Associate Director of Financial Aid Samantha Hitchcock earns FAAC designation
Samantha Hitchcock, associate director of Financial Aid for Georgia Southern, has earned the FAAC designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
The FAAC designation is a NASFAA certification designed for financial aid professionals who are dedicated to advancing their professional careers and enhancing their knowledge of Title IV aid administration. This program certifies these professionals with proficiency and knowledge in administering federal financial aid and its interaction with state and private financial aid.
“Since I started my career in financial aid in December 2010, I have always wanted to have this designation but there was a significant certification expense (course and testing fees),” Hitchcock said. “Due to the length of the test and breadth of knowledge required to be successful in passing the test, I feel that it is something I have been preparing for my entire financial aid career. I was more nervous about taking this test than I was taking the SAT or GRE. It was a huge relief when I saw that I passed. I am excited to have reached this personal and professional goal.”
To qualify for the testing for this designation, financial aid professionals need to have a combination of education, ethics and experience, Hitchcock explained. After meeting these qualifications, professionals must take a course and pass a two-hour comprehensive knowledge examination based on financial aid regulations.
The examination assesses knowledge in 12 competency areas: institutional eligibility, data management, administrative capability, consumer information, cash management, student eligibility, cost of attendance and needs analysis, awarding and packaging, verification, return of Title IV funds, satisfactory academic progress and professional judgment.
“This certification is a professional development opportunity that will benefit my career and add value to our office and our institution,” she said. “It recognizes the integral role financial aid administrators play in an educational institution’s overall success and provides an added layer of credibility.”