Publication Date: August
31, 2005
Author: Chief Operating
Officer, Federal Student Aid
Summary: Invitation to
the 2005 Electronic Access Conferences
Posted on 08-31-2005
Dear Partner,
Federal Student Aid invites
you and your colleagues to join us at one of our two Electronic Access Conferences
(EACs). We are holding these conferences at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in San
Diego, California from October 30 to November 2 and at the Marriott Marquis
in Atlanta, Georgia from November 29 to December 2, 2005. These conferences
provide updates and training on Federal Student Aid's application, eligibility
and delivery services and focus on issues related to the administration of Title
IV programs.
The conference features
informative General Sessions and more than 40 interest sessions. For new EAC
participants, be sure to attend the session, "So, This is Your First EAC?"
This session will orient you with the conference agenda, so you can attend the
sessions you think will be most beneficial to you. Additionally, a computer
lab is available, with experts, who can provide personalized training and show
you how to use our financial aid software or answer your financial aid questions.
I encourage your active
participation at the conference through our "Birds of a Feather" end-of-the-day
sessions, where you meet and mingle with your peers to discuss shared financial
aid issues. There are also open forums for Tribal Colleges, Hispanic-serving
Institutions and HBCUs, as well as a variety of focus groups, and the Town Hall
Meeting. Additionally, some of our most popular sessions are featured, such
as Common Origination and Disbursement, ISIR Updates, NSLDS, and Return of Title
IV Funds. New sessions include: Implementing National College Access Initiatives;
Top 10 Reasons Students Call 1-800-4-FED-AID; Self Evaluation Tools; and Techie
Terminology and Benefits for FAAs.
Responding to community
feedback, the EACs include a technical track designed for technical staff. These
session topics vary and are designed to educate participants about current technology
used at Federal Student Aid, future technology, and technology-based community
standards efforts. Topic areas include Service Oriented Architecture, XML Techie
Tools, XML Advanced Concepts and Long Term Vision, Optimizing XML on Your Campus
and XML Lessons Learned, E-Authentication, Financial Aid for Techies, Data Transport
Standard, and Meteor Implementation.
With over 4,000 attendees
expected this year, the annual EAC is a "can't-miss" opportunity.
Mark your calendar now for four days of education, career development, networking
and more! For current information on registration, sessions and agenda, visit
www.ifap.ed.gov and click on FSA
conferences in the left-hand column.
No registration fees are
required to attend this conference. Please register online today. If you have
questions regarding the registration process, please call 202-377-3633 or e-mail
fsaconferences@ed.gov. You will find
hotel and travel information on the conference Web site including instructions
on securing lodging at the group rate.
We look forward to seeing
you in San Diego and Atlanta.
Sincerely,
Terri Shaw
Chief Operating Officer
Federal Student Aid
