Kathy Bialk, assistant provost and director of Student Financial Aid at the University of Iowa, and Kelly Carrell, associate director of Student Financial Aid at the UI, each have earned the designation of Certified Financial Aid Administrator (CFAA). The CFAA Commission serves as the independent certifying body of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) that awards the CFAA certification, and sets policy and standards related to the CFAA Program.

The certification indicates that Bialk and Carrell possess the foundational knowledge and skills to effectively administer Title IV federal student aid programs at colleges and universities across the United States as financial aid professionals. Becoming a CFAA provides credibility by establishing that the individual holding this credential has an overall understanding of 12 knowledge domains and competencies—as defined by a representative panel of financial aid experts—and can apply this knowledge in the workplace.

Employing CFAA credential holders helps ensure Title IV aid is being administered ethically and effectively, which supports every participating institution’s commitment to administrative capability made to the U.S. Department of Education in the school’s Program Participation Agreement.

In addition, Bialk was appointed to serve as the CFAA Commission Midwest Regional Representative. She also was  recently elected to serve as CFAA Commission chair-elect for the 2019-2020 term, chair for 2020-2021, and past-chair for 2021-2022. 

More information about the CFAA Program can be found at www.nasfaa.org/CFAA, or by contacting NASFAA’s CFAA Program staff via email at credential@nasfaa.org.