Certified FAFSA Specialist Training
Responding to the success of last year's training and the continued demand we've seen for high quality FAFSA professional development, MCAN is excited to once again offer Certified FAFSA Specialist training, presented in partnership with uAspire.
Being the go-to resource for students on financial aid can be an overwhelming, high-stakes task with momentous implications for each student's future. Significant changes to the process — including FAFSA updates, adjustments to the Michigan Achievement Scholarship, and the new Community College Guarantee — highlight the urgency and opportunity for high quality training. uAspire and MCAN are offering best-in-class training, support, and tools to better position practitioners to meet the unique needs of all Michigan students.
This badging opportunity is open to school counselors, college advisers, success coaches, and other college access and success professionals. There are limited spots available that will be filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The deadline to reserve your spot is September 20, but registration may close earlier if we reach capacity.
This registration is for those who have not previously earned a Certified FAFSA Specialist badge. If you earned a certification last year, please do not register. You will still have access to the recordings when they are made available on our website.
Logistics
To earn a badge and be recognized as a Certified FAFSA Specialist, registrants must participate in a series of six virtual training sessions and complete quizzes about financial aid and the FAFSA completion process.
What does it mean to earn a badge? Upon successful completion of all training components, participants will receive a certificate of completion, social media assets, and other elements of recognition, in addition to earning SCECHs. They will be regarded as a FAFSA specialist to support the training of others, when needed.
The six virtual training sessions are each 1.5 hours long. These sessions will only be offered once, but a recording and corresponding quiz will be made available to certificate pathway registrants through a Canvas course. All participants looking to earn the certification must complete the quizzes, even if they attend live. Each individual training session will be available for 1.5 SCECHs in college preparation and selection.
Topic and session information is as follows:
- Introduction to Financial Aid: Sept. 30, 2024
- FAFSA Completion: Dec. 2 (Part A) and Dec. 4, 2024 (Part B)
- FAFSA Updates and Q+A: Feb. 4, 2025
- FAFSA Follow Up: Jan. 23, 2025
- Financial Aid Offer Review: March 6, 2025
All meetings will be held 10:30 a.m.-noon ET.
There is an additional session on Financial Aid Renewal for College Success, offered March 13, 2025, for practitioners working with current college students. This session is not required to earn the certification. Virtual meeting information for each session will be provided to registrants via email and a Canvas course.
Follow the link below to complete the registration form. Participants will be selected on a first-come, first-served basis. The cost for this training is covered by MCAN, meaning it is offered at no cost to registrants. Registration deadline is Sept. 20.
Connect with a Certified FAFSA Specialist
Certified FAFSA Specialists who can be contacted by students and parents →
Counselors and educators: MCAN has a full list of Certified FAFSA Specialists to provide regional and/or multilingual support to people who work with students. Please contact Jeneen Hatoum, director of high school innovation, for more information.
2023-24 Recordings
Recordings of last year's training sessions are available for review, but the SCECH deadline has expired.