Training
Thirsty for Information Thursday
A Monthly Webinar Series Presented by Our NJASFAA Sponsors!
Thursday, February 19th, 2026, at 10:00 AM EST
Sponsored by: College Ave Student Loans
OB3 Changed the Rules: How to Prepare Students for Credit-Based Borrowing
The One Big Beautiful Bill (OB3) is reshaping how students and families pay for college - and for many, it means increased reliance on private education loans. As federal options shift, credit readiness is becoming a critical part of financial aid advising, not an afterthought.
In this session, we'll break down how OB3 elevates the importance of credit and why more students will encounter credit-based borrowing earlier and more often. Financial aid administrators will learn how to explain credit reports and scores in plain language, set realistic expectations around eligibility, and - most importantly - give students actionable steps they can take now to improve their credit before applying.
Attendees will leave with a clear, repeatable framework they can confidently share with students and families, including simple timelines, real-world examples, and protective strategies like credit freezes. The goal is not just understanding credit, but empowering students to actively improve it in post-OB3 borrowing landscape.
Presented by:
Jenn Sommerman, Head of Campus Development - Northeast
Jenn Sommerman is the Head of Campus Development - Northeast at College Ave Student Loans and brings 29 years of experience in higher education. A first-generation college student, she has dedicated her career to helping institutions and families navigate the financial aid process and make higher education more accessible and affordable. Her background includes vendor partner roles as LRAP association, Tuition Management Systems, and Access Group, as well as service on financial aid staff at New York University, Brooklyn Law School, and Georgetown University Law Center. She also served as staff member for the US Department of Education's Advisory Committee on Student Financial Assistance. She is a frequent speaker at conferences and on campuses, to both students and financial aid administrators.
Jann holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting from Indiana University and a Master's degree in Higher Education Administration from New York University.
Free with 2025-26 NJASFAA membership
Zoom link sent by email after registration
NASFAA CORE Credential Training - February 2026
Wednesday, February 25th, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Concurrent Session – Select One:
Need Analysis, Catherine Boscher-Murphy President/Owner of CBM Enterprises Inc.
Catherine began her Financial Aid career, accidentally of course, 43 years ago. She has a variety of experiences including 4-year public and independent colleges, vocational-technical schools and multi-campus proprietary colleges. Catherine owns and manages CBM Enterprises, inc., an educational management consulting company, providing post-secondary institutions with expertise in various financial aid areas. From that experience, Catherine became the Compliance Officer at Montclair State University.
She has been an active member of NJASFAA since the late 80’s; she served as President and has continued to be involved on numerous committees. Catherine has been a member of EASFAA over the years and, most recently, Chair of the NASFAA/EASFAA Credential Training Committee. Currently, Catherine holds 12 NASFAA Core credentials. And PJ is her favorite subject!
R2T4, Douglas Wilson, FAAC®, Director of Financial Aid, Kean University
Douglas Wilson has been a financial aid professional for more than three decades - making him a member of the "doing-this-most-of-my-life" club. He has worked at institutions in New York, New Jersey and Delaware, and he is currently the Director of Financial Aid at Kean University. Doug is a two-term Past Treasurer for EASFAA and a Past President of NJASFAA, where he also served as Treasurer for two terms [do you see a pattern?] and Council Member at Large. He is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator® and was a member of NASFAA's Conference Program Task Force last year. Additionally, he has trained TRIO professionals for the Council for Opportunity in Education (COE) and high school guidance counselors for HESAA’s Secondary School Counselor Training Institute.
Doug has a BS from Penn State University and an MBA from Rutgers Business School. The Montclair native currently resides in Woodbridge, NJ.
Sessions will be from 10:30am - 2:30pm with registration and light breakfast beginning at 10:00am. Participants are encouraged to bring a snack or bagged lunch. Free parking is available behind the building.
Participants must stay for the entire training in order to be eligible for the credential exam post-session.
Free with 2025-26 NJASFAA membership
NASFAA CORE Credential Training - March 2026
Thursday, March 12th, 2026, at 10:00 AM
Concurrent Session – Select One:
Administrative Capability, Catherine Boscher-Murphy President/Owner of CBM Enterprises Inc.
Catherine began her Financial Aid career, accidentally of course, 43 years ago. She has a variety of experiences including 4-year public and independent colleges, vocational-technical schools and multi-campus proprietary colleges. Catherine owns and manages CBM Enterprises, inc., an educational management consulting company, providing post-secondary institutions with expertise in various financial aid areas. From that experience, Catherine became the Compliance Officer at Montclair State University.
She has been an active member of NJASFAA since the late 80’s; she served as President and has continued to be involved on numerous committees. Catherine has been a member of EASFAA over the years and, most recently, Chair of the NASFAA/EASFAA Credential Training Committee. Currently, Catherine holds 12 NASFAA Core credentials. And PJ is her favorite subject!
Verification, Asia Taj, NJIT
Asia Taj serves as the Director of Financial Aid for Compliance and Operations, bringing over 20 years of experience in financial aid administration. She is also a past president of NJASFAA (New Jersey Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators).
Sessions will be from 10:30am - 2:30pm with registration and light breakfast beginning at 10:00am. Participants are encouraged to bring a snack or bagged lunch. Free parking is available behind the building.
Participants must stay for the entire training in order to be eligible for the credential exam post-session.
Free with 2025-26 NJASFAA membership
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