Annual Conference


Get ready—WASFAA is bringing the sunshine, style, and spirit of community to the 2026 WASFAA Annual Conference in beautiful Palm Springs! This year’s theme, “We’re Fabulous,” captures the vibrant, retro-inspired energy reflected in the conference logo and sets the tone for a memorable and engaging event.

With continued changes stemming from the FAFSA Simplification Act and the Big Beautiful Bill (OB3), this year’s programming will provide timely guidance, practical tools, and opportunities to connect with colleagues from across the region.

Why You Don’t Want to Miss This

  • Hear directly from three federal trainers who will be onsite to deliver essential updates
  • Take advantage of an Ask-A-Fed station for real-time questions
  • Connect with colleagues, experts, and vendors in a collaborative, high-energy setting
  • Enjoy a resort atmosphere perfect for networking, learning, and professional rejuvenation

Certified Financial Aid Administrator® Pre-Conference Workshop Opportunity!

The WASFAA Training Committee is excited to announce an opportunity to attend a CFAA® exam prep course prior to the WASFAA conference in May! Save on travel costs and add this pre-conference workshop to your agenda and be even MORE Fabulous!!

The workshop will be 7-8 hours over two days: Sunday, May 17 from 1:00-5:00-ish pm and Monday, May 18 from 8:00-noon-ish at our beautiful conference site, the Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa. Check out more details on the In-Person Training page. Early bird pricing ends April 13 and seats are limited, so REGISTER TODAY!

Join Us May 18-20 for a Fabulous Time!
Registration is OPEN!
Early Registration - Extended through April 17, 2026: $525 Members / $725 Non-Members
Registration (After April 17, 2026): $725 Members / $925 Non-Members
Hotel
Omni Rancho Las Palmas Resort & Spa,
41000 Bob Hope Drive, Rancho Mirage, California, 92270.
Book online or call 1-800-THE-OMNI (1-800-843-6664) using the group code 051626ANNUALCON.
The last day to reserve at group rate is Thursday, April 23rd, 2026.
Justification Letter
Need to make your case to leadership to attend? We've drafted up a Justification Letter for you to download and edit.

Getting to the Conference

Palm Springs International (PSP)
Closest option
~10 miles • ~15–20 minutes drive time
Typical rideshare: ~$40 (varies by demand/time).
Ontario International (ONT)
Great alternate if PSP flights are limited
~80 miles • ~1.5 hours drive time
John Wayne / Orange County (SNA)
Strong option with solid flight coverage
~110 miles • ~2 hours drive time
Los Angeles International (LAX)
Most flight options
~130 miles • ~2.5 hours drive time
(traffic can be a factor)
San Diego International (SAN)
Good option for many West Coast routes
~120 miles • ~2.5 hours drive time

About the Conference

The WASFAA Annual Conference is the premier training and networking event for financial aid professionals across the Western United States and Pacific Islands. Hosted each spring, the conference brings together professionals from a variety of institutions and organizations to explore timely topics, share best practices, and build stronger support systems for students.

Whether you're new to the profession or a seasoned leader, the conference offers valuable opportunities to grow your knowledge, engage with peers, and contribute to the ongoing improvement of our field.

What to Expect

  • Federal and State Policy Updates from NASFAA, Department of Education, and other experts
  • Best Practice Workshops on compliance, enrollment management, and student engagement
  • Leadership and Professional Development sessions tailored to different career stages
  • Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility conversations that inspire institutional change
  • Networking Opportunities with colleagues and solution providers

2026 Session Topics

This year’s program features sessions across four key areas, designed to support professionals at every stage of their career:

Leadership & Management
Federal Updates — Including OB3
College Access & Student Support Best Practices
Personal & Professional Wellness

Sponsorship

Corporate partners: Sponsorship opportunities are now open! Please go to https://www.wasfaa.org/conference_partnership_options.php for details. For more information, contact Fund Development Chair, Greg Kerr at gkerr@ecmc.org.

Tentative Agenda

Schedule is subject to change. Click each day to expand.

\/  Sunday, May 17, 2026
  • 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Registration (Foyer)
  • 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM FAAC Training (Day 1) (Salon A)
\/  Monday, May 18, 2026
  • 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM FAAC Training (Day 2) (Salon A)
  • 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration (Foyer)
  • 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Newcomers Session
  • 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch (On Your Own)
  • 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Conference Opening & Welcome (Salon E–H)
  • 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM Keynote Speaker & NASFAA Update (Salon E–H)
  • 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM Snack Break (Salon D)
  • 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Breakout Sessions A
    • Completion Economics: The Cost of a Dropped Student (Salon A)
    • Dungeons, Dragons, and Disbursements (Salon B)
    • Choose Your Own Aid-Venture! A Guide to Navigating Tools & Resources (Salon C)
    • Driving With Data (Desert Suite 1)
    • On the Bridge: Steering Social Media with Intention (Salon E–H)
  • 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Break (Salon D)
  • 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Breakout Sessions B
    • FTI Data Sharing (Salon A)
    • Calm in the Chaos: Building Teams That Stick, Grow, and Stay (Salon B)
    • From Jargon to Clarity: Best Practices for Student-Centered Communication (Salon C)
    • From Story to Strategy: Navigating the Policy Process Through Advocacy (Desert Suite 1)
    • Making Financial Aid Make Sense for Graduate & Professional Students (Salon E–H)
  • 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM President’s Reception (Starlight Terrace)
  • 6:30 PM Dinner (On Your Own)
\/  Tuesday, May 19, 2026
  • 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast (General Session) (Salon E–H)
  • 9:30 AM – 9:50 AM Break (Salon D)
  • 9:50 AM – 10:50 AM Breakout Sessions C
    • Student Loan Repayment in the Modern Era (Salon A)
    • OIG (Salon B)
    • Interpersonal Skills for Compassionate Student Engagement (Salon C)
    • Kickstart Your Heart: Exploring Values that Guide You (Desert Suite 1)
  • 10:50 AM – 11:20 AM Break (Salon D)
  • 11:20 AM – 12:20 PM Breakout Sessions D
    • Managing Credit for Private Lending (Salon A)
    • Lessons in Leadership from Behind the Dungeon Master Screen (Salon B)
    • Staying Audit Cool: How to Extinguish the Hottest Findings (Salon C)
    • The Secret to Fabulous Teams that Thrive (Desert Suite 1)
  • 12:20 PM – 1:40 PM Lunch & Inside the Beltway (Salon E–H)
  • 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Breakout Sessions E
    • Graduate & Professional Birds of a Feather (Salon A)
    • How California Invests for Students: Resources for All (Salon B)
    • Cash Management (Salon C)
    • Growing Your Financial Aid Career Through Volunteer Leadership (Desert Suite 1)
  • 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Food Break (Salon D)
  • 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Breakout Sessions F
    • Putting the AI in Financial Aid: Practical Tools for FAAs (Salon A)
    • Clear is Kind: Building Trust with Authentic Communication (Salon B)
    • Empower Your Students’ Futures (Salon C)
    • FinAidLandia: Aid’splaining Across Your Campus (Desert Suite 1)
    • Federal Work-Study (Salon E–H)
  • 5:00 PM Dinner (On Your Own)
\/  Wednesday, May 20, 2026
  • 8:30 AM – 8:55 AM Breakfast (Salon E–H)
  • 8:55 AM – 9:00 AM Business Meeting (Salon E–H)
  • 9:00 AM – 10:30 AM WASFAA Closing & Federal Update (Salon E–H)
We're excited to see you in Palm Springs! 
\/  WASFAA Refund, Cancellation, and Transfer Policy

Full Refunds
Requests for full refunds or cancellations of unpaid invoices must be submitted at least 45 days before the conference (by April 3, 2026). To request a refund or cancellation, please email conference2026@wasfaa.org.

Transfer of Paid Registrations
Paid registrations may be transferred to another individual within the same institution and membership status, provided the request is made at least 14 days before the event (by May 1, 2026). To request a transfer, please email conference2026@wasfaa.org with a brief explanation of the reason along with the name and email address of the individual you would like to transfer the registration to.

Post-Deadline Requests
If you have extenuating circumstances after April 3, 2026 and would like to request a refund or cancellation of an unpaid invoice, you can appeal to the WASFAA Fiscal Planning Committee by completing an Event Refund Request Form. Appeals will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with refunds ranging from 0–100% of the original cost.

Have questions about the Annual Conference?
We’re here to help! Reach out to your 2026 Annual Conference co-chairs at conference2026@wasfaa.org

Dewayne Barnes
Dewayne Barnes
Jessica Ayres
Jessica Ayres