Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Introduces the Higher Education Committee of 50

  • 01/22/18

WASHINGTON, DC – During the Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization process, proposals abound from various entities that have a stake in higher education. While there are many voices weighing in on reauthorization discussions, there is a particularly strong need for thoughtful, innovative ideas for the future of postsecondary education that come from all levels of an institution. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is pleased to announce the formation of 50 members from all different institutional areas to serve on the newly formed Higher Education Committee of 50—or Forward50.

This national committee—comprised of college presidents, members of governing boards, enrollment managers, admissions staff, financial aid and bursar leaders, students, and other forward-thinking leaders from all sectors of postsecondary institutions—will spend the next year examining policy areas related to access, affordability, accountability, and transparency. The Forward50 will produce four white papers that will include practical recommendations for members of Congress, and will be available to the broader policy community for review and comment in fall 2018.

“What all of these members have in common is the ability to think about how student aid can meet the needs of today’s and tomorrow’s students,” says NASFAA President Justin Draeger. “Change is never easy, but this forwarding-thinking group is up to the task. We look forward to seeing the creative, transformative solutions they produce, all with an eye toward student equity, success, accountability, and transparency.”

Members of the Forward50 bring with them a diverse set of experiences, expertise, and perspectives. Together they hold memberships in more than 140 other higher education-related professional associations, with many serving in current or past leadership roles. Head to the website to learn more about the Forward50 and read about what motivated the 50 committee members to apply to take part in this initiative.

Background
In November 2017, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) Forward50 Press Announcement received a grant to convene a group of forward-thinking campus leaders tasked with developing policy solutions that will help surmount obstacles preventing students from enrolling, paying for, and graduating from college. The duration of the grant is 18 months, but the work and recommendations of the Forward50 are intended to last far beyond the time the committee is at work. NASFAA will continue to elevate the principles and positions put forward by the Forward50 through press releases, events, conference presentations, and educational materials.

Featured

  • Can AI Help Build Stronger Communities in Student Housing?

    Student housing success is shifting from operational performance to student experience, with belonging now at the center. A recent 2025 report underscores a growing emphasis on student well-being, community, and engagement, signaling that expectations now extend beyond logistics to ensure students feel supported in their living environments. AI is enabling that shift by reducing administrative workload and giving teams more time to focus on meaningful student engagement.

  • Higher Ed is Betting on New Buildings While Quietly Undermining Their Campuses — Here’s Why

    In this climate, the owner’s representative has changed from a delivery-focused advisor to a strategic campus partner. Institutions are increasingly relying on owner’s reps not just to manage, cope, schedule, and budget, but also help evaluate whether a project should proceed at all.

  • Spaces4Learning Launches 2026 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey

    Spaces4Learning recently launched the 2026 Facilities and Construction Brief Survey, which collects data on the previous year’s K–12 and higher education construction projects nationwide.

  • Designing for Every Mind

    Learning environments have the power to shape not just what students know, but who they become. When a school is designed with genuine empathy—for the full range of ways students think, sense, and engage with the world—it becomes more than a building. It becomes a catalyst for growth, confidence, and belonging. That is the animating idea behind neurodiverse design, and it is one that is transforming how more architects and designers are thinking about school design.