Washington, D.C. (January 31, 2002) – In February 2003, the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) will begin offering a new financial aid review program for schools that compete in NCAA Division I sports. Although violations of NCAA by-laws usually originate in the athletic department, serious infringements can occur in other campus offices. NASFAA’s new Financial Aid NCAA Division I Compliance Review focuses on the financial aid office and is designed to evaluate the financial aid office’s oversight and administration of NCAA by-laws as they relate to financial aid.

During the review, peer reviewers will examine the institution’s:

• Athletic scholarship notification process,
• Coordination of athletic and Title IV aid,
• Compliance with Equity in Athletics Disclosure Act requirements,
• Submission of athletic aid data,
• Reporting of athletic program participation rates,
• Disbursements procedures,
• Coordination and interpretation of rules procedures,
• Athletic governance structure,
• Monitoring, reporting, and certification steps, and
• Program evaluation and documentation efforts.

The Financial Aid NCAA Division I Compliance Review is being offered as the newest module in NASFAA’s Standards of Excellence (SOE) Review Program – a peer review program developed in 1999 to promote the highest standards in the administration of student financial aid.

For more information, contact Vernetta P. Fairley, Program Director at 202-785-0453, ext. 141 or fairleyv@nasfaa.org, or visit www.NASFAA.org/SOE.asp.

The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 10,000 financial aid professionals at nearly 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. Based in Washington, D.C., NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis and training for financial aid administrators. Each year, members help more than 8 million students receive funding for postsecondary education. For more information about NASFAA, visit www.NASFAA.org.