Joining counterparts from universities such as Clemson and Duke, Missouri Southern’s Director of Financial Aid Becca Diskin was recently named to a task force to develop a credentialing exam for financial aid administrators.
In January, she joined representatives from 15 other schools to create the exam for the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators in Washington, D.C.
The organization is made up of more than 22,000 student financial assistance professionals at nearly 3,000 schools across the country. NASFAA’s mission, according to their website, is to “provide professional development and services for financial aid administrators; advocate for public policies that increase student access and success; and serve as a forum on student financial aid issues.”
“They recruited from their volunteer membership database and selected a team of us,” says Diskin. “We attended a writing workshop that taught us some basics on writing exams, then worked in small teams to develop questions based on subject matter.”
The exam is geared toward professionals in the financial aid industry, who must meet certain criteria to be able to take it.
“The exam covers cash management, verification and all of the rules and regulations we have to deal with,” she says. “The intention is that it will create a credential for people in the field who are seeking other opportunities. It shows that you meet a certain level of expectation and hopefully raises our industry to another level. It’s been needed for a long time.”
Diskin, who has served as MSSU’s financial aid director since 2010, says it was an honor to serve on the committee.
“I worked with some brilliant people,” she says. “I felt privileged to be a part of that and give my input.”