Welcome to the 2026–2027 WVASFAA year!

It is truly an honor and privilege to serve as President of the West Virginia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators for the 2026–2027 year.

When I first became involved with WVASFAA, I quickly realized this association is much more than a professional organization. It is a community of dedicated colleagues who willingly share their knowledge, support one another, and work together to better serve students across West Virginia. I am grateful to the leaders and mentors who encouraged me to become involved, and I am humbled by the opportunity to give back by serving in this role.

Our theme for this year, “Be the Light - Guiding Students. Supporting Each Other. Leading with Purpose.", reflects what I believe is at the heart of financial aid. Every day, we have the opportunity to remove barriers, open doors, and help students achieve their educational goals. While federal regulations, technology, and the higher education landscape continue to evolve, our purpose remains constant: to serve students with integrity, compassion, and excellence.

My goal this year is simple—that every member of WVASFAA feels equipped to guide students, supported by their colleagues, and inspired to lead with purpose. Whether you are new to the financial aid profession or have spent decades serving students, each of us brings valuable experiences to our association, and each of us has something new to learn. By sharing our knowledge, encouraging one another, and welcoming new professionals into our organization, we strengthen not only ourselves but also the students and institutions we serve.

I also hope we continue to grow WVASFAA by reconnecting with colleagues and institutions that have not participated in recent years while creating new opportunities for members to become engaged. Our association is strongest when we learn from one another, build meaningful professional relationships, and work together toward common goals.

I invite you to join us for our Leadership Conference on October 30, 2026, in Charleston, where we will come together to learn, collaborate, and strengthen the relationships that make WVASFAA such a valuable professional community. Then, please plan to join us for our Annual Conference, March 17–19, 2027, in Flatwoods, West Virginia, as we continue to grow professionally while celebrating the outstanding work being done by financial aid professionals across our state.

As we begin this new year together, I look forward to working alongside our Board of Directors and each of our members to shape the future of our association. Your ideas, perspectives, and willingness to get involved are what make WVASFAA successful. Together, we can continue building an organization that supports one another while making a lasting difference in the lives of West Virginia students.

Thank you for everything you do each day to help students pursue their educational dreams. It is an honor to serve alongside you, and I look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year.

If you have questions, ideas, or would simply like to connect, I encourage you to reach out. I value your input and welcome the opportunity to hear from you.

Together, let's continue Be the Light - Guiding Students. Supporting Each Other. Leading with Purpose.

Best,

Ed Cole
President, 2026–2027