FAME 2023 Financial Aid & School Management: Full Schedule

1:00pm EDT

Early Registration Opens

Check in to the conference and grab your name tag before (or after) enjoying everything Hollywood Beach has to offer!
Things to do
When you are not busy networking and learning, there is so much to do in Hollywood Beach, Florida! If you want a relaxing time, take a nice stroll down the Hollywood Broadwalk followed by a quick dip in the warm Atlantic. If an adrenaline rush is more your speed, check out the water sport rentals, such as Wavejets or Stand-up Paddleboards. Click here for more fun activities in Hollywood Beach.

Sunday April 23, 2023 1:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Registration Desk

General

7:30am EDT

Breakfast Served

Monday April 24, 2023 7:30am - 8:30am EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

7:30am EDT

Registration Desk Open

Monday April 24, 2023 7:30am - 5:00pm EDT
Registration Desk

General

8:30am EDT

Welcome

Speakers

Julia Brown

VP Sales & Market Development, FAME

Ms. Brown represents 18 years of postsecondary educational experience and over 32 years of proven sales, marketing and general management experience. She held the position of Executive Director of a prominent career school prior to joining FAME in 1991. Julia is responsible for developing... Read More →

Ricky Alfaro

General Manager, CEO, Fame

As General Manager of Fame, Mr. Alfaro is responsible for growing Fame's business through key initiatives and bringing new products to market. He has 18+ years of management and process improvement experience and 14+ years of experience working with student information systems, financial... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 8:30am - 9:00am EDT
Compass Rose West & South

General

9:00am EDT

Federal Update & All That Jazz

This has been a busy year which included negotiated rule-making, some final regulations, the 1st steps in overhauling the FSA system for FAFSA Simplification, Biden’s initiative for reducing student loan debt, and much more. Join us for this informative Federal Update.

Speakers

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame

Sally is one of the country’s leading authorities on Federal financial aid administration with 41 years of “in the trenches” experience. As a respected Industry leader, she is frequently called upon to speak at School, Accrediting, Regional and State conferences as well as... Read More →

Tom Netting

CEO, TEN Government Strategies

Tom Netting has more than 30 years of experience working in government relations and public policy and has established himself as a leader in strategic policy development and advocacy in the fields of higher education and workforce development, elementary and secondary education... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Compass Rose West & South

Financial Aid

9:00am EDT

Focus on Technology Center

Stop in for a detailed look at specific modules, features, or reports in Freedom, Freedom Fin Aid, Advantage & Advantage Fin Aid, Attendance Tracker, Admissions Plus, Student Mobile App, and Document Tracker applications.

Speakers

Steven Pabom

Product Manager, Fame

Steven is at the forefront of driving the overall product strategy for Fame, overseeing a diverse portfolio of products. With a remarkable 20 years in the Higher Education industry, Steven brings an extensive background in financial aid, boasting over 18 years of knowledge and expertise.Steven... Read More →

Rick Rosado

Sales Manager, Fame

Rick Rosado has been a member of the Fame Sales Team since 2009 and brings 20+ years of past experience in the Higher Education Sector. He holds an Associate Degree in Business Computer Programming. He has held the positions of Admissions Director, Registrar, Financial Aid Director... Read More →

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 9:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Fins Left

Technology

10:00am EDT

Break with Partners

Monday April 24, 2023 10:00am - 10:30am EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

10:30am EDT

Don't Get Behind the Eightball - Verification Update

In this session, we will define each verification group for the 23-24 Award Year and determine which documentation is needed and acceptable to conduct verification. We will also discuss when it is necessary to make a correction or an update to an ISIR when a student has been selected for verification.

Speakers

Christal Carson

Software & Financial Aid Trainer, Fame

Christal Carson brings the knowledge and experience from our Customer Service and Financial Aid Processing teams to her latest role on our Training team at Fame. She has 13 years of experience in the Financial Aid field with an extensive focus on Title IV Regulatory matters including... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Compass Rose West

Financial Aid

10:30am EDT

TikTok & Organic Strategies for Schools

We recently put together the ultimate guide to TikTok for Schools that we’d like to share. Learners will walk away with solid organic and ads strategies, including knowing how to protect your brand with a business account and the advantages of one. We’ll discuss 23 dos and 11 don’ts of TikTok for schools, as well as an ads strategy where you get to use your student’s and staff’s great content (user generated content) as ads to attract leads and impressions at half the cost of the other major social media platforms!

Speakers

Chris Lindford

CEO, Oozle Media

Chris is the CEO of Oozle Media, an online marketing agency who specializes in helping schools own their markets online. Chris is also the co-founder of Beauty as a Business, who partnered with Pivot Point and Milady to provide social media curriculum to many thousands of hair and... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Compass Rose South

Management

10:30am EDT

Best of the Best Advantage SIS

In this session, you will learn about the benefits of using our flagship SIS application. You will also receive updates regarding enhancements and new features as well as a peek into the future of Advantage SIS

Speakers

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

11:30am EDT

The Bee's Knees, How To Handle Books/kits/Supplies

Are your books/kits/tools and other supplies considered institutional charges? Have you been miscalculating your cost of attendance, R2T4s and possibly posting the charges incorrectly? Not sure why it makes a difference or if these charges are handled correctly? This session will help you understand the proper way to handle them, once and for all.

Speakers

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Financial Aid

11:30am EDT

Don't Get The Heebie Jeebies, How to Calculate 90/10

Now that the “official list” of what is considered federal aid, is out, Ron can show you how this may impact your 90/10 calculation and offer some possible solutions to consider going forward.

Speakers

Ron Holt

Attorney, ROUSE FRETS WHITE GOSS GENTILE RHODES, P.C

Ron brings 41 years of experience in a broad range of commercial and general litigation matters in various industries regionally and across the country. He has a national practice representing institutions of higher learning in litigation, regulatory matters and business transactions... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Management

11:30am EDT

The Bee's Knees - Advantage Fin Aid

In this session, you will learn about the benefits of using our flagship FinAid application. You will also receive updates regarding enhancements and new features as well as a peek into the future of Advantage FinAid

Speakers

Steven Pabom

Product Manager, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

12:30pm EDT

Lunch is Served

Monday April 24, 2023 12:30pm - 1:30pm EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

1:30pm EDT

Rejects Whoopee! Why do They Happen?

This session will focus on the most common Direct Loan reject codes, why they happen and what needs to be done to clear them.

Speakers

Carolyn Melton

Client Solutions Manager, Fame

Carolyn has been in the higher education sector for 22 years. Carolyn served as Director of Financial Aid prior to her finding a position in the Consulting Services Department at Fame. She now brings her extensive knowledge of ESP, Advantage FinAid, Freedom, Freedom FinAid, and APFAM... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

1:30pm EDT

Prohibition on Hackers, Cybersecurity Compliance

Cybersecurity is still a hot topic, with more businesses and schools being targeted daily. Find out what the FTC requires of you on June 9, 2023, and how to protect your school.

Speakers

Brandon Sherman

Of Counsel, Saul Ewing

Brandon's unique perspectives come from his time at the U.S. Department of Education and experience in the private sector.Brandon’s practice focuses on advising institutions of higher education, accrediting agencies, and education investors on a wide range of legal and compliance... Read More →

FAME Cybersecurity 2023 Final v2 pptx

Monday April 24, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

1:30pm EDT

A Perfect Pair: Enhancing Efficiency in Business Operations with GuestVision POS & FAME

To continuously improve operational efficiency, schools have the opportunity to focus on leveraging technology and automation to improve the guest experience, maximize efficiencies while supporting the overall goal of building a strong reputation as a premier cosmetology school that delivers great service in a timely fashion. Paul will also debut GuestVision’s Level Sheets, a new first in the industry POS feature and detail an ease-of-use integration with FAME.

Speakers

Paul Pagliaro

CEO, GuestVision

As a strategic leader, Paul Pagliaro has held various roles within the parent company of GuestVision School Software, Jonas Software Inc., from Director Mergers and Acquisitions, VP Strategic Initiatives within a portfolio of 7 vertical market software companies as well as CEO of... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

2:30pm EDT

Speak Easy when you Respond to a Finding

Have a finding? Now what? Come learn the importance of what it takes to develop a program review and/or audit response and the importance of following through with the plan.

Speakers

Ibis Vento Chow

Consulting Services Manager, Fame

Ibis Vento received her Bachelor's and Master of Science in Business Administration from Nova Southeastern University. Since joining the higher education industry in 2002, she has attained a myriad of experiences and extensive financial aid knowledge within her different roles. She... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

2:30pm EDT

Don't be a Wise Guy be Jobwise

School accreditation can be challenging. In the past, schools have used spreadsheets, manual text messages, and lots of emails to reach out to see if students got a job. Learn best practices with job placement tracking, and using free tools save 50 – 75% of the time spent historically on tracking needed for accreditation. Also, learn to leverage free online job board technology and text message matching to better place students in a career.

Speakers

Ben Zimmer

Job Wise

Ben is founder and CEO of JobWise, the leading operating system for career services and placement for career colleges. JobWise cuts time spent with tracking job placement by 50 - 75% and provides a powerful job board and text message matching tool which is 30X more effective than... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

2:30pm EDT

Keen Practices with Freedom SIS

In this session, you will learn steps on how to navigate in Freedom more efficiently and generate reports which will produce results. We will discuss Freedom best practices and new enhancements to the application, enabling you to optimize the system functions that will save time and assure positive outcomes for your students.

Speakers

Christal Carson

Software & Financial Aid Trainer, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

3:30pm EDT

Break with Partners

Monday April 24, 2023 3:30pm - 4:00pm EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

4:00pm EDT

Swell Financial Aid Calendar

This presentation will provide an overview of the various reports due tincluding but not limited to FAME reports that are due throughout the year. The session is recommended and designed for all Title IV eligible clients or those awaiting eligibility determination and approval.

Speakers

Carolyn Melton

Client Solutions Manager, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

4:00pm EDT

The Real McCoy- Audit Panel

Our expert audit panel will be sharing real audit problems, their knowledge, and what to expect over the next audit period.

Speakers

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame

Joe Knutte

Advisor, Sikich

Joe Knutte was a Partner at Knutte & Associates for 28 years, with experience in tax, audit, and advisory services. His primary service is audits, with a focus on post-secondary education. In January of 2019, Knutte joined forces with Sikich LLP to offer expanded resources to clients... Read More →

Eileen Keller

Partner, SST Accountants & Consultants

Eileen has 25 years of public accounting experience and is nationally known for her specialization in audit and accounting services for career schools and colleges. In addition to her role as partner, she serves as the firm’s director of career services overseeing the management... Read More →

Luke Hoey

Audit Manager, McClintock & Associates

Luke joined McClintock & Associates in 2013 and is a Manager in the firm’s Audit Practice, working extensively with clients in the postsecondary school industry. Prior to joining McClintock & Associates, Luke worked within the Financial Services department at a 4-year for-profit... Read More →

Monday April 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

4:00pm EDT

Freedom Fin Aid How Toos!

In this session, we will cover how to complete Financial Award Offers efficiently, the associated reports and tasks which need to be completed to request and disburse funding. We will discuss Apfam & Freedom Finaid best practices and new enhancements to the application, enabling you to optimize the system functions that will save time and assure positive outcomes for your students.

Speakers

Christal Carson

Software & Financial Aid Trainer, Fame

Monday April 24, 2023 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

5:30pm EDT

Welcome Roaring Twenties Reception

Best dressed gets a special prize!

Monday April 24, 2023 5:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
License to Chill Pool Deck

Food/Break

8:00am EDT

Breakfast Served

Tuesday April 25, 2023 8:00am - 9:00am EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

8:00am EDT

Registration Desk Open

Tuesday April 25, 2023 8:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Registration Desk

General

9:00am EDT

Housekeeping Notes

Speakers

Julia Brown

VP Sales & Market Development, FAME

Tuesday April 25, 2023 9:00am - 9:30am EDT
Compass Rose West & South

General

9:00am EDT

Focus on Technology Center

Speakers

Steven Pabom

Product Manager, Fame

Rick Rosado

Sales Manager, Fame

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 9:00am - 4:00pm EDT
Fins Left

Technology

9:30am EDT

Swanky Policies and Procedures Manual

Where is that policy? Uncertain if your school has the right policies in place? Join us for an in-depth discussion of the policies your school should have.

Speakers

Ibis Vento Chow

Consulting Services Manager, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

9:30am EDT

Hotsy-Totsy Washington-What's Happening on the Hill

What “sockdollagers” await us this year as a split-Congress attempts to discuss and pass legislation? Is there a compromise to be found on the development of a new Workforce Pell Grant program for short-term Pell Grants? What about broader HEA reforms? Or will the focus be on WIOA? Catch the skinny on all of these questions and more during this interactive session.

Speakers

Tom Netting

CEO, TEN Government Strategies

Tuesday April 25, 2023 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

9:30am EDT

The Cat's Meow - New FAME Applications

This session will cover our new FAME applications including future projects and partnerships.

Speakers

Steven Pabom

Product Manager, Fame

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

10:30am EDT

Coffee Break with Partners

Tuesday April 25, 2023 10:30am - 11:00am EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

11:00am EDT

Ain't Misbehaving-Avoiding R2T4 Pitfalls

R2T4’s continue to be in the top 5 program review and audit findings. This R2T4 session will discuss the fundamental principles behind the calculation and focus on avoiding the most common mistakes.

Speakers

Carolyn Melton

Client Solutions Manager, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

11:00am EDT

FASFA Simplification- What To Expect

There are major changes coming in the 2024-2025 award year on how Pell Grant eligibility will be calculated. The EFC will change to an SAI and FSA’s antiquated system is going through a complete overhaul. Make sure you attend this session to understand what to expect in the next year.

Speakers

Sally Samuels

Director of Compliance, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

11:00am EDT

Repeat: Keen Practices with Freedom SIS

Speakers

Christal Carson

Software & Financial Aid Trainer, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 11:00am - 12:00pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

12:00pm EDT

Lunch is Served

Tuesday April 25, 2023 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
One Particular Harbour

Food/Break

1:00pm EDT

Don't Go Off the Track Understand the Cleary Act

Campus safety and security is critically important to school operations, and regulatory compliance can be a challenge. This session will address the compliance requirements under the Clery Act and Title IX and best practices for staying on top of these issues.

Speakers

Chris DeLuca

Founder, DeLuca Law LLC

Chris DeLuca is the founder of DeLuca Law LLC, and Of Counsel with Rouse Frets Gentile Rhodes, LLC. Chris has over 25 years of experience providing legal, financial and management services to school administrators and business owners. In addition to being a licensed attorney, Chris... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

1:00pm EDT

AACS Update

Speakers

Cecil Kidd

Executive Director, AACS

Cecil Kidd serves as the Executive Director of the American Association of Cosmetology Schools (AACS), the premier association representing beauty and wellness institutions across the country. Kidd has significant experience as a leader in the areas of association management, postsecondary... Read More →

Tuesday April 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

1:00pm EDT

Repeat: Freedom Fin Aid HowToos!

Speakers

Christal Carson

Software & Financial Aid Trainer, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

2:00pm EDT

No Shenanigans- Disclosure & Reporting Requirements

Let's talk consumer information, are you sharing and disseminating information in the format and timeframe required?

Speakers

Ibis Vento Chow

Consulting Services Manager, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

2:00pm EDT

CEO/Owners Forum

This is an open discussion with school owners about the biggest challenges they face today or in the near future and what process changes, technology improvements, and/or additional services are required to overcome those challenges.

Speakers

Ricky Alfaro

General Manager, CEO, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Fins Right

Management

2:00pm EDT

Repeat Session: Best of the Best Advantage SIS

Speakers

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 2:00pm - 3:00pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology

3:00pm EDT

Financial Aid Trivia

The Financial Aid Trivia game is a fun way to end the conference, test your knowledge and remind you of things you may have forgotten over the years. The winning team will get a prize!

Tuesday April 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Compass Rose South

Financial Aid

3:00pm EDT

Know Your Onions – What’s the Latest on the Remaining 2022 NPRMs & Proposed 2023 Neg Reg

Don’t be a “dewdropper” and Tom will try not to be a “wurp” as he shares the latest information on the status of the outstanding 2020-2021 Federal Negotiated Rulemaking topics and the new topics the Department is preparing to negotiate beginning this Fall.

Speakers

Tom Netting

CEO, TEN Government Strategies

Tuesday April 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Compass Rose West

Management

3:00pm EDT

Technology Q & A

In this session, you can ask our Product Expert Panel about best practices and tips regarding our FAME applications.

Speakers

Steven Pabom

Product Manager, Fame

Joseph Gonzalez

Director of Development, Fame

Tuesday April 25, 2023 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Hemisphere Dancer

Technology