Submitted by:  Melissa Rakes, NAV Editor

Another semester has come and gone. As we embark on the new calendar year, we can take a look back at the first half of 2006-2006. It was filled with new acronyms, HERA, ACG, SMART, and GradPLUS. In the world of financial aid, we’ve been busy implementing new programs, getting ready for 2007-2008, and what changes the recent elections might bring.

Obviously, change and financial aid go hand-in-hand. One of the many advantages of TriState is that it provides its members with tools to deal with change. Training opportunities help financial aid administrators to understand policies and programs so that we can serve student. Networking events help members to meet fellow professionals across Delaware, D.C., and Maryland. There have been many great TriState activities throughout the beginning of the 2006-2007 year. Thank you to all of those members who helped to make these events a success and to everyone who participated in them. Inside this issue, you can read about some of these events and learn about upcoming activities.

One of the biggest events of the winter is College Goal Sunday. Please consider lending your knowledge and expertise by volunteering at one of the many sites across the TriState region.

The deadline for the Spring issue is April 15. The Newsletter Committee welcomes all contributions. The members of the Newsletter Committee is also interested in any suggestions and feedback.