W director of financial aid, Nicole Patrick, receives FAAC® designation
Mississippi University for Women director of financial aid Nicole Patrick has been awarded the designation of Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC®) by the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).
“I am excited to receive the NASFAA Certified Financial Aid Administrator distinction. This certification will add value to our office and our institution, as well as benefit my career in Financial Aid. Financial Aid Administrators have an important role in the institution’s overall success, and this certification adds a layer of credibility,” said Patrick.
To earn the FAAC® designation, professionals must demonstrate sufficient industry-related experience, successfully pass a comprehensive knowledge exam and affirm commitment to the standards for ethical behavior that are a hallmark of the financial aid profession. Patrick’s achievement of this certification serves as a testament to her commitment to the profession and the University’s student population.
In 2022, Patrick also received the Mississippi Association Student Financial Aid Administrators’ (MASFAA) Jack Woodward Award of Excellence, which recognizes excellence in the field of financial aid administration. The Executive Board of the Jack Woodward Award of Excellence evaluated nominees based on their involvement, leadership, knowledge and experience, contributions, cooperative and professional behavior, commitment and service.
Patrick has served as the secretary for the Southern Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (SASFAA) since 2022. She has previously held the positions of vice president, president-elect and president of the Mississippi Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, an organization of approximately 240 state professionals.
Patrick is a 2004 graduate of The W and has served as the director of financial aid since June 2013. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science Degree in College Student Development from the University of West Alabama.
The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) is the only national, nonprofit association with a primary focus on information dissemination, professional development, and legislative and regulatory analysis related to federal student aid programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended. NASFAA member institutions serve nine out of every 10 undergraduates in the United States.