1. education
2. graduate school
3. college

Thursday March 26, 2015
Wednesday April 1, 2015
Doubletree by Hilton - West
(Formally Four Points by Sheraton)
Holiday Inn Harrisburg/Hershey -East
Mars, PA
Grantville, PA
Registration Fee: $35 (includes pastries & lunch) * Doors open at 8 AM * Training begins at 8:45 AM
8 AM – 8:45 AM – Registration & Exhibit Area Open, Pastries & Hot Beverages
8:45 AM – 8:55 AM - Welcome & Housekeeping, Joe Alaimo, PASFAA President
8:55 AM – 9:40 AM– Federal Session, Amber Johnson
9:50 AM – 10:40 AM – Interest Sessions
R2T4 Calculations & Case Studies– Come test your financial aid skills to determine the basics of Return to
Title IV, as well as what to do with Modules, and how to complete the R2T4 process when working with
Credit-Hours and/or Clock-hours. Presented by: Janet McLaughlin of University of Pittsburgh (W) and
Linda Ross of Reading Hospital School of Nursing (E)
Navigating Difficult People- We all run into difficult people, sometimes quite frequently! Come along with
us as we explore difficult people, who they are and how to survive interacting with them. We will share
tried and true tactics for diffusing difficult situations with students, parents, and even the people we work
with. Presented by Patty Peterson of PNC Bank (W) & Linda Diaz of Harrisburg Area Community College E)
Perkins Loan Roundtable- The Govt. Relations Committee would like to get feedback from interested
parties as to their thoughts regarding the continuation or discontinuation of the program. Additionally,
they will review the parameters surrounding the termination of the program and include a short training
on the close out of Perkins. Facilitators include: Alyssa Dobson of Edinboro University and Linda Anderson
of Carnegie Mellon University (W), Meghan Petsko of Villanova University, Shelby Smith of Lafayette
College and Kimberly Uphold of Reading Area Community College (E)
10:50 AM – 11:40 AM – Interest Sessions
SULA HULA - Brushing up on the dance moves of the 150% Direct Subsidized Loan Limit and reviewing
common questions/answers on how this Hula is successfully performed. Presented by: Colleen Coudriet
of PSU World Campus (W&E)
Motivating Marketing Techniques- Marketing techniques and motivation to engage students in the
financial aid process and financial literacy. Presented by Charles Scheetz of Mansfield University (W) and
Shannon Adam & Melissa Labrie of Moravian College (E)
Financial Literacy and Helping Your Families Navigate through the Maze - Families rely on Colleges and
Universities to help them make sound financial decisions. This panel discussion, which will include
representatives from the higher education community, will focus on the broad spectrum of financial
literacy tools and resources available to institutions and families. You will learn from schools the specific
information, tools and resources they are making available to their families and how they are
disseminating materials. Presented by: Melony Ohalek of Sallie Mae (W) Jennifer Burns of Chatham
University (W), Joanna Hastings of Slippery Rock University (W), Keri Neidig of Sallie Mae (E), Erin Wolfe of
Susquehanna University (E) Ron Toles of Eastern University (E)
11:45 AM – 12:45 PM – Networking Lunch –Optional opportunity to eat lunch in user groups to establish
contacts & network. Please select group you would like to sit with: Datatel, CampusVue, Banner,
PeopleSoft, Powerfaids, Homegrown System, EdExpress, Other. Remember to bring your business cards!
If you do not want to participate, please select “other.” Please check if you have a special dietary need
and explain in the field. We will do our best to accommodate you.
12:55 PM – 1:45 PM – Interest Sessions
Verification 15/16 - Whether you are new to verification or just need a refresher, this session goes over
the basics of the federal verification requirements. The session will also include an opportunity to discuss
unusual situations that every financial aid office encounters. Presented by Tiffany Aloi of Slippery Rock
University (W) and Tonya Hsiung of Franklin & Marshall College (E)
Counseling Borrowers on Pay as you Earn & Income Repayment- Your borrowers have many options for
managing repayment, including deferment, forbearance, and forgiveness. Brush up on them to effectively
counsel students during upcoming exit counseling. Presented by: Leigh Bove & Joe Jovell of Great Lakes
(W&E)
SGDEPP, RTSS & Partner Interface Updates- Year two of PHEAA's State Grant Distance Education Pilot
Program (SGDEPP) introduced a new student level disbursement, refund and reconciliation process. This
model is also followed for the new Ready to Succeed Scholarship Program (RTSS). This new model is
supported largely by Partner Interface. The session provides a high level overview of the Partner Interface
functionality to support the new processes as well as dive into discussions of policy that drive these
changes. We would also encourage those not participating with SGDEPP and RTSS to listen in as this looks
to be a model PHEAA evaluates for other programs. Presented by Isaac Greene & Ashley Ruth of PHEAA
(W&E)
1:55 PM – 2:35 PM
2:35 PM – 3:15 PM
2:35 PM - 3:15 PM
Washington Update – Scott Miller of PHEAA
PHEAA update – Chris Zuzack of PHEAA
Graduate Roundtable- This session will provide an opportunity to discuss financial
aid issues facing Graduate Schools. Come ask questions and discuss solutions
with your fellow Financial Aid Administrators. Facilitators include: Catherine
Demchak of Carnegie Mellon U – Heinz College (W), Susan Bogart of The
Pennsylvania State University – Dickinson School of Law (E), Meghan Petsko of
Villanova University (E) Kristina Wilhelm-Nelson of Villanova Law School (E)
*Please sit close to an exit during the Washington Update to ensure an easy exit as
the PHEAA update begins.
The 2015 Spring Training Committee is looking forward to having you Spring Ready!
Amanda Scheler, Fiona Davenport, Linda Diaz, Linda Ebel, Natasha Eckart, Michelle Jackson and Heather Sperratore