National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Advocacy and YOU The Why and How of Advocacy and How to Communicate Effectively

Slide 2  Understand the political environment  Understand what advocacy means  Understand why you are advocating  Understand what tools are most effective

Slide 3  Three climate drivers: 1.Partisanship & Brinkmanship 2.Budget Politics Dictating Policy 3.Focus on deficit reduction

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Slide 5 FY 2013FY 2014 Sequestration Deficit Reduction

Slide 6  What is Advocacy?  Why do we Advocate?  Examples of Advocacy  Tips for Successful Advocacy at the Grassroots Level

Slide 7 1. To recommend or support publicly 2. A person who upholds or defends a cause; supporter 3. A person who intercedes on behalf of another

Slide 8 1. Lobbying v. Advocacy 2. You don’t need to be in DC to be an effective advocate 3. Advocacy is proactive AND reactive 4. Effective advocacy uses data, research, and stories

Slide 9 Our advocacy efforts center around these major policy areas:  Increasing access to higher education, including early awareness and outreach  Simplifying student aid systems  Encouraging college persistence & completion  College savings and financial education  Minimizing student indebtedness and emphasizing grant and work aid  Supporting the primacy of need-based aid

Slide 10  Administration ◦ Department of Education ◦ Office of Management and Budget  Congress ◦ House & Senate Education Committees ◦ House & Senate Appropriations Committees ◦ Super Committee  Other Higher Education Associations & Organizations ** Takeaway here: Not just Congress

Slide 11  Use data  Tell stories  Build relationships  Be proactive  Show appreciation  Keep it local  Keep it concise

Slide 12  Letters  Statements  Testimony  Social Media  Educational Materials  Coalitions & Partnerships  Hill Visits

Slide 13  Advocacy related to consumer disclosure  Administrative Cost Allowance One-Pager  Elimination of Crossover Regulation for Summer 2011  National Profile & Congressional Staff Orientation  Recent Budget Related Hill Visits & Discussions  Save Student Aid Facebook Page  Budget Center  Committee for Education Funding & Student Aid Alliance  Participation in Award Letter Discussions

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Slide 16  Visit our Facebook Page!  Write letters to your delegation and to Education Committee members  Get students involved!  Use our tools as examples

Slide 17  Build relationships with your lawmakers now by delivering information sheets on how their constituents—the students and families you serve—benefit from the student aid programs.  Follow the latest legislative developments by reading Today’s News, the NASFAA Advocate, and following us on the NASFAA Facebook page and the Save Student Aid Facebook page.  Share with NASFAA all your correspondence with lawmakers so we can support you and understand how to better work with your Congressional delegates.  Visit NASFAA’s “Take Action Page” to stay up-to-date on NASFAA’s latest calls to action

Slide 18 Questions & Discussion Questions & Discussion