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
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!
Getting to the Conference
~10 miles • ~15–20 minutes drive time
~80 miles • ~1.5 hours drive time
~110 miles • ~2 hours drive time
~130 miles • ~2.5 hours drive time
(traffic can be a factor)
~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
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.
- 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM Registration
- 12:00 PM – 5:00 PM FAAC Training (Day 1)
- 8:00 AM – 12:00 PM FAAC Training (Day 2)
- 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM Registration
- 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM Newcomers Session
- 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM Lunch (On Your Own)
- 1:00 PM – 1:15 PM Welcoming Ceremony
- 1:15 PM – 2:15 PM Keynote Speaker
- 2:15 PM – 2:45 PM Break
- 2:45 PM – 3:45 PM Breakout Sessions A (4)
- 3:45 PM – 4:00 PM Break
- 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM Breakout Sessions B (4)
- 5:00 PM – 6:30 PM President’s Reception (Refreshments served)
- 7:00 PM – 10:00 PM Dinner (On Your Own)
- 8:00 AM – 9:30 AM Breakfast (General Session)
- 9:30 AM – 9:50 AM Break
- 9:50 AM – 10:50 AM Session
- 10:50 AM – 11:20 AM Break
- 11:20 AM – 12:20 PM Session
- 12:20 PM – 1:40 PM Lunch (General Session)
- 2:00 PM – 3:00 PM Session
- 3:00 PM – 3:30 PM Long break (with food)
- 3:30 PM – 4:30 PM Session
- 8:30 AM – 9:15 AM Breakfast
- 9:15 AM – 10:15 AM Business Meeting
- 10:15 AM – 10:30 AM Conference Ends / Checkout
WASFAA Refund, Cancellation, and Transfer Policy
WASFAA offers the following options for the upcoming conference:
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
