Being the go-to resource for students on financial aid can be an overwhelming, high-stakes task with momentous implications for each student's future. New changes to the financial aid process highlight the urgency and opportunity for high-quality training. uAspire and MCAN are excited to offer, for the third year, best-in-class training, support, and tools to better position practitioners to meet the unique needs of all Michigan students.

This certification opportunity is open to school counselors, college advisers, success coaches, community-based organization staff, and other college access and success providers. Seats in this training are reserved exclusively for people working in the state of Michigan.

Course Details

To earn the certification and be recognized as a Certified FAFSA Specialist, registrants will participate in a series of seven virtual training sessions and complete quizzes about financial aid and the FAFSA completion process.

Completion of FAFSA Specialist Certification
FAFSA Specialist certification is available by completing live virtual training or watching training session recordings; you may register for the training sessions throughout the year. Registrants after Sept. 7, 2026, will be added to the training on rolling monthly basis. If you don't care about earning the certification, you can still view all individual session recordings for the information and SCECH credit. Recordings will be posted on this page after they occur. 

What Does it Mean to Earn the Certification? 
Upon successful completion of all training components, participants will receive a certificate of completion, social media assets, and other elements of recognition in addition to earning SCECHs. You will also be regarded as a FAFSA specialist to support the training of others, when needed.

Training Requirements
Participants must attend seven virtual training sessions to complete the certification, each being up to 1.5 hours long. These sessions will only be offered live once each. If registrants cannot attend the live sessions, they can still watch the recordings, review, and take a quiz to receive credit. To earn the badge, all participants must complete and pass the quizzes. 

How to Access Training Sessions, Recordings, and Quizzes 
Virtual meeting information for each session will be provided to registrants via email. It will also be available via a LearnWorlds course through the MCAN Professional Development Hub, which will also host training recordings and additional related course content. You will need to create a free account to access the recordings and SCECH quizzes. If you have questions, please contact trisha@micollegeaccess.org.

Training Times and Topics
All Certified FAFSA Specialist Training meetings will occur 10:30 a.m.-noon ET, except where otherwise noted. Required training sessions are listed below:

1. Introduction to Financial Aid: Monday, Sept. 14, 2026
   Training #1 LearnWorlds Recording

2. FAFSA Completion: Student Portion: Monday, Oct. 5, 2026

3. FAFSA Completion: Parent Portion: Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2026

4. FAFSA Follow Up and Verification: Wednesday, Dec. 9, 2026

5. FAFSA in Practice: Monday, Jan. 11, 2027, 11am-noon

6. Financial Aid Offer Review: Monday, Jan. 25, 2027

7. Navigating Federal Student Loans: Monday, Feb. 8, 2027

Financial Aid Renewal for College Success: Monday, Feb. 22, 2027
This session is for practitioners working with current college students. It is not required to earn a certification.

Questions?

Contact Jenny McArdle, senior director of college access.

Register

Please complete the form linked below to formally state your interest in participating in the Certified FAFSA Specialist training. The cost for this training will be covered by MCAN, meaning it is provided at no cost to registrants.