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