CASFAA Emerging Leaders Academy

A comprehensive training program for emerging financial aid leaders in California institutions of higher learning.

ELA 2026 will take place August 3–7, 2026, at the University of San Diego, and comes at a pivotal time for the financial aid profession. With the implementation of the 2026–27 FAFSA and significant federal policy changes resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), our work is becoming increasingly complex, technical, and fast-moving. The expectation would be for you to be able to be available for the entire length of the academy.

This year’s Academy will align with CASFAA’s “Down the Rabbit Hole” theme—acknowledging that we are navigating a period of constant change and, at times, uncertainty. Our goal is to prepare emerging leaders not just to respond to change, but to lead through it.

We are intentionally designing ELA 2026 to focus on:

• Leadership in times of change, including fostering psychological safety within teams
• Navigating complexity, particularly related to FAFSA Simplification, OBBBA, and evolving federal and state policy
• Timely technical topics, including Direct Loan updates and tax-related changes impacting aid administration
• Balancing innovation with compliance, reinforcing that effective leaders are those who embrace being changemakers while remaining grounded in regulatory knowledge and integrity

Through this lens, we want participants to experience the Academy as a journey—one where the path may be unpredictable, but where strong leaders stay adaptable, curious, and anchored in sound compliance practices.

The program itself will continue to integrate:

• Federal and state policy knowledge
• Leadership and professional development
• NASFAA U-aligned learning
• Experiential and applied learning opportunities
• Peer collaboration and real-world problem solving

Overall, this program is designed to empower participants with the tools and knowledge needed to excel as leaders in the dynamic environment of higher education, particularly within financial aid departments.