2023 Events
Professional development opportunities are here for you.
Are you new to K-12 financial aid? Looking for ways to improve your financial aid practices and establish policies? Do you want to connect with colleagues who share your challenges and goals? Find valuable insights and tips on how to navigate the changing landscape of K12 financial aid through a variety of professional development opportunities. From budgeting and forecasting to family dynamics and communication, you can learn how to make the best decisions for your school and families.
Upcoming Events
2023 Practical and Tactical – Navigating Through Financial Aid Season

Regardless of the financial aid platform your school uses, this 7-week online course will help you prepare and execute your FA program in a practical and tactical way. How? By using proven communication strategies, file review protocols, checklists, and awarding strategies to align with your unique enrollment goals. Each class tackles a different aspect of running a FA program. Not only will you have a one-hour live session, but you will gain access to lots of sample materials, documents, videos, and professional support. Instructors: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment and Debby Murphy, AISAP
The Business and Art of Financial Aid

A 3-week course to learn tactical best practices for the financial aid process and how to enhance the strategic partnership between the business and admissions offices for long-term success. Strong collaboration is vital to the strategic preparation, tactical processing, and effective reporting of FA awards. Gain knowledge and tools to address the challenges of budget setting and communicating awards. Learn day-to-day decision-making best practices for consistency in execution. Instructor: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment
All About Assistance: Tuition Assistance and Affording Independent Schools

Parent Workshop | ISAAGNY member schools are top-tier, eclectic, and, yes, expensive. How does tuition assistance work? What’s covered by a grant, and what isn’t? How can we responsibly plan to make this commitment for more than a decade? Learn all about affordability in greater New York schools. Presenters: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment and Sheila Hicks-Rotella, Hackley School
Past Events
EMA Annual Conference 2023

Session: Transitioning Financial Aid Platforms with Ease | The reason why schools change their FA platform can differ significantly. However, the process of making the transition smooth for internal staff and returning families remains the same. And it starts with clean data. This panel discussion will focus on the importance of applicant data by covering key areas to navigate to ensure consistency for your program, determine new formula lever configurations to avoid a swing in calculations and budget, safeguards to implement to support returning families, and how to communicate the “why” for this change. Presenters: Anita Harper, Mission Enrollment; John Amussen, Marlborough School; Bridgette Rappoport, Delphian School; Josie AG Shapiro, Park Day School
Session: Transforming from an “Admission” to a Strategic “Enrollment Management” Paradigm | One of the most important takeaways from EMA’s 2023 State of the Independent School Enrollment Industry (SOTI) Report was the impact of moving from an “admission” to an “enrollment management” mindset. “Enrollment management suggests a more strategic posture and requires deepened sophistication and cross-team administration to be effective. With the strategic enrollment spectrum in hand…enrollment management is a shared manifestation of bringing a school’s mission, vision, and values to life each day.” How does this work happen in practice? Learn from two senior leaders from Mid-Pacific Institute as they share the opportunities, challenges, and strategic impacts of this transition and two experienced consultants who have partnered with Mid-Pacific in their journey. Presenters: Ari Betof, Mission & Data; Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment; Christel McGuigan, Mid-Pacific Institute; Paul Turnbull, Mid-Pacific Institute
Post-Conference Workshop: Financial Aid: Building Philosophy and Procedures | This session will focus on generating a Financial Aid Philosophy for your school to ground your decision in a unified process that helps the school to remain equitable when making financial aid decisions for families. From philosophy we move to procedures to discuss internal procedures for making decisions and how FA is allocated across grade levels, constituencies, and groups. Panelists: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment; John Hutchins, Exeter Academy; Renée Thompson, Prospect Sierra School; Nicole Victor, Westminster Schools; Rob Wise, The Joy School
Executing on Effective Financial Aid Strategy: Integrating Policies with Practices
Balancing families’ needs with school budget constraints can be challenging when it comes to sustaining a financial aid program and remaining mission aligned. This interactive workshop will provide independent school administrators with the tools and best practices to establish and execute effective financial aid programs that support families well beyond the admissions. Presenter: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment
FACTS Elevate 2023

Session: Set Sail for a Successful Financial Aid Season This Fall | Get guidance on how to steer a seamless course next season by utilizing data for budget forecasting, aligning goals with the board, and ensuring your mission and population are reflected in your policies and protocols. Learn how to leverage FACTS internal tracking fields to track yield, returning/new to aid families, and appeals. Then, use your system’s robust reporting to guide your program and longer-term planning. Equipped with effective tools, timelines, and communication templates, you can navigate the FA seas(on) confidently and efficiently, resulting in a smoother process for you and your families. Presenter: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment
Practical and Tactical – Hawaii

Aloha! Mission Enrollment is traveling to beautiful Oahu for an immersive half-day of K-12 financial aid professional development, tailored specifically for Hawaii independent schools. Deepen your understanding of the current economic landscape and trends of Hawaii and learn innovative financial aid strategies to better support families and align your program to meet the mission and enrollment goals of your school and budget. Efficient approaches and best practices learned over the progression of our day will grow your skillset to formulate and manage an effective FA program for your school and the families you serve in Hawaii’s distinctive setting. Hosted by Mid-Pacific Institute.
Executing on Effective Financial Aid Strategy: Integrating Policies with Practices

Balancing families’ needs with school budget constraints can be challenging when it comes to sustaining a financial aid program and remaining mission aligned. This interactive workshop will provide independent school administrators with the tools and best practices to establish and execute effective financial aid programs that support families well beyond the admissions. Presenter: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment
AISAP Annual Institute 2023

Session: Setting Sail for a Successful 24-25 Season | Get prepped and ready to set sail for the next financial aid season this fall. Chart a smooth course by leveraging data for budget forecasting, confirming goals with the board, and ensuring policies and protocols reflect your school’s mission and population. With the tools, timelines, and communication templates, you can navigate the FA seas confidently and efficiently, making life easier for you and your families all season long. Presenter: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment
Getting Board Reports Shipshape for your Head of School and Trustees

FACTS Partner Webinar | As the 23-24 financial season winds down and while you still have some wind in your sails, take stock of your needs for a successful voyage next season. What do you need from your head and those who control the budget, your board, to chart a successful course next year? Your FA data can provide a compass to guide you, revealing the tale of your team’s successes and challenges. Learn how to tidy up your data so you can deliver your financial aid story and share your needs. Or simply celebrate the big successes with a hearty cheer! Presenters: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment and Megan Fangmeyer, FACTS
Ins and Outs of Outsourcing

Limited time, staffing, or tax expertise? Concerned you’re over-awarding families? Transitioning financial aid platforms? Outsourcing can help fill these gaps. Two independent schools, Mid-Pacific Institute (HI) and Newark Academy (NJ), share their experiences partnering with Mission Enrollment to address these challenges. Learn how a collaborative approach to financial aid has transformed their applicant reviews and award decisions, led to a better family experience, and supported healthy enrollment. Presenters: Alisa Evans, Mission Enrollment; Anita Harper, Mission Enrollment; Christel McGuigan, Mid-Pacific Institute – HI; Alexis Sommers, Newark Academy – NJ

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