Awards and Recognitions


OASFAA New Professional Award

The OASFAA New Professional Award was established in the 2022-23 year to recognize the outstanding contributions of financial aid professionals early in their careers. Nominees must be members of OASFAA and must have five years of financial aid experience or less. To nominate an OASFAA member, submit the nomination form by the posted deadline. Nominations should include statements about the nominee’s contributions to the institution/workplace, community, and/or OASFAA with potential for continued success in the profession. Self-nominations will be accepted. Final selection is made by the review panel, consisting of the current OASFAA President, President-Elect, and Past-President. The award will be bestowed at the annual OASFAA Conference.

Alex Murdoch Service Award

The Alex Murdoch Service Award was established in 1999 to honor Alex, Associate Director of Financial Aid at University of Cincinnati, when he retired that year. The honor, first announced at Winter Conference 1999 as a tribute to Alex, is awarded annually to a member of OASFAA who has given outstanding service to OASFAA and its members. The recipient's convictions and loyalty to OASFAA, have made it a better organization through their efforts and many contributions.

Distinguished Service Award

The Distinguished Service Award was created in 1985. The award is reserved for an OASFAA member who has provided devoted and unselfish service in furthering the progress, aims and ideals of OASFAA , MASFAA and NASFAA supporting the entire financial aid community.

James W. White Award

The James W. White Award honors James White, Director of Financial Aid at Oberlin College, when he retired in 1990. The award, first presented at Spring Conference 1991, is given annually to a member of OASFAA who exemplifies the dedication to students, to the aid community, and to the recipient's local community-qualities that were so evident in Jim's career as a financial aid professional.

Support Professional Award

The Support Professional Award, initiated in 1990, recognizes an individual or team of support/clerical professionals reporting to an OASFAA member. Nominations are submitted to the Support Professional Committee and the award is made at Spring Conference. The recipient exemplifies a strong commitment to the student, institution for which they work, and the financial aid profession.

Due to the changing landscape of financial aid office staffing, the Support Professional Award has been discontinued.

Alan M. Donley Chair in Need Analysis - Recognition Highlights

State Leadership Award

The State Leadership Award is presented annually to recognize the outstanding leadership of a member from each of the 9 states within MASFAA. The recipients, who must be current MASFAA members, must have made outstanding contributions to the financial aid profession at the state and regional levels over a sustained period of time, i.e., seven years or more. Leadership at the regional level is not the only criterion for this award, and the selection process will not be limited to current state elected leaders. The individuals selected for this award must: exhibit high integrity and character; have shown creative leadership; have inspired and encouraged others to participate actively in professional development activities; have sustained active involvement in professional organizations, and have supported the goals and objectives of MASFAA.

Lifetime Membership

Lifetime Membership to OASFAA is limited to those individuals who served the Ohio Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, and the financial aid profession with distinction for a significant period of time. This honor is intended to recognize a member at the end of a career devoted to the administration of student financial aid. Lifetime members are non-voting members of the association. To be considered for Lifetime Membership, an individual must be nominated by a current member of the association. The Association Governance and Planning Committee is responsible for gathering information on the nominee's contributions and presenting their findings to the Trustees. Lifetime Membership will be confirmed by a majority vote of the Trustees.