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IMPORTANT: The Certified FAFSA Specialist Training and badging opportunity is closed, but MCAN feels strongly about sharing this valuable content with all practitioners who can benefit from it!

Significant changes to the financial aid process, including the new FAFSA and the introduction of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, highlight the urgency and opportunity for high-quality training. MCAN and uAspire are partnering to offer best-in-class training, support, and tools to better position practitioners to meet the unique needs of all Michigan students.

All training sessions are complete and recordings are available on this page. Recordings are eligible to earn SCECHs, but not a certificate of completion and badge.


Session Recordings and Timeline

The following Certified FAFSA Specialist Training session recordings are available:

  • Session 1: Introduction to Financial Aid
  • Session 2: FAFSA Completion (two-part series)
  • Session 3: FAFSA Follow-up 
  • Session 4: Financial Aid Offer Review
  • Session 5: Financial Aid Renewal for College Success

If you have questions about FAFSA training opportunities, please contact Kiersten Nolan, strategy assistant for high school innovation.
 

Earning State Continuing Education Clock Hours

Each training session recording will be eligible to earn 1.5 SCECHs in college preparation and selection, with a total of up to 9 SCECHs available. For each recording, participants must earn an 8/10 on the accompanying quiz to demonstrate content mastery. 

SCECH Expiration Date
Individual Webinar Session
Session 1: Introduction to Financial Aid
| Recorded
Presenters: MCAN and UAspire
This training provides a robust overview of the vocabulary, concepts, processes, and timelines associated with applying for and securing financial aid for college. Participants will understand how financial aid can be accessed, as well how to facilitate meaningful and student centered college planning conversations with their students that appreciate the nuances and challenges of paying for college.
Eligible SCECH: 1.5 credit(s) in College Preparation and Selection
Recording
SCECH Quiz
Session 2: FAFSA Completion
| Recorded
Presenters: MCAN and UAspire
This two-part training workshop is a deep dive into the FAFSA in which participants will learn how to complete each section of the form, identify and manage the many potential pitfalls for students, and practice with a variety of complex student case studies to ensure the content is applicable in their work with students.
Eligible SCECH: 1.5 credit(s) in College Preparation and Selection
Recording - Part A
Recording - Part B
SCECH Quiz - Part A
SCECH Quiz - Part B
Session 3: FAFSA Follow Up and Verification
| Recorded
Presenters: MCAN and UAspire
This workshop will identify and address common challenges and best practices of FAFSA follow-up, including the importance of reviewing the FAFSA Submission Summary (previously called the Student Aid Report). Additionally, the training will include an overview and guidance on federal verification requirements and strategies for helping students navigate the verification process, given the changes to the FAFSA and the launch of Direct Data Exchange.
Eligible SCECH: 1.5 credit(s) in College Preparation and Selection
Recording
SCECH Quiz
Session 4: Financial Aid Offer Review
| Recorded
Presenters: MCAN and UAspire
This training workshop highlights the power of analyzing financial aid offers and gives participants the tools, knowledge, and language to support students during this critical step in the financial aid process. The session reviews key financial aid offer terminology, sample offer letters, and common formatting practices. The facilitator introduces the uAspire College Cost Calculator and walks through a case study to demonstrate the tool and practices reviewed, in order to support a student and their family in interpreting a financial aid offer.
Eligible SCECH: 1.5 credit(s) in College Preparation and Selection
Recording
SCECH Quiz
Session 5: Financial Aid Renewal for College Success
| Recorded
Presenters: MCAN and uAspire
This training will focus on best practices for supporting postsecondary students in securing financial aid funding for subsequent years of college. Key topics include the FAFSA renewal process, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and its relation to financial aid eligibility, and helping students plan for loan repayment.
Eligible SCECH: 1.5 credit(s) in College Preparation and Selection
Recording
SCECH Quiz

Significant changes to the financial aid process, including the new FAFSA and the introduction of the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, highlight the urgency and opportunity for high-quality training. MCAN and uAspire are partnering to offer best-in-class training, support, and tools to better position practitioners to meet the unique needs of all Michigan students. The following Certified FAFSA Specialist Training session recordings are available:

Session 1: Introduction to Financial Aid: Mid-September.
Session 2: FAFSA Completion (two-part series): Late December and early January.
Session 3: FAFSA Follow-up: Late January.
Session 4: Financial Aid Offer Review: Mid March
Session 5: Financial Aid Renewal for College Success: Late March.

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