Agenda

Welcome
Dr. Tisa Silver Canady, Founder and Executive Director, Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness (MCCFW)

Opening Remarks
Honorable Brooke Lierman, Comptroller of Maryland
Dr. Sanjay K. Rai, Secretary of Higher Education, State of Maryland
Dr. Heidi M. Anderson, President, University of Maryland Eastern Shore

General Session 1
The Pivot to Promote Stability When Things Get Complicated
Federal financial aid is a critical source of funding for higher education. The FAFSA Simplification Act of 2019 has expanded access and eligibility to aid. The road to expansion and simplification presented some traffic, delays, and outright barriers. In this session, hear directly from financial aid leaders about the strategic steps they have taken to promote stability for students and families, while working simultaneously to resolve the challenges. 

• Al Dorsett, Director, Office of Student Financial Assistance, Maryland Higher Education Commission

• Jackie Cottom, Compliance Specialist and Webinar Producer, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators

General Session 2
The Road to Zero: Creating a Pathway to Financial Wellness from Prince George’s County to Baltimore City
We have all heard about the teachers, nurses, and firefighters who the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program was designed to help. But what does reaching them look like in real life? In 2023, MCCFW launched the Know More Owe Less Project in Prince George’s County and Baltimore City to help public servants achieve PSLF as a means to improve overall wellness and achieve financial freedom. In this panel, we will discuss why these two locales are at the forefront and how MCCFW’s “boots on the ground” approach has delivered millions of dollars in relief.

• Honorable John Sarbanes, U.S. Congressman, Maryland

• Robin McKinney, MSW, Co-Founder and CEO, CASH Campaign of Maryland

• Amy Czulada, Outreach and Advocacy Manager, Student Borrower Protection Center

• Melanie Mason, MS, MBA, Director of Programs and Administration, Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness

Breakout Sessions

Session 1
Peer-to-Peer Programs: Building a Financial Education Program that Works
Facilitated by Gilbert D. Rogers, EdD, AFC, Director of Financial Wellbeing, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
P2P financial education programs present a promising option for improving student financial capability and wellness. Learn the hallmarks of successful P2P financial education programs including critical elements such as training, structure, and funding.

Session 2
Getting Graduates in GEAR: Enhancing the Student Loan Exit Experience
Facilitated by Jason Calhoun, Director of Campus and Community Partnerships, Maryland Center for Collegiate Financial Wellness
Students with loan repayment questions are often directed to their loan servicers but the service they receive doesn’t often address the need for a personalized strategy. How can we give graduates and exiting students a head start on strategic repayment? MCCFW is building the GEARS (Graduate, Exit And Repayment Strategies) Program to meet the need, and we want your input as we finalize our solutions.

General Session 3
Community Engagement: Putting the Spotlight on Financial Literacy
Nicole Johnson, Regional Public Engagement Officer, Comptroller of Maryland
The Office of the Comptroller recently established the Financial Literacy Advisory Council, bringing together key stakeholder groups, policy experts, and community partners to advise the agency on strategic goals, policy direction, and new initiatives. Learn more about the advisory council and broader efforts to increase the financial capability of Maryland’s residents.

Closing Remarks
Dr. Tisa Silver Canady, MCCFW