June 1 - 3, 2026
Hilton Garden Inn | 235 Hoosick St, Troy, NY 12180

Greetings, Young Padawans and Jedi Masters!

Are you a fresh recruit to the worlds of financial aid or enrollment management? Or perhaps you are a Jedi Master supervising an apprentice who needs to find their path? It is time to travel to a galaxy not so far away to build a legendary foundation and master the "Force" of Financial Aid.

Join us for NYSFAAA’s award-winning NOVICE Training, where we turn recruits into heroes!

  • When: June 1–3, 2026
  • Where: The Hilton Garden Inn, Troy, NY
  • Registration: $460, which includes $70 NYSFAAA Membership through June 2027.
  • Hotel: $121/night (you must book by May 1 for the state rate!)
  • Theme: Star Wars!

This dynamic, hands-on workshop is specifically designed for professionals with less than one year of experience. You will undergo intensive training on the essentials of federal and NYS aid programs, student eligibility, and the NYS DREAM Act. You’ll leave Troy with the tools and confidence you need to power your career!

What Your Training Includes:

  • Expert-led training and engaging group maneuvers.
  • A pretest and final exam to document your journey from apprentice to master.
  • Real-time navigation of key resources like fsapartners.ed.gov & hesc.ny.gov.
  • Galactic yard games, small group skits, and a Hudson River Cruise featuring dinner and music!

“Do or do not. There is no try.” Secure your spot in the Alliance today and ensure your journey in financial aid starts on the light side!

SCHEDULE
(subject to change)

MONDAY
Time Training Activity
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 AM NYS Grants & Scholarships
9:00 - 10:00 AM NYS DREAM Act
10:00 - 11:00 PM Q & A: NYS Programs
11:00 - 12:00 PM Introductions & Review of Training Agenda
12:00 - 1:00 PM Official Welcome and Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 PM General Provisions: Institutional & Student Eligibility
2:00 - 3:00 PM Federal Pell Grant Program
3:00 - 5:00 PM Small Group: General Provisions; Federal Pell Grant
5:00 - 6:00 PM Dinner
6:00 - 7:00 PM Yard Games + Spam Toss Competition
   
TUESDAY
Time Training Activity
7:00 - 8:00 AM Breakfast
8:00 - 9:00 AM The Student Aid Index
9:00 - 10:00 AM Campus Based Progams & Federal Student Loans
10:00 - 11:00 AM Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP)
11:00 - 12:00 PM Small Group: SAI, Campus Based Programs, Loans & SAP
12:00 - 1:00 PM Lunch
1:00 - 2:00 PM Budgets & Packaging
2:00 - 3:00 PM Federal Verification & Conflicting Information
3:00 - 4:00 PM Professional Judgment
4:00 - 5:00 PM Small Group: Budgets & Packaging, Verification, & PJ
5:00 - 7:00 PM Boat Tour of Capital Region & Dinner
7:00 - 8:00 PM Small Group Team Trivia
   
WEDNESDAY
Time Training Activity
9:00 - 10:00 AM Breakfast / Banquet with EC by Region
10:00 - 11:00 AM Skits
11:00 - 12:00 PM Overview of Final Exam Information
12:00 PM End of Program

 

Questions? Reach out to [email protected]
May the Force be with you!