The conference committee continues to work hard as we solidify the program for our annual meeting in Albuquerque in December. Hopefully many of you are planning to come December 9-11 to the Hyatt Regency Albuquerque for what we hope will be a grand conference. Registration for the conference is now available on the SWASFAA website, www.swasfaa.org. In addition, there is a link to the hotel site on the conference page of the website to use for reserving a room. The room rate is $131 for a double or a single. You can register for the conference now through November 23 without penalty and the room block for the hotel is open until November 9.

We all continue to try to understand the many changes that the HEOA has presented us within our financial aid world. We hope that the conference will be the place to find many answers. We will be joined by Jeff Baker, Kevin Campbell, and Barbara Davis from the Department of Education, a representative from the regional VA Office, Joan Crissman from NASFAA, outside speakers discussing FERPA and IRS Resources, and other presenters discussing topics related to tasks that we encounter daily.

Please go to the SWASFAA web site and see a more comprehensive agenda. We believe that you will have lots of good information once the conference is over and that you will be able to return to your office with confidence that you can implement the new regulations.

We look forward to seeing many of you as you join us in "Rising Above...the Journey to Greatness".