Awards

Each year WASFAA makes awards to persons who have served the profession, the Association, and/or needy students in various capacities. Nominations for the following awards are solicited from the membership each year.

Outstanding Service Award

Regular or Associate membership in WASFAA;

a.    Leadership activities within WASFAA and the field of education and/or the financial aid profession, which have been exemplary; and

b.    A career in financial aid or a financial aid‑related profession which has been marked by service to fellow professionals, students, and those other publics served by the financial aid profession.

Special Recognition Awards

a.    Nominees may be a financial aid administrator or someone from a related field, not necessarily a WASFAA member, who merits special consideration based upon leadership, work on special projects, or significant contributions to the profession, WASFAA and other association(s), or education.

b.    This award is optional.

Recognition of Retirement Awards

Nominees must be retiring from financial aid work due to reasons of health or age.  The person must have served a significant number of years as a member of a financial aid office or in a position eligible for membership in WASFAA.

Length of Service Awards

Given to members who have served as a member of a financial aid office or in a position eligible for membership in WASFAA. Awards begin after 15 years and are given for every five years thereafter. The years of service for members are self‑declared on the WASFAA membership application and are monitored for award eligibility by the Awards Committee.

New Professionals Award

The New Professional Award is given to a Regular or Associate WASFAA member who has made an outstanding contribution to the financial aid profession and WASFAA in particular.  The recipient must have been in the profession for less than five years and made outstanding contributions at the institutional, state, regional, or national level. The recipient must be a current member of WASFAA.

In light of the virtual environment of 2021, we have bypassed the award process this year.

Years of Service

We still want to recognize the individuals who reached special milestones in years of service this year! Thanks to each of you on this list for your dedication to WASFAA and the students and families across the state!