Submitted by:  Dawn Mosisa and Ginny Zawodny, Co-Chairs

Hello Everyone and Happy Summer. As your Federal Relations Committee (FRC), one of our goals is to ensure that you have the tools to become an active part of shaping our Title IV laws and regulations. It is imperative that we front-line workers in the financial aid industry provide insight to our representatives and the Department of Education staff who really do want to hear from us.

Our mission as your FRC is to make that sharing of information comfortable for you, and to help you present that information in the most effective manner. We can all agree that our worth is immeasurable in this industry. We administer the funds that provide the access for our students to earn their degrees, and it’s these funds that the laws and regulations are all about. We’re the ones who understand the practical application of the law, and for this reason our knowledge must be shared.

As we begin a new year, your Federal Relations Committee asks that you keep your email free-flowing. There are bills being discussed on the Hill and we expect another round of Negotiated Rulemaking this fall. We are looking forward to networking events, such as a “meet and greet” with Congress. This will be the perfect opportunity for you to get involved in a positive fashion, especially since President Obama’s Higher Education platform has been placed on high priority. The Federal Relations Committee is committed to keeping you up-to-date and informed about any and all changes that are being discussed. Keep in mind, as we do this, we will need your help as well.

Please let us know if there’s any area that you would like us to focus on. We welcome your feedback. And if anyone is interested in joining the Federal Relations Committee, please let us know! We welcome your assistance!