1. What is the date and location of the annual Federal Student Aid Training Conference (FSATC)?

2. Why does it take so long for FSA to announce the conference date and location?

3. Why is there only one conference?

4. When does registration open and close?

5. How do I register and what is the cost to register for the FSATC?

6. How do I cancel or change my registration?

7. Why is the annual conference scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving?

8. Are meals, snacks, drinks, and coffee provided?

9. How do I reserve a sleeping room?

10. How do I find the training sessions offered and the agenda?

11. Why can't I sit on the floor or stand in the back of the session rooms?

11. What conference materials will I receive?

13. I need proof of attendance. Does FSA offer any Continuing Education Units/Credits or Certificates?

14. What is the dress code?

15. Can I print my boarding pass?

16. I am a member of the press, how do I register?

17. Can I register in advance for sessions?

18. Why is the 2018 conference on the East Coast again? I thought FSA rotated the conferences between East and West Coast.

19. My question is still not answered. Now what?

1. What is the date and location of the annual Federal Student Aid Training Conference (FSATC)?
The 2018 FSATC will be held from Nov. 27 to Nov. 30, 2018 at the Georgia World Congress Center (GWCC) in Atlanta, Georgia.

For planning your attendance at future conferences, the annual conference is held the week after Thanksgiving from Tuesday to Friday.

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2. Why does it take so long for FSA to announce the conference date and location?
Changes relating to contract procurements and the budget affect the length of the process. Once the process begins it takes approximately three months to complete.

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3. Why is there only one conference?
There is only one conference because of reduced federal funds, restrictions on government conferences, and reduced government travel budgets.

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4. When does registration open and close?
It is FSA's goal to open registration six to eight months prior to the conference. Registration will close Friday, Nov. 30, 2018.

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5. How do I register and what is the cost to register for the FSATC?
Visit the FSATC registration page. There is no cost to register, however you are responsible to pay for your own lodging, meals, and travel expenses.

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6. How do I cancel or change my registration?
To cancel or change your registration, please locate your confirmation email you received when you registered and click on the modify registration link. Enter your confirmation number to modify or cancel your registration. If you are unable to locate your confirmation email, please contact us.
Additionally, if you have registered but can no longer attend, please cancel your registration. If someone wants to attend in your place, have them register too as this will expedite the check-in process on-site at the conference.

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7. Why is the annual conference scheduled for the week after Thanksgiving?
FSA acquires meeting space during an off-peak week when it can typically get the best value. Typically, fewer conferences are booked this week and venues are more willing to provide better discounts. Additionally, securing this week prevents FSA from conflicting with other student aid industry conferences.

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8. Are meals, snacks, or drinks and coffee provided?
Federal regulations prohibit FSA from using federally appropriated funds to provide food and beverage at conferences. You will be able to purchase meals, snacks, drinks and coffee at and near the conference venue. FSA recommends bringing your own snacks and utilizing surrounding eating establishments.

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9. How do I reserve a sleeping room? How do I cancel or modify my sleeping room once booked?
Please refer to the FSATC's lodging section of this website for instructions.

Please review the hotel's changes and cancellations policies carefully.

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10. How do I find the training sessions offered and the agenda?
Please visit the Sessions & Agenda page. FSA will post a draft training session list by the end of August and a more detailed list in September. A final agenda will be posted in October once sessions have been finalized.

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11. Why can't I sit on the floor or stand in the back of the session rooms?
You cannot sit on the floor or stand in the back of the room due to local fire marshal laws. FSA appreciates your cooperation of not standing or sitting in the back or sides of session rooms. Fire marshals are primarily concerned about your safety. Attendees must be seated or conference could be shut down for non-compliance of the law.

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12. What conference materials will I receive?
You will receive a conference program and agenda. There will also be presentation and other reference materials on the Downloadable Conference Materials to print and bring with you. Be sure to bring a bag for your materials. Perhaps recycle an old conference bag!

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13. I need proof of attendance. Does FSA offer Continuing Education Units/Credits or Certificates?
No, FSA does not offer continuing education credits. For proof of attendance, FSA recommends using your registration confirmation e-mail, conference badge, or conference materials.

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14. What is the dress code?
Business causal is recommended. You may want comfortable shoes and a jacket or sweater for air-conditioned rooms.

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15. Can I print my boarding pass?
Yes, you can print your boarding pass in the hotel lobby or at the FSA on-site registration desk on the last two days of the conference, Thursday and Friday.

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16. I am a member of the press, how do I register?
If you are a credentialed media reporter, please e-mail fsaconferences@ed.gov or call 202-377-3633. Then, sign in at the on-site registration desk the day of the conference.

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17. Can I register in advance for sessions?
No, you cannot register in advance for sessions. We recommend that you arrive to sessions 15 minutes in advance. All session availability is on a first come first serve basis.

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18. Why is the 2018 Conference on the East Coast again? I thought FSA rotated the conferences between East and West Coast.
Administrative and Presidential Orders have all contributed to more complex and lengthy site selection and approval processes. Currently rules prohibit FSA from starting site selection more than 14 months prior to the conference. With a conference our size, there are few locations that have availability so close to the event timeframe. While we strive to rotate the conference location from East to West Coast each year when we conducted site selection for the 2017 conference, there was no availability at any central or west location that could accommodate our conference requirements. Therefore, FSA had to expand the search to the East Coast in order to be able to conduct the conference. We were grateful to have the opportunity to continue to have the conference in Orlando, FL. 2018 was planned to be an East Coast year and the venue had already been selected. We are currently conducting site selection for 2019 and we are hopeful to return to the West Coast.

19. My question is still not answered. Now what?
Please e-mail fsaconferences@ed.gov or call 202-377-3633 to speak with a conference staff member.

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