NASFAA CFAA® Program

Take the Next Step in Your Professional Development!

Are you ready to earn your Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC®) designation? RMASFAA is proud to offer a Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Program Prep Course designed to guide you through the certification process, helping you excel on the exam and achieve this prestigious credential.

 

Why join this course?

The CFAA® Prep Course is designed to provide you with all the tools, insights, and support you need to succeed in the CFAA® exam:
  •  Comprehensive preparation materials tailored to the CFAA® exam content.
  •  Guidance from experienced financial aid professionals who have successfully earned their CFAA®.
  •  Opportunities to connect and collaborate with fellow RMASFAA members pursuing the same goal.
  •  Flexible and interactive learning designed to fit your schedule.
  •  High success rate for passing the test – see the graph below for more details!

Workshop Details

Cost
  • $175 RMASFAA member rate (a $649 value!)*
  • $225 non-RMASFAA-member rate (a $599 value!)*
     Lunch is provided.          
What to Expect
  • Seven to eight hour in-person workshop facilitated by certified FAACs, utilizing NASFAA's Exam Preparation Guide and workshop materials.
  • Engaging group discussions and interactive activities designed to reinforce learning.
  • Complimentary access to exclusive preparation resources, including the certification knowledge exam (a $649 value to RMASFAA members!*).
  • Increased confidence in what to expect on the test, how to take a proctored exam, and in your current knowledge base for successfully passing the exam!
 Resources Provided
  • Exam Preparation Guide
  • Self-Assessment Worksheet
  • Workshop Handouts
  • Practice Exam & Diagnostic Report
Am I qualified to do this? 
*NASFAA’s current costs are $150 for the Exam Prep Guide, $299 for their online workshop, and $375 for the exam,
although the prep guide and online prep workshop are optional. The application fee is currently waived.

How to Register

Ready to take the next step? Registration is open for the CFAA® Prep Course! Secure your spot in one of options below. It is not required to register for the course offered in your state - pick the location that works best for your schedule! 

  • Colorado CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration (link will be displayed when course registration is live)
              May 5, 8:30 am 4:30 pm; Elevation Hotel & Spa; Crested Butte, CO; instructors: Elizabeth Reynolds & Kristina Moss
              REGISTER HERE!

  • Kansas CFAA® Program Prep (canceled for 2026; check out other options or check back next year!) 
         March 9, 8:30 am-5:00 pm; Wichita State University; WSU Connect Space; instructors, Brenda Hicks & Darcy Johnson      

  • Nebraska CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration 
           March 18, 8:30 am-4:30 pm; at Divots Conference Center, Norfolk, NE; instructors: Susan Collins & Susan Stephenson
           REGISTER HERE!

  • North Dakota CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration (not offered in 2026; check out other options or check back next year!)

  • South Dakota CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration (not offered in 2026; check out other options or check back next year!)

  • Montana CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration 
           April 1, 1:00-5:00 pm; April 2, 8:00 am-noon; Fairmont Hot Springs Resort, Fairmont, MT; instructors: Val Curtin & Kelli Engelhardt
               REGISTER HERE!

  • Wyoming CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration (not offered in 2026; check out other options or check back next year!)

  • Utah CFAA® Program Prep Course Registration (not offered in 2026; check out other options or check back next year!)

  • Pre- or Post-RMASFAA Annual Conference option: details coming soon! 

Spaces are limited, so don’t miss this opportunity to invest in your future and enhance your professional credentials!

Testimonials

Don't just take our word for it. See what those who’ve taken the prep course are saying, and how successful they've been!

The test prep helped solidify the information that I already knew and gave me the confidence to take and pass the exam!
~ Bailey Jorgensen, Nebraska Methodist College

The RMASFAA CFAA® Preparation Course was a significant help to me in prepping for the CFAA examination. The instructors were very knowledgeable and engaging. I appreciated the opportunity to ask questions and participate in discussions which helped to identify where I needed to focus my studying efforts. In addition, we also shared exam day tips about preparing your space and what to expect from your proctor, which helped to alleviate some ‘test taking anxiety’. I highly recommend the course!
~ Stephanie Frank, South Dakota State University

Attending the RMASFAA CFAA® Certification prep course is actually what persuaded me to take the certification exam. I had convinced myself that taking the class would be simply informational for me, and that certification was beyond my knowledge base. After participating with my leaders and fellow attendees, through open, honest, and friendly discussion, I started to believe that I actually might be able to reach this achievement. I was right! Without the RMASFAA prep class and the provided review materials, I would not have even attempted the exam, and would not have brand new business cards, including FAAC® credentials.
~ Rachel Sommerer, Southeast Community College - Milford Campus
 

I was nervous to take the exam. I haven’t ever taken a proctored exam and the process was intimidating. I took the CFAA® Prep Class at the last RMASFAA conference and with everything going on this year, never prioritized taking my practice exam. When I received notice that my exam access was expiring, I finally scheduled my exam only to get COVID the week I was scheduled to test! Ultimately, I took my test on the day before my access expired. I reviewed the slides and my notes from the class, made flash cards for the topics I was less familiar with, took some deep breaths, did some yoga poses, and dove in!

Even though I felt like I was taking a long time on each question, I ended up having enough time to go through the exam twice to revisit the questions I was less confident about. When I initially signed up for the [course], I wasn’t sure if I would ever take the exam. I just thought it would be a good practice to go through such a broad and thorough training. [It] was the best training I’ve ever received. I learned so much, had valuable conversations with other seasoned professionals, got to know RMASFAA leadership, identified my areas of expertise and where I needed to focus more learning, and my confidence was greatly increased. Passing the exam was one of the most exhilarating experiences in my career. There are only 18 people in Colorado with the FAAC® designation, including me, and I am extremely proud to hold this designation. I can now say that I am a literally certified FA nerd! Even if you’re not sure if you’ll take the exam, I highly recommend participating in the CFAA® Prep Class. It’s one of the most valuable trainings you can do, especially for new, seasoned, or aspiring leaders in financial aid. 5 stars!
~ Shannon Webber, Red Rocks Community College

Even after nearly 30 years in financial aid, the NASFAA FAAC® workshop gave me new insight and focus. The sessions were practical, engaging, and so well aligned with the certification content that I felt immediately ready to test my knowledge.

As soon as I was given access to the practice test after the workshop, I took it — and passed! That gave me the confidence to schedule the actual exam just two days later, and I passed that too.

These workshops do more than prepare you for the CFAA® exam; they help you see the depth and professionalism of our field in a new light. Whether you’re new to certification or a seasoned aid professional, you’ll walk away sharper, more confident, and proud to represent the standards of our profession.
~ Susan Collins, Doane University