On Tuesday, FSA announced a robust set of training opportunities for the 2025–26 award year, designed to equip financial aid professionals with the tools and knowledge necessary for Title IV program compliance and administration. These include the FSA Fundamentals Training Series, refreshed Learning Tracks and Basic Training, and the Summer 2025 Wednesday Webinar Series.
FSA Fundamentals Training Series (2025–26)
The FSA Fundamentals Training Series is targeted at institutions newly participating in Title IV programs or undergoing ownership changes. It is composed of two parts:
- FSA Fundamentals Online Course: A self-paced course that lays the foundational knowledge of Title IV aid administration.
- FSA Fundamentals Virtual Workshop: A four-and-a-half-day, instructor-led online training session available from September 2025 through May 2026.
The online course must be completed before participating in the workshop. Separate workshop sessions are tailored to different institutional formats—clock-hour/nonterm credit-hour and credit-hour programs. While required for some institutions, the training is also open to others as a valuable refresher.
Full Announcement: (ANN-25-06) Training Workshops – 2025–26 FSA Fundamentals Training Series
New Learning Tracks and Basic Training for New Staff
The FSA Training Center has updated and expanded its offerings to support continuing education and onboarding:
- Learning Tracks: Now featuring 34 tracks across 10 key subject areas. New topics include “Basics of Academic Calendars,” “Written Arrangements Between Schools,” “Recordkeeping and Retention,” and “FAFSA Data.” These brief, modular courses are updated annually and provide relevant, award year–specific content.
- FSA Basic Training for New Staff: A 12-module, asynchronous course designed for newly hired financial aid administrators and other school officials. It serves as a comprehensive overview of Title IV responsibilities and processes and is equally beneficial for seasoned staff seeking a refresher.
Full Announcement: (ANN-25-07) Updated Course Offerings ‒ Newly Redesigned Learning Tracks and FSA Basic Training for New Staff for 2025‒26 Award Year
Wednesday Webinar Series – Summer 2025
FSA will continue its Wednesday Webinar Series, offering accessible and timely training on current topics:
- NSLDS Enrollment Reporting and Corrections (July 16, 2025): This session will walk participants through accurate enrollment data reporting using the National Student Loan Data System.
- Federal Update (September 10, 2025): A high-level overview of statutory and regulatory changes, operational guidance, and essential updates for schools.
No registration is required for these live webinars, which can host up to 20,000 attendees per session. Participants can submit questions during the live Q&A portions for interactive engagement.
Full Announcement: (ANN-25-08) Live Internet Webinars – Wednesday Webinar Series, Summer 2025