100 episodes

Hosted by NASFAA staff, this weekly podcast offers an unscripted view of hot financial aid and higher education-related topics. Justin Draeger and co-hosts will discuss what's happening inside the beltway to give you an insider's perspective.

NASFAA's Off the Cuff Podcast NASFAA

    • Education
    • 4.7 • 80 Ratings

Hosted by NASFAA staff, this weekly podcast offers an unscripted view of hot financial aid and higher education-related topics. Justin Draeger and co-hosts will discuss what's happening inside the beltway to give you an insider's perspective.

    OTC Inside the Beltway: Cardona Faces More FAFSA Questions on the Hill

    OTC Inside the Beltway: Cardona Faces More FAFSA Questions on the Hill

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Karen, and Rachel are joined by Jon Fansmith, the American Council on Education's senior vice president of government relations and national engagement, to recap a lengthy House hearing where Education Secretary Miguel Cardona sparred with Republicans over the department’s budget request and the secretary’s record. The team then recapped some exchanges centered on the 2024-25 FASFA and highlighted noteworthy student aid policies that came up during the hearing, which lasted over four hours. The conversation then turned to more updates on the ongoing FAFSA rollout and electronic announcements that could be delivered in the coming days.

    • 43 min
    OTC Inside the Beltway: Debriefing the Temporary FAFSA Filing Fix for Mixed-Status Families and Cardona's Senate Hearing

    OTC Inside the Beltway: Debriefing the Temporary FAFSA Filing Fix for Mixed-Status Families and Cardona's Senate Hearing

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin is joined by Jill and Rachel to discuss this week's announcement from the Department of Education (ED) of a temporary FAFSA filing fix for applicants and contributors without a Social Security number. From there, Rachel debriefs listeners on Education Secretary Miguel Cardona's testimony at a Senate appropriation subcommittee hearing this week. The group also discusses last week's announcement that FSA Chief Operating Officer Richard Cordray is stepping down from his position this summer. 
     

    • 46 min
    OTC Inside The Beltway: New Changes at NASFAA

    OTC Inside The Beltway: New Changes at NASFAA

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by NASFAA Executive Vice President Beth Maglione and Director of Research Charlotte Etier to discuss Justin's announcement this week that he plans to step down from his role as NASFAA’s president and CEO in June. From there, Karen debriefs listeners on more FAFSA updates, including where we stand with institutional corrections. Plus, Charlotte shares the results of NASFAA's latest poll on when institutions plan to send financial aid offers to students and what their disbursement timing may be. 

    • 47 min
    OTC Inside The Beltway: More FAFSA Updates and Biden's Proposed Student Debt Relief Plan

    OTC Inside The Beltway: More FAFSA Updates and Biden's Proposed Student Debt Relief Plan

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin and Karen are joined by Jon Fansmith, the American Council on Education's senior vice president of government relations and national engagement, to discuss the latest FAFSA updates of the past week, including news on the Department of Education's reprocessing of affected Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs). From there, Karen walks through the results of this week's NASFAA poll which asked members about their institutions' plans to send financial aid offers to students. Plus, Jon debriefs listeners of the Biden administration's proposed rules on student debt relief, and where the congressional appropriations process stands.

    • 39 min
    OTC Inside The Beltway: NASFAA Testifies on 2024-25 FAFSA Rollout

    OTC Inside The Beltway: NASFAA Testifies on 2024-25 FAFSA Rollout

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Karen, Rachel, and Tim discuss Justin's testimony this week before the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Development on the Department of Education's (ED) rollout of the 2024-25 FAFSA. Karen also debriefs listeners on the latest NASFAA poll asking members about which first-year undergraduate student populations, if any, they plan to send aid offers to by May 1. From there, the team discusses the latest FAFSA updates from ED on the status of reprocessing ISIRs, student corrections, and new guidance from the department. Finally, Rachel informs listeners on the latest news on the Biden administration's student debt relief plan. 

    • 1 hr 2 min
    OTC Inside The Beltway: Unpacking the FAFSA Tax Data Issues

    OTC Inside The Beltway: Unpacking the FAFSA Tax Data Issues

    This week on "Off The Cuff," Justin, Karen, and Tim discuss this week's news that the Department of Education (ED) identified three issues concerning tax data reported on FAFSA applicant records. The team dives into the details of those identified issues, and what the department is doing next — including the latest update to reprocess all affected records. Tim also provides context on how financial aid professionals are currently feeling amid these challenges. 

    • 49 min

Customer Reviews

4.7 out of 5
80 Ratings

80 Ratings

Katet in NC ,

Making FAFSA Entertaining.

I am not a Title IV staff member and discussions about Title IV processes are typically esoteric and boring. However, this show is entertaining and they do a good job keeping it relevant and informative for others in higher ed. Thank you.

G_Mayra ,

A MUST for all Financial Aid Professionals

I truly enjoy listening to “Off The Cuff”. The host and co-host are funny and energetic. Every single episode is filled with useful information. I’m a pre-COVID listener but I must say they have been doing a fantastic job during this global pandemic. If you’re interested in all the updates and policies related to financial aid and higher education then I recommend you subscribe.

Jaydodo ,

Just the facts

I like to keep up on regulations or topics that are being discussed on the hill. I’d always liked a more plain spoken approach about policies since most of us don’t have time to read 1000-page house or senate bills. But, the blatant partisanship is unwelcome. Having a self-described progressive left think tank on, but no opposing or alternate viewpoints is really in poor taste. NASFAA is supposed to represent us all, not just some of us. Stick to the facts.

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