FSA has announced registration details for the December 2026 FSA Training Conference, scheduled for December 14–16, 2026, at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The conference will feature general and breakout sessions covering important federal student aid updates, including:
- Changes to Title IV programs resulting from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA).
- Improvements to the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- Fraud prevention best practices.
- Financial Value Transparency (FVT) reporting updates.
- Audit and compliance findings.
- Clery Act requirements and other operational updates.
The conference will be held exclusively in person, with no livestream or hybrid attendance option. However, FSA plans to record sessions and make them available on its conference website shortly after the event.
Registration Will Occur in Two Phases
To prioritize institutional participation, FSA has established a phased registration process.
Phase 1: Postsecondary Institutions (October 22 – November 2, 2026)
Registration is currently open to eligible postsecondary institutions, with a limit of three representatives per institution, based on each school’s six-digit OPEID.
Phase 1 will remain open through November 2, 2026, or until the initial registration capacity is reached.
Phase 2: Open Registration (November 2 – December 9, 2026)
Beginning November 2, or earlier if the initial registration capacity is reached, registration will expand to the broader FSA partner community, including:
Additional institutional representatives and schools that did not register during Phase 1.
- State agencies and third-party servicers.
- Software vendors.
- Community-based organizations.
- Associations, advocacy organizations, and other FSA partners.
- Registration will close on December 9, 2026, or earlier if the venue reaches capacity.
Waitlist and Registration Changes
If registration reaches capacity, FSA will establish a waitlist. As cancellations occur, individuals will be notified by email in the order they joined the waitlist and will have 48 hours to complete their registration.
Registered participants may also transfer their registration to another individual within their organization or cancel their attendance using the instructions provided in their confirmation email.
Hotel Accommodations
FSA has secured a limited number of rooms at the Gaylord National Resort and nearby overflow hotels at a discounted conference rate of $203 per night, plus applicable taxes.
Overflow hotels are located within a five-minute walk of the conference venue. Reservations are available on a first-come, first-served basis through links provided in registration confirmation emails.
The deadline to reserve accommodations at the conference rate is November 30, 2026, subject to availability.
Registration and Additional Information
Financial aid professionals planning to attend are encouraged to register early, as space is limited.
For registration assistance, contact event.services@ed.gov. General conference questions may be directed to FSAConferences@ed.gov.
FSA will continue updating its conference website with additional information and frequently asked questions.
SOURCE: (GENERAL-26-67) December 2026 Federal Student Aid Training Conference – Registration Information