Director's Symposium 2026



 

Directors Symposium

Navigate What Matters Most. Lead with Confidence.

 

As financial aid leaders, we are navigating increasingly complex and evolving federal guidance—often without clear direction.
 

The FASFAA Directors Symposium is designed exclusively for financial aid directors and senior leaders responsible for institutional compliance, risk management, and strategic decision-making. This pre-conference experience provides a focused environment to step back from daily operations and engage with the issues that matter most.
 

As part of the 2026 Annual Conference, themed “All Hands on Deck: Welcome Aboard,” this symposium serves as a leadership checkpoint—equipping you to guide your institution through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.
 

Who Should Attend

 

Why Attend

 

Symposium Details

Date: Tuesday, May 26, 2026
Time: 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM
Location: Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort, Daytona Beach, FL
Format: Pre-Conference Session
Registration Fee: $50

Registration Includes:

Hotel & Accommodations:
Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort
Hotel reservations must be made by Friday May 2nd, 2026 to receive the group rate (NO EXCEPTIONS)

Room Rate: $179.00 per night
(plus 12.5% tax and $20 resort fee)
Parking: Waived ($0) for guest staying on property (normally $18)
Valet Parking: $33 per day
Daily Event Parking: $5 per day
 

Agenda [View Printable Agenda]

7:30 AM – 8:00 AM
Registration & Continental Breakfast

8:00 AM – 8:30 AM
Opening & Welcome

8:30 AM – 9:45 AM
Federal Financial Aid in Flux: What Directors Must Know Now
Federal financial aid oversight continues to evolve—often with guidance that lacks clarity or consistency. This session helps directors separate true compliance risk from background noise. Participants will review key federal changes, examine Department of Education guidance, and assess implications for institutional liability. The focus will be on identifying issues requiring immediate action, those that warrant monitoring, and how to escalate risk appropriately.

Presenter: Katie Conrad

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Compliance Under Pressure: Financial Aid, Institutional Risk, and Accountability
When guidance is incomplete or conflicting, financial aid offices must still stay the course. This session explores strategies for managing compliance and institutional risk during periods of regulatory transition. Topics include professional judgment, documentation and decision-making, audit and program review readiness, and cross-campus alignment with legal, finance, and enrollment partners.

Presenter: Nadine Bailey

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Communicating Up: Translating Financial Aid for Senior Leadership
Senior leaders need clear, concise insight—not operational detail. This session focuses on translating complex financial aid issues into executive-level communication. Participants will learn how to frame compliance concerns in institutional risk language, connect federal changes to enrollment and revenue, and deliver leadership-ready briefings.

Presenters: Joan Bailey & Dr. Karemah Mansell


Set Your Course for Leadership

This is more than a session—it’s a strategic checkpoint for financial aid leaders.

Come prepared to strengthen your institutional positioning, refine your leadership communication, and navigate uncertainty with confidence.


Register Now

Secure your spot and position yourself to lead with clarity in a time of change.

Register for the Directors Symposium


Part of the 2026 FASFAA Annual Conference

The Directors Symposium is part of the 2026 FASFAA Annual Conference, held May 26–29, 2026, at the Daytona Grande Oceanfront Resort in Daytona Beach, Florida.


Enhance your conference experience by participating in this exclusive leadership-focused session before the full conference begins.