Midwest Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (MASFAA)

2026 Annual Conference | October 18 - 21 | Cedar Rapids, IA

Develop yourself personally and professionally through our outstanding conference programming.

Tentative Agenda | Coming Soon!

Session and presenter details will be shared once available.

Looking for support to attend the 2026 MASFAA Annual Conference?

Download our editable justification letter template to help explain the benefits of conference participation to your supervisor. Customize the letter to reflect your responsibilities, professional development goals, and the value the conference brings to your institution.

Preconference

Start your professional development before the conference even starts. All preconference activities will take place on Sunday, October 18 between 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. Make your selection when you register.

NASFAA Credentials Take your career to the next level with NASFAA Professional Credentials. This exciting program provides a nationally-recognized standard in financial aid training and allows you to earn recognition for your mastery of content. A professional credential benefits you by: Expanding your student financial aid knowledge Improving your job performance and service to students Providing tangible evidence of your knowledge for employers Differentiating between you and less qualified personnel Giving you and your organization a competitive edge Credential – Needs Analysis Timing - 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 18
Community College Roundtable
Facilitator(s): TBD Timing - 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 18
Graduate & Professional Roundtable Facilitator(s): TBD Timing - 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 18 Elevated Leadership Experience, Optional Add-On (via registration form) Session details will be shared once available. Timing - 1:00 - 3:30 p.m. on Sunday, October 18

Special Guests/Keynote

Barry A. Schreier, Ph.D. is a licensed Counseling Psychologist. He was a campus counseling center professional f or 30 years, finishing most recently as Director of the University of Iowa Counseling Center. Barry is now a Professor of Counseling Psychology in the University of Iowa College of Education. Prior to this, he was Director of the Counseling Center at the University of Connecticut, and he spent many years with Princeton and Purdue University’s Counseling Centers. Barry has made a career focused on student, staff, and faculty mental health and well-being. Barry has numerous publications on a variety of topics including sexual orientations and Trans/GNB identities; training and education in psychology; managing student distress; campus suicide prevention; campus outreach and programming; group therapy and brief therapy models; and was an editor for the book: The Handbook of Multicultural Counseling Competency. Dr. Schreier is the founder and senior consultant for Bridge Partners Consultation which provides professional consultation on issues and concerns related to the GLBTQ+ communities. Barry’s also has a private therapy practice in Iowa City. And in all of that, Barry also opened and ran a candy store for several years. Barry is married to his husband Tom with whom he has celebrated 35 years together! He is also the proud owner of a highly over indulged and spoiled cat named Smudge. And when not at work, Barry is inevitably at the theatre! Barry’s pronouns are he/him/his.

Additional special guests will be shared once available.

Entertainment/Evening Activities | Coming Soon!

Charity

Foundation 2 Crisis Services

Our mission is to be a trusted support when life gets tough. All people. Any time. Every time.
Last year, we had over 93,000 crisis contacts via phone, chat, text, and in-person services.
Our services are free, confidential, and available 24/7.
Our services include crisis phone, chat, and text, in-person counseling, intensive outpatient case management, supporting youth and young adults who’ve aged out of the Iowa Foster Care system with case management and vocational support, violence prevention programming, and an emergency youth shelter
Bridging the GAP, a program originally created by Junior League of Cedar Rapids, provides some of the most meaningful support to our young adult population. This program includes providing a suitcase with everything a young person needs when they enter their first apartment, a scholarship program to support them with unexpected expenses (busted tire, unexpected bill), and a small housing project that teaches our young people to save a portion of their rent into an emergency fund. The housing project is tapered to cover more of their rent early on in the program and less in the end of their time. This is a small program with 4-5 young people funded annually.

ILLINOIS INDIANA IOWA MICHIGAN MINNESOTA MISSOURI OHIO WEST VIRGINIA WISCONSIN

MASFAA is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization.

MASFAA, 1985 W. Henderson Rd PMB 69192, Columbus, OH, 43220