34
Speakers Bureau %
CCP %
NEITHER
19%
59%
22%
2011-2012
120
18
71
0
31
15%
59%
26%
MEMBERSHIP COMMITTEE – Chair Suzy Allen (UNH)
The goal of membership this year was 155 members. I’m pleased to announce that number
was surpassed!! Current membership is 159 members, which includes 19 new members and
140 renewals. The membership totals for prior years are 156 for 1011 and 162 for 09-10.
MULTICULTURAL/DIVERSITY COMMITTEE – Chair Lizbeth Gonzales (Nashua Community
College)
This committee has purchased a diversity calendar to add to our website that includes
comprehensive entries of national holidays, religious events, key birthdays and cultural
observances for every religion, virtually every culture representing more than 110 nations. The
calendar also includes engaging video’s, audio samples for correct pronunciation, recipes and
colorful, world-class artwork. This will give association members easy, instant access to every
need-to-know diversity event.
NEWSLETTER – Chair Robin Gagnon (SNHU)
Robin took over responsibility for the NHASFAA Newsletter last fall from Tori Berube and her
first newsletter was winter 2012. The spring 2012 Newsletter was released this week. She
would like to thank people for the great content they have submitted and she looks forward to
more great content for both the summer and fall issues. The deadline for the summer issue will
be the first full week of July and the deadline for the fall issue will be the first full week in
October.
TRAINING – Chair Jeff Bentley (ASA)
The training committee, although quiet for the last year, is alive and well! Committee members
include: Karen Joyce (PSU), Robin Gagnon (SNHU), Suzanne Falkner (SNHU) and Maureen
Fagen (Sallie Mae). The next NHASFAA training will take place on Friday, May 4th from 10:00 to
3:00pm in Concord. The morning topic will be military benefits and the afternoon will be
verification and federal methodology. Both sections will include a panel and time for discussion
and questions. There are currently 25 people registered for this training. At the end of the day,
attendees will be surveyed for future training session ideas. The training committee looks
forward to getting back on track to provide 3-4 training sessions per year to the association.
WEBSITE – Chair Sheri Gonthier (NHTI)
Website committee members include Jason Graves (UNH), Meagan Clark (Rivier) and Maureen
Fagen (Sallie Mae). The website committee has been working with our website service
provider ATAC to give our website a more up to date look. They have also been working on
updating website content and reviewing the types of information that should be included on
the website and what information should be password protected. Stay tune for the unveiling of
the newly designed NHASFAA website. The new design will include Notes & News, training
information and up to date conference site and other exciting happens with in NHASFAA.
Our afternoon presentation was a panel from the NH Department of Education. We were
pleased to have with us- Lynda Thistle-Elliott, Director of Homeless Education for NH DOE
- Jocelyne Pinsonneault, Manchester School District Homeless Liaison
and Parent Involvement Coordinator
- Ms. Marty Brennan Title 1 Director, Homeless Liaison Rochester NH
Schools
- Dana Leeper and Nick McIntyre both Americorp Vista Homeless
Education Project Associations with the NH Department of Education
- Linda Newell, NHHEAF
- College student named “Chris”
They shared with us a showing of “Homeless to Harvard” from ABC’s 20/20. After which they
raffled 4 books of the same title. Anna Clifford and Jennifer Hashem (SNHU), along with
Sharon Eaton (UNH) and Debora McCann (Talent Search) were the lucky winners.
President Finefrock then began the presentation of awards. Crystal is going to continue with the
Star Award, as started with President Ferreira. This year the recipient of the Star Awards were:
-Suzy Allen-For her support to Crystal in her role as president, and for her ongoing role as both
leadership and membership chairperson, and for assisting with organizing the state meeting.
-Elizabeth Keuffel-For her outstanding job as our treasurer.
-Leslie Bembridge-For another great year as our development chairperson.
-Susan Proulx and June Schlabach-As our new conference chairperson(s). They did a great job this
year.
Crystal then concluded the meeting with remaining awards. This year she was honored to present
the following awards.
*Lisa Jo Moher Committee of the Year Award-
The Lisa Jo Moher Committee of the year award was created to honor and celebrate the life of
our colleague who passed away suddenly in 2009. Lisa Jo worked in the financial aid office at
SNHU for many years and was the director of financial aid at Granite State College. Lisa Jo was
active in the association, passionate about helping students and dedicated to her family and
career. Simply put….Lisa Jo had a great zest for life and left a lasting impression on the lives she
touched.
This award honors a NHASFAA Committee that has exemplified the same level of
passion and dedication to NHASFAA. This year the award is being presented to
someone who is a committee of one, always has a can do attitude, is able to exceed
goals that originally seem rather challenging, is always willing to help with anything
needed….and does it all with a smile. It’s an honor to present this year’s award to Leslie
Bembridge, Development Committee
*James Reynolds AwardThe James M. Reynolds Award is given in recognition of outstanding contributions to NHASFAA. The
award was first awarded in 1995 in memory of Jim who had passed away earlier in the year. There are
likely only a few in the room who even knew Jim but those who were lucky enough to know him won’t
forget him. He was NHASFAA’s first President and known to many throughout the state as the
grandfather of financial aid. It’s always fitting to give this award when we are here as Jim graduated
from and then was employed by St. A’s. Today it’s my honor to present Carolyn Julian from Educational
Talent Search with the James Reynolds Award. ………..Carolyn was asked to join Crystal.
Carolyn Julian started working for Educational Talent Search as a federal work-study student while
completing her Master’s degree in Counseling at UNH, and she never left. During her 38 years with ETS,
she held the positions of Assistant Director, Associate Director and Director.
Marsha Johns, retired ETS Director, remembers a time when there were three paper financial aid
applications students needed to complete. Carolyn knew each of these forms inside and out! She
assisted students and their parents in completing the forms on time, even if it meant she was reviewing
them at home at night or back in the office on the weekends, or making and taking calls at all hours of
the day and night!
Suzy Allen, Financial Aid Director at UNH shares that “It has been strange this processing cycle not to
have an early morning email from Carolyn seeking information about one of her students. I’ve been
getting those emails for well over 20 years and I will miss them. Each one had a series of SEVERAL
questions…but each and everyone was clear and to the point. More importantly I knew exactly why she
was asking so many well-thought out questions…it was so she could cover every possible base in support
of whatever student she was working with. She made it her business to understand our business. We
may not have always agreed but we always saw and respected each others’ point of view. “
The NHHEAF Center for College Planning has been worked with ETS for almost 20 years. And, according
to Vice President, Tara Payne, “Carolyn has always been focused on what is best for students and was
always open to creating opportunities for collaboration. She supported our Gear-up applications,
helped guide our outreach efforts with the lowest income, first generation college students and offered
her sound advice, even when it was difficult to hear. A true friend challenges you to be better. Carolyn
did that for us. Beyond her direct contact with students, it is her leadership of the ETS team of
professionals that also helped countless numbers of students find a path to higher education.”
Carolyn was also active outside of ETS. She took part in the discussions and planning that established
the New Hampshire Educational Opportunity Programs as an association (NHEOA). During a time when
the organization was struggling, Carolyn volunteered to become the President and worked with others
to help the organization get back on track. She served as President from 1992-1995. She has also
served as the New England Educational Opportunity Programs treasurer, finance chair, state liaison
multiple times. And, I think the consensus is that she has been a NHASFAA member “forever”.
Today, we celebrate and honor Carolyn’s leadership, passion, dedication and years of service to New
Hampshire students, the Financial Aid Industry and NHASFAA. Thank you Carolyn!
2012 Maureen Begley Annual NHASFAA Conference Scholarship
Maureen Begley died in November 2009 just one week after having attended her last FA
conference (MASFAA). She had missed the NHASFAA conference that year because she had a
cold.
Maureen attended an EASFAA conference less than 2 weeks after she first arrived on the East
Coast. The next conference that she attended was NHHEAF/NHASFAA where Tori Berube made
sure she had her own name badge which thrilled Maureen. She made so many friends and was
so welcomed that FA conferences became her greatest pleasure! She always looked forward to
the next time that she would see all her friends. She was so excited when she had her own
name badge and Sue Howard facilitated name badges for her at several EASFAA conferences.
Her family felt that donating conference registrations to EASFAA, MASFAA and NHASFAA would
be the very best thing to do in Maureen's memory. It is their hope that the NHASFAA
conference scholarship in Maureen's name will welcome new members to NHASFAA in the
same way that NHASFAA so warmly welcomed Maureen.
We thank the Begley family for honoring Maureen’s memory by providing a scholarship to the
NHASFAA conference for a new conference attendee or someone relatively new in the field.
At this time, I would like to announce that this years scholarship is being awarded to Mary
Martin, Financial Aid Assistant from Rivier College. Mary came to Rivier College from the
Nashua Technical College.
A quick word about Mary: “She was highly recommended to our office with excellent customer
service skills and the ease and efficiency with which she handles her tasks. Mary has far
exceeded expectations; students love her and she is a quick learner! Mary will greatly benefit
from attending the conference and will welcome the opportunity to meet others in the field.”
Ken Ferreira then announced the results of the election. He was pleased to announce the following*President-Elizabeth Keuffel, St. A’s
*Secretary-Anna Clifford, second term, SNHU
*Treasurer-Jason Graves, UNH
Congratulations to all!
Ken Ferreira then asked for a motion to destroy the ballot.
Jason Graves so moved and Tori Berube seconded the motion. So moved and the ballet was
destroyed.
Suzy then presented a gift from the council to Crystal. Thank you Crystal for a great term as
president.
Crystal then passed the gavel to Elizabeth.
Motion by June Schlabach to adjourn meeting at 2:30; seconded by Elizabeth Keuffel. Passed
unanimously.
Respectfully submitted,
Anna Clifford
NHASFAA Secretary