irs program accomplishments · form 990 part iii · fy2024
What they reported doing
- #1 primary $8KSCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
- #2 $0TO PROVIDE AN OPPORTUNITY FOR STUDENTS, PARENTS, AND GUARDIANS TO OBTAIN FREE AND PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE IN COMPLETING FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION FORMS.
named programs · 4 · from sources
What they call their work
Annual Conference
Organizes and executes a statewide conference for financial aid professionals, including educational sessions, networking events, and award ceremonies.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Initiative
Ensures NYSFAAA is a safe and inclusive organization through training, programming, and policy review related to DEI principles.
Early Awareness Program
Provides public education on college savings and financial aid options for children and parents to promote early planning.
George Chin Scholarship Program
Administers a scholarship program that awards funds to students, with applications disseminated to institutions across New York State.
activities · 10 groups
What they do
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Multi-Institution Scholarship Funding 1 activity
- Administers scholarship program for New York State studentsAwards annual scholarships totaling $7,500 to five students across institutional categories and has awarded scholarships to over 100 students from member institutions over 25 years. Disseminates scholarship information and applications to all institutions of higher education in New York State, reviews applications, selects recipients, and announces awardees.
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Education Policy Advocacy & Reform 1 activity
- Conducts advocacy on state and federal financial aid policyMonitors and responds to federal and state legislative and regulatory developments including FAFSA implementation, Gainful Employment rules, and Tuition Assistance Program (TAP). Submits letters to Congress and the U.S. Secretary of Education, testifies before the NYS Assembly, co-signs joint statements, and coordinates regional awareness efforts.
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Fundraising for Community and Charitable Initiatives 1 activity
- Conducts fundraising to support association initiativesDevelops donor relationships, solicits sponsorships and donations, manages financial stewardship of contributions, and supports growth of the scholarship fund through coordinated fundraising activities.
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Regional Chapter Network Support 1 activity
- Facilitates regional structure and localized operationsOrganizes membership into eight geographic regions to deliver localized news and services. Supports Regional Representatives and Treasurers, collects standardized data from Region 2, maintains formal policies for Region 2, and develops draft procedures for Region 3.
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Professional Conference & Symposium Organization 1 activity
- Hosts annual conference for financial aid professionalsPlans, organizes, and executes an annual conference featuring sessions on regulatory updates, best practices, wellness, and networking. The 2026 event is scheduled for October 27–29 in Albany, New York, with multiple committees managing site selection, scheduling, registration, and reporting.
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Student Support and Academic Services 1 activity
- Offers direct assistance with financial aid applicationsProvides free, professional help to students, parents, and guardians in completing financial aid forms such as FAFSA and TAP, and conducts outreach activities to increase awareness of college savings and financial aid opportunities.
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Mentorship and Professional Development Programs 1 activity
- Provides professional development and training for financial aid administratorsOrganizes, sponsors, and delivers professional training including the NOVICE 2026 program, webinars on FAFSA/TAP cycles, federal guidance, and specialized topics like verification and packaging. Offers mentoring, consultation, and intensive curricula for new financial aid personnel across New York State.
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Organization Website and Online Platform Management 1 activity
- Provides public and member-facing information resourcesProduces and maintains 'The NYSFAAA Connection WebLetter', manages a comprehensive website, oversees online registration and payment systems, and provides up-to-date information to members, students, families, and guidance counselors about financial aid programs, application processes, and system changes.
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Recognition and Awards Programs 1 activity
- Recognizes contributions to the financial aid professionAdministers an awards program that honors members and non-members for service, leadership, and advancement of the financial aid field. Selects recipients for state and regional Achievement and Service Awards, including named honors such as the Father Joseph Dunne and Mr. Thomas Monahan Service Awards, and presents them at the annual conference.
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Organizational Governance & Leadership Development 1 activity
- Supports organizational governance through committee operationsProvides leadership and operational support to standing committees including Government Relations, Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Finance, Audit & Budget, Elections & Nominations, Membership, Mentoring, Awards, Conference, and others to advance governance, ethics, elections, financial oversight, and strategic planning.
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financials · form 990 · fy2024
revenue
Total revenue$210K
Contributions & grants$75K36%
Program service revenue$131K62%
Investment income$4K2%
Other revenue$0
expenses
Total expenses$276K
Program expenses60%
Admin / overhead40%
Fundraising0%
Salaries & benefits$0
Grants paid out$8K
Largest expense lineProfessional Fees
balance sheet
Total assets$1.16M
Cash$319K
Investments$776K
Liabilities$30K
Net assets$1.13M
Liquid reserves47.6 mo
7 years on record · 2018–2024 · YoY revenue -10.0%
leadership · form 990 part vii · fy2024
Who runs it
board members · 15
- DANIELLA ZAJA — 1ST VP
- DANIELLE CONWAY — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- DANIELLE COOPER — TREASURER
- ERICA FOLLICK — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- HALI CONRAD — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- JANICE HILBRINK — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- JOE WEGLARZ — PAST TREASURER
- KAROLINA HOLL — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- KERI EDSALL — SECRETARY
- MELISSA VARGAS — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- NICOLE ADNER — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- PATTI BEERS — PAST PRESIDENT
- RICK COLE — EXECUTIVE COUNCIL
- ROBERT ZASSO — PRESIDENT
- SEAN SHERWOOD — 2ND VP
relationships · 37
Who they work with
- Albany Marriott Partner — Host venue for the NYSFAAA Annual Conference 2026.
- Albany Medical College Partner — Andrea Wedler from Albany Medical College serves as Treasurer for Region 4.
- Alfred State Partner — Employer of Secretary Keri Edsall and institutional affiliate within the association's leadership structure.
- Association of Private Colleges (APC) Partner — Co-chaired by Donna Gurnett, President of APC, indicating a leadership partnership in the Government Relations Committee.
- Binghamton University Partner — Employer of 2nd Vice President Sean Sherwood and institutional affiliate within the association's leadership structure.
- City University of New York (CUNY) Partner — Walter Velas from City University of New York (CUNY) serves as Secretary for Region 6.
- Colin Ryan Partner — Featured as keynote speaker at the 2026 annual conference.
- Columbia School of International and Public Affairs Partner — Quintin Sipp from Columbia School of International and Public Affairs serves as Co-Chair for Region 6.
- EASFAA Partner — Collaborated on a joint advocacy letter to Congress regarding GE/FVT reporting requirements.
- Eastern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators Network — Serves as a liaison between NYSFAAA and the regional EASFAA association.
- Excelsior University Partner — Danielle Conway from Excelsior University serves as Chair and Council Representative for Region 4.
- Fulton-Montgomery Community College Partner — Rebecca Cozzocrea from Fulton-Montgomery Community College serves as Secretary for Region 4.
- HESC Partner — Co-hosted a high school counselor workshop on financial aid with NYSFAAA on January 30, 2025.
- Hilton Garden Inn Troy Partner — Hosted the NOVICE 2026 training event.
- IRS Government — Files IRS Form 990 as a tax-exempt organization
- Inceptia Partner — Tami Gilbeaux, Strategic Business Director at Inceptia, chairs the Development Committee, indicating an institutional partnership in fundraising.
- Internal Revenue Service Government — Complies with IRS regulations under Section 501(c)(3) and related tax codes as a condition of tax-exempt status.
- Manhattanville University Partner — Julann Schwarz from Manhattanville University serves as Treasurer for Region 5.
- Marist University Partner — Scott Khare from Marist University serves as Co-Chair for Region 5.
- Mount Saint Mary College Partner — Lorena Rengifo from Mount Saint Mary College serves as Membership Chair for Region 5.
- Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing Partner — Dr. Melissa Vargas from Mount Sinai Phillips School of Nursing serves as Council Representative for Region 6.
- NYS Higher Education Services Corporation Partner — Collaborates with NYSFAAA to offer virtual financial aid workshops and drop-in support services.
- NYSFAAA Network — Member institutions participate in the scholarship program through nominations by financial aid administrators.
- NYU Partner — Employer of Treasurer Danielle Cooper and institutional affiliate within the association's leadership structure.
- National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators Network — Recognizes and supports NASFAA's Statement of Ethical Principles and Code of Conduct; serves as a state-level affiliate.
- New York University Tandon Partner — Jeffrey Louis-Jean from New York University Tandon serves as Co-Chair for Region 6.
- Pace University Partner — Dan Robinson from Pace University serves as Council Representative for Region 5.
- SUNY Partner — Partners with NYSFAAA to deliver virtual FAFSA completion and financial aid education workshops.
- SUNY Corning Community College Partner — Employer of Treasurer Assistant Shalena Clary and institutional affiliate within the association's leadership structure.
- SUNY Dutchess Community College Partner — Employer of President Rob Zasso and institutional affiliate within the association's leadership structure.
+ 7 more
strategies · 3
How they approach the work
Named approaches extracted from this org’s sources. Where others share an approach, follow it to see the full set of orgs running it.
- Equity-Centered Institutional Inclusionmethodology: equity_centered_inclusionBy distributing scholarships and leadership opportunities across diverse institutional types and prioritizing diversity in representation, the organization ensures equitable access to professional growth and advocacy platforms, because structural inclusion of varied sectors and identities strengthens systemic fairness and organizational legitimacy.
- Policy Advocacy Through Member Representationmethodology: member_driven_advocacyBy engaging members in government relations committees and representing financial aid professionals in state and national policy discussions, the organization influences policies to improve equity and access in student financial aid, because direct practitioner input leads to more effective and grounded policy outcomes.
- Volunteer-Powered Professional Development and Service Deliverymethodology: peer_powered_learningBy leveraging a volunteer network of financial aid professionals across committees, training programs, and support services, the organization builds capacity, ensures peer-relevant content delivery, and sustains operations, because peer-led engagement increases credibility, skill transfer, and professional ownership.