About SCASFAA
A Thirty-Five Year History

The year was 1966, and Charles Whitten of the University of South Carolina was elected for the first of two terms as president of a new state-wide organization called the South Carolina Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, or SCASFAA for short. The emphasis of this newly formed organization was in creating interest from the state’s financial aid administrators in becoming members of the association. Nine individuals answered the first call, but the numbers soon grew. Annual dues were set at $2.00 and memberships were individual. The first annual meeting was held in Columbia.

In 1967-68 Charles Whitten was again president, and SCASFAA had grown to nearly twenty members. A governing board was formed with a president, vice president, and secretary/treasurer. Emphasis was again on membership growth; dues remained at $2.00, and the second annual meeting was held in Columbia.

In 1968-69, Leo Kerford of South Carolina State College (now University) was elected president. Having served on the board the previous year, President Kerford continued to work on increasing membership. Records show that 31 members each paid $2.00 during this year, and that the third annual meeting was again held in Columbia.

Lynn Christian, of Furman University, became the first woman president of SCASFAA in 1969-70. Membership grew to 51. Training workshops were held in Greenville, Clinton, and Columbia. The membership voted to move the annual meeting to a different site in the state each year, so the meeting was held in Greenville.

In 1970-71, Arnold Bloss, of Clemson University, was elected as president. Membership grew to 60 and dues remained at $2.00. Training workshops were again held throughout the state, and the annual meeting was held in Charleston.

John Daniluk of Presbyterian College was elected president in 1971-72. It was in 1971 that SCASFAA became the first state to issue a “certificate of training” to those who successfully completed the training workshops. Dues were increased for the first time from $2.00 to $3.00. SCASFAA members played an active role in the development of early “Basic Grants” training materials, and the annual meeting was held at Pawley’s Island.

In 1972-73, under the leadership of Vance Hightower, of the Citadel, the sixth SCASFAA president, the association developed a “survey of Federal Funding Programs.” The survey received wide circulation on a regional level. The first SCASFAA Newsletter appeared in 1971, and dues were increased from $3.00 to $10.00. In answer to “why such a large increase?” President Hightower said, “Because of the expansion of services offered by SCASFAA to its members, the association should have a treasury sufficient to cover expenses of mailing and production of publications including the newsletter.” For the first time an annual budget for projects was developed, and the association was held accountable to the membership for the money it collected and how it was spent. The annual meeting was held in Myrtle Beach.

In 1973-74, Vance Hightower was again elected as president of SCASFAA. The newsletter was published three times during the year, and plans were made to make it a regular publication. SCASFAA became more involved with legislative activity on both a state and regional level. Dues remained at $10.00, and SCASFAA began to develop a stable financial base from which it could operate. The first annual audit was performed and showed that SCASFAA could become self-sustaining in its programs. The annual meeting was held in Columbia.

The next two years were “landmark years” in several instances. Sylvia Hudson of the University of South Carolina was elected president in both 1974-75 and 1975-76. “Certification” of financial aid officers became a reality. A “Certification Exam” was prepared and administered to aid officers seeking this professional designation. The first “Financial Aid Awareness Week” was put together under President Hudson’s leadership. The membership grew to 71, and dues remained at $10.00. The newsletter began on a regular basis and the annual meeting, which was held in Myrtle Beach, featured the first “Casino Night.” The annual meeting also featured for the first time “general sessions” for all members to attend on major topics of interest rather than specific topic sessions.

In 1976-77 “Professional Development” was the theme and Dan Franz of Baptist College of Charleston (now Charleston Southern University) was elected president. Statewide training workshops were held to help aid administrators with changing federal regulations and the growth of the Basic Educational Opportunity Grant and Supplemental Opportunity Grant programs. The “Financial Aidus Bird,” which was an early SCASFAA mascot, first appeared depicting the aid administrator of the time as “red-eyed (too much work), big hearted (love to give out money) and broke (grossly underpaid).” Times haven’t changed much. The first hardbound printed program with the sessions outlined in advance was published for the annual meeting. The site returned to the upstate, and the first of two meetings at Hickory Knob State Park was held.

Red Burnette of Newberry College was elected president for 1977-78. The theme for the year was “Management of the Financial Aid Office.” Workshops were held around the state to help aid administrators with the day-to-day problems of office management. The annual meeting returned to Hickory Knob State Park, the first annual SCASFAA Tennis Tournament was held, and the barbecue served at the banquet made a “lasting impression” . . . on some of us for days afterwards.

The 1978-79 year saw the first efforts by the Department of Education to regulate who received federal funds through a program called “Validation.” Benny Walker of Furman University was elected president, and spent most of his year in Washington trying to convince Congress to stay out of the financial aid business. Legislation was passed by Congress called the “Middle Income Student Assistance Act,” and financial aid offices were drowning in paperwork as more students than ever before became eligible for Basic Grants and other federal student aid programs. The structure of SCASFAA’s Executive Board was changed and expanded to include: President, President-Elect, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Member-at-Large. The first annual SCASFAA golf tournament was organized and the annual meeting was held on Hilton Head Island.

In 1979-80 the annual meeting returned to Hilton Head under President Martin McGirt of Midlands Technical College. The state was divided into regions with a regional coordinator that organized meetings with financial aid officers in each of the regions. “Job Location and Development” was the latest hot topic, and “Validation” continued to be an item at which we looked with a careful eye. The annual meeting featured the “Gong Show” and the first public performance of the now infamous “Mother Cluckers.”

In 1980-81 JoAnn Bolchoz of the Medical University of South Carolina was elected president. Work on “Incorporation” of SCASFAA began. The first formal “Policies and Procedures Manual” was developed and distributed to all officers. The “by-laws” were made a part of the Policy and Procedures Manual with responsibilities of each committee clearly outlined. On the national legislative scene, President Reagan repealed the “Middle Income Student Assistance Act” and the Basic Grants payment schedule was held up until nearly the start of the academic year. The annual meeting was returned to Hilton Head for the third straight year; “Casino Night” was revived, and the first “wooden” ballot box was constructed to be used for elections. Makes you wonder what ever happened to that old shoebox we used for so many years.

Marvin Carmichael of Clemson University was elected president for the 1981-82 year. The hot issues were “Automation of the Financial Aid Office” and the requirement that students receiving federal aid dollars be making “satisfactory progress.” The annual meeting featured “open forum” discussions as well as general sessions and specific topic sessions. Thanks to Palmer Freeman, the present site of the SCASFAA Annual Meeting at Springmaid Beach was discovered. The present three-day meeting format was begun.

In 1982-83 John Burns of the College of Charleston was elected president. Pictures appeared in the newsletter for the first time. “Validation” was getting more and more complicated and was a main topic at every meeting. SCASFAA became incorporated thanks to the hard work of Martin McGirt. Congressman Butler Derrick was a featured speaker at the annual meeting. Dues were increased from $10.00 to $15.00. The annual spring meeting was held again at Springmaid Beach.

Jennifer Jones-Gaddy of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation was elected president in 1983-84. A statewide video presentation was completed to help families understand how to apply for financial aid. The current logo of the state association was adopted. A two-day “New Aid Officer” training program was held separate from the association’s fall meeting. The newsletter took on its current name of “Palmetto Pages.” Financial Aid Awareness Week billboards appeared throughout the state to call attention to this important week. The first SCASFAA “Distinguished Service Award” was presented to Senator Rembert Dennis. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

Ray Edwards of the University of South Carolina was elected president in 1984-85. The SCASFAA Policies and Procedures Manual was updated and indexed for easy reference, and the SCASFAA Constitution was made a part of the manual. The business officers of the state’s colleges and universities were invited to join SCASFAA and to attend the annual meeting. A “Directory of Financial Aid Resources” was developed and distributed to high school guidance personnel. The SCASFAA Distinguished Service Award was presented to Governor Richard Riley. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

In 1985-86 Mac Hubbard of Lander College (now Lander University) was elected president. The first Research Conference was planned by SCASFAA to be held in conjunction with the fall meeting in Charleston. “Integrated Verification” became the latest federal buzzword, and verification forms were produced and mailed out by nearly everyone who had anything to do with financial aid. Advertisements appeared in the newsletter for the first time to put the newsletter on a self-paid basis. Pictures returned to the newsletter as well. A newsletter for high school guidance counselors called “F.A.C.E. the Facts” was developed and featured information that would help guidance counselors better understand the student aid process. The FISAP was not part of the fall meeting for the first time. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

Dot Carter of Erskine College was elected president in 1986-87. “Sequestration” was the newest federal buzzword, which meant that money was held up, especially in the Pell Grant Program. The “Long Range Planning Committee” was formed to help SCASFAA establish long term goals. SCASFAA hosted SASFAA in Charleston in February 1987. The annual meeting featured the “SCASFAA 20 –Year Celebration” which had actually occurred the previous October, and all the past presidents were invited back to celebrate and reflect on their years. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

In 1987-88, Terri Phillips Ward, of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation, was elected as president. The theme was “Vision, Visibility and Involvement.” A “Financial Planning” brochure was developed for aid officers, and the first attempt to revive the “SCASFAA Video” was made. The “F.A.C.E. the Facts” newsletter to high school guidance counselors took on a new look and was published on a regular basis. “Documentation” became the federal buzzword of the day and SCASFAA developed several generic forms to help aid administrators with the many things we were now having to document. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

Donna Hawkins of Wofford College was elected president of 1988-89. Workshops on the new “Congressional Methodology” were held throughout the state. “Refunds and Repayments” were the latest federal buzzwords, and lenders were required to have institutional audits at schools who did a certain percent of loan volume with them. The beginnings of a handbook for high school guidance counselors were organized, and closer working relations with the state office of higher education were realized with the beginning of the “Palmetto Fellows,” “Paul Douglas,” and “Teacher Loan” programs, and the Research Committee continued to work on several projects. The annual meeting was held at Springmaid Beach.

Elected as president in 1989-90 was Furman Edmonds from the University of South Carolina. The “Handbook for High School Guidance Counselors” was printed and distributed to all state high schools. Membership grew to an all-time high of 202. Workshops were held around the state on the 1990 Delivery System, and several NASFAA/SCASFAA co-sponsored workshops were held. The annual meeting featured the first ever “SCASFAA Olympics” and was again held at Springmaid Beach.

For 1990-91, Ellen Green of Charleston Southern University was elected president of SCASFAA. The year was spent getting ready for “Reauthorization” of federal student aid programs with many major changes possible. The Long Range Planning Committee worked on revising goals for the next five years (1991-1996), and automation of financial aid offices was considered a must to survive the paper work required of today’s administrator. Training was emphasized as more new people came into aid offices around the state. The annual meeting featured SCASFAA’s “25th year” celebration and was held at Springmaid Beach.

For the 1991-92 year, Ken Player of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation served as president. Congress began to consider legislation in preparation for another Reauthorization. The fall conference was held in Charleston. Fred Hardin’s Consumer Relations Committee worked with SCETV and the office of Lt. Gov. Nick Theodore to produce a public service video announcement concerning financial aid opportunities. SCASFAA received the sad news of the passing of one of her charter members, Col. Marcus Griffin. The SCASFAA Policies and Procedures Manual received a much-needed update. A high school counselor “hot-line” was created to establish a direct link between secondary school and financial aid counselors throughout the state. A new “Vendor/Sponsor Committee” was established to help broaden our vendor support. The Spring Conference was held . . . where else . . . at Springmaid Beach. No serious injuries were reported in the annual Olympics.

Bob Godfrey of the University of South Carolina took over the reins as president for the 1992-93 year. The Reauthorization process gathered steam and gave us the Higher Education Amendments of 1992. New buzzwords in financial aid were “subsidized” and “unsubsidized.” We saw the advent of National Service. Direct Lending began making serious moves. Our colleagues in the technical colleges began the conversion from the quarter to semester academic calendar. The Professional Development Committee inaugurated the latest technical advance – VideoConference – in the state. President Godfrey developed a dual theme of involvement and commitment for the year, involvement for all, but especially for minorities and those who have never actively participated in SCASFAA. The fall conference was held in Greenville, where the Association presented its Distinguished Service Award to its “favorite Fed,” Francine Reeves. This year’s fall conference marked the first time that vendor displays appeared, and they were well received. We learned more about pro-rata refunds, and we prepared ourselves for co-payable PLUS loan checks. SCASFAA’s membership soared to more than 300. The spring conference was once again at Springmaid Beach.

Judi Gillespie of Presbyterian College became president for the 1993-94 year. The summer of ’93 saw the end of “SLS” and the beginning of unsubsidized loans. Loan applications, in terms of number of applicants and dollar amounts, soared to all-time records. The fall conference was held in Folly Beach, were we all agonized more on pro-ration issues, Direct Lending, etc. Congress passed the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which authorized Direct Lending to phase in up to 60% of total volume. The highly successful videoconferences were continued throughout the year. More attention was being paid to a relatively new acronym. . . SPRE. The S. C. Student Loan Corporation celebrated its 20th anniversary. The spring conference was again at Springmaid Beach. Rumor had it that the Atlanta Olympic Committee paid an unannounced visit, to see first-hand how such events should be conducted. They didn’t stay very long.

1994-95 President Billy Vandiver of the Medical University of South Carolina established a theme of “New Horizons: An Entitlement.” Aid officers throughout the state were kept frantic, processing an ever-increasing amount of FFELP/FDSLP applications. A major media blitz was organized throughout the state, when a U.S. House Budget Committee hearing was scheduled to take place in Columbia. Over 1000 people packed into Airport High School’s gymnasium to listen to what this committee was considering to do with the federal student aid program. Three “Save Student Aid” rallies were held in Clemson, Columbia and Charleston to demonstrate to the public the possible impact these proposed cuts would cause. The media was ever present at these rallies, and some of us saw ourselves on TV! A Halloween costume party highlighted the fall conference, held in Columbia, where a delightful bag lady kept everyone entertained. We saw the ESAR become the ISIR. At the spring conference in Myrtle Beach, it was announced that our own Marvin G. Carmichael had been elected the Chairman-Elect of NASFAA for the coming year. We added a new phone number to our directory: 1-800-4FED-AID, giving Francine much needed relief. Membership climbed to 345.

1995-96 saw Fred Hardin of Aiken Technical College assume the reins as president. The annual SASFAA New Aid Officer’s Summer Workshop was held at the College of Charleston. The fall conference was held in Greenville, where we heard from U. S. Congressman Bob Inglis from the Fourth District, and from a representative from U. S. Senator Fritz Hollings’ office. VideoConferences continued to be a viable medium to update and enlighten the membership. In February, SCASFAA hosted the annual SASFAA Conference on Hilton Head Island. President Fred, as Chairman of the Climate Control Committee, ensured that the weather was spectacular. A new grant was introduced in South Carolina – the Need-Based Grant. State grant funds were now going to be available to students to attend one of the public colleges. Another workshop on cash management and refunds/repayments was held in Columbia. The Spring Conference was held in the beautiful new facilities at Springmaid Beach. We were delighted and proud to learn that Governor Beasley awarded Bill Mackie of the SC Student Loan Corporation, the Order of the Palmetto, the State’s highest honor. The U.S. Olympic Committee briefly considered adding two new events: “Chubby Chicken,” and “Swing Your Thing.” The international governing body, however, did not approve this idea, even on a trial basis.

In 1996-97 Jackie Bell from the University of South Carolina became President and SCASFAA celebrated its 30th anniversary at the fall conference held in Charleston. SCASFAA’s Past Presidents, lifetime, and honorary members were invited to a special anniversary luncheon and were presented with a copy of the 30-year history. The By-Laws Committee recommended several changes to the By-Laws that made them more “politically correct” and allowed lifetime members the ability to vote. The committee also recommended over 150 changes to the Policy and Procedures Manual. Reauthorization and cash management were the buzz words and the spring conference attempted to “Unravel the Mystery of Financial Aid” and included its own murder mystery “who dunnit”. We enjoyed fellowship, dinner and dancing on a riverboat cruise up the inter-coastal waterway. Lifetime Membership in SCASFAA was awarded to Dot Carter and Terri Ward. For his outstanding achievements and contributions to financial aid, Sterling L. Smith was awarded the Distinguished Service Award.

Glenn Shumpert of the University of South Carolina in Aiken became president in 1997. The executive board recommended that the association go back to centralized training from NASFAA rather then incurring the cost of decentralized training. The training was met with success. LIFE Scholarships and the SC Tuition Savings Plan were born and a renewed focus on higher education was seen by our State’s General Assembly. The fall conference was held in Columbia and was highlighted by a general session on Project EASI, a common origination and payment process for the delivery of all types of student aid. SCASFAA submitted the High School Guidance Counselor’s Handbook on the Web to NASFAA for consideration of a NASFAA award. Winners would be announced in July. The spring conference was once again at Springmaid where Casino Night resurfaced and we again took an inter-coastal waterway riverboat cruise. President Shumpert presented Dr. Dallas Martin, NASFAA President, with SCASFAA’s Distinguished Service Award.

1998-99 saw Cheryl Hughes of the South Carolina Student Loan Corporation as President of SCASFAA. Cheryl began her tenure by accepting a NASFAA award on behalf of SCASFAA for service to constituents. Our Handbook on the Web submitted during Glenn’s presidency won! With changes in state programs as well as impending changes due to reauthorization, the fall conference theme of “Weathering the Storms of Change” seemed appropriate. The fall conference was held in Greenville and highlights included a diversity session sponsored by SCASFAA’s new Cultural Diversity Committee. Another highlight included the development of SCASFAA’s own Web page by Keith Reeves. Governor Hodges officially proclaimed February 1999 as Financial Aid Awareness Month. The spring conference was again held at Springmaid and the theme “It’s a Jungle Out There” prompted a fun jungle safari mixer and our service project collected 102 stuffed animals and 50 books which were donated to the Hospice of Georgetown County and Mercy Hospice of Horry County. During the awards luncheon Miriam Wilson was presented with Lifetime Membership and Senator Nicky Setzler and Deputy Chief of Staff to the Governor William (Billy) Boan were the recipients of the Distinguished Service Award.

Earl Mayo of the South Carolina Tuition Grants Commission assumed the presidency for 1999-2000 and “Connected the Carolinas”. The membership rose to 340 and the goal of having one full year’s operating expenses held in reserve was met. The first ever SCASFAA Leadership Symposium was held at Midlands Technical College; work began on establishing a summer internship program for high school guidance counselors; and the Communications Committee was established which encompassed the newsletter, the listserve, and the web page into one committee. The SCASFAA Mission Statement was adopted and the SCASFAA Membership Brochure was developed. A combined SCASFAA/NCASFAA Decentralized Training was held in Charlotte and the first-ever, joint SC/NC spring conference, “Connecting the Carolinas,” was held at Springmaid Beach. Highlights include three pre-conference workshops, 25 concurrent sessions and six general sessions not to mention the largest Olympic Games since those in Atlanta.

Michael Fox of the S.C. Student Loan Corporation served as president for 2000-2001. The year began with a transitional board meeting in Clemson, SC and was truly transitional with both the outgoing and the incoming boards meeting together. The Fall Conference was held in Columbia and was highlighted by the presence of SC Governor Jim Hodges who spoke to the group regarding the proposed State Lottery from which proceeds would go toward education in South Carolina. At the conference Mac Hubbard, from Lander University, was awarded Lifetime Membership in the association. In a continuing joint effort with NCASFAA, SCASFAA hosted the NASFAA decentralized training at Winthrop University. Building on the idea of the Leadership Symposium from the previous year, the Professional Development Committee hosted a Support Staff Symposium at Columbia College. In February SCASFAA once again hosted the SASFAA Conference and the membership assisted with providing an outstanding SASFAA conference on Hilton Head Island. The association’s bylaws were amended to expand the eligibility of affiliate members to chair committees and to hold elected office within the association. The Spring Conference was held at Springmaid Beach and, for the first time, registration information for the conference was available electronically through the SCASFAA web site. A High School Guidance Counselor Internship Program was approved and a pilot project with four counselors and four participating colleges was successfully implemented.

Margaret Hunt, Director of Financial Aid at Midlands Technical College, served as president for 2001-02. SCASFAA mourned with the nation at the loss of life during the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks on Twin Towers in New York, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and the downed airline in Pennsylvania. We officially celebrated the association’s 35th anniversary at the Conference Center and Inn at Clemson University during our fall conference. The conference included a pictorial history slide presentation shown throughout the reception. A brochure entitled, “The First 35 Years” was distributed at the conference as well. Jeff Davis, former Clemson and NFL football player and founder of the “Call Me Mister” program was our keynote speaker. In financial aid news the PELL Grant was increased to $4000 and Senator Buck McKeon began the FED UP project. Ed Miller, Financial Aid Director at USC started work on the Peer Support project. Governor Jim Hodges proclaimed February as Financial Awareness Month. We were saddened by the passing of Palmer Freeman on April 9, 2002. Palmer was one of the “Fearless Nine” that met to form SCASFAA and he will be missed as his legacy continues. The Spring Conference was held – where else, at Springmaid Beach and SCASFAA’s first president, Charles Whitten and his wife, joined us as we celebrated our 35th anniversary. Our charitable event included a silent auction for the Boys and Girls Club of Horry County.

Anita Kaminer Elliott, Columbia College’s Financial Aid Director, served as president for 2002-03. During her tenure SCASFAA’s membership grew to 378 strong and vendor support increased by $12,000 over the prior year. Palmetto Pages took on a new look with Neal Kiker as Editor. Eleven schools participated in the third year of the high school counselor internship program. The fall conference was held in at the Holiday Inn in Mount Pleasant and the Spring Conference was again held at Springmaid Beach. At the spring conference, SCASFAA’s Executive Board bestowed the Distinguished Service Award to David Bartnicki of the U. S. Department of Education for his service to our state as a federal trainer. Retired from the SC Student Loan Corporation, Ken Player was also awarded the Distinguished Service Award and Lifetime Membership for his service to SCASFAA, especially the budget committee. The by-laws were amended by member vote on April 6, 2003 to switch the duty of coordinator of special projects from the Member at Large to the President Elect. Anita held the transitional board meeting at the Whitney Hotel in Columbia where Margaret Hunt, Past President presented at long last a Long-Range Plan for SCASFAA.

Keith Reeves, Associate Director of Financial Aid at Clemson University, assumed the reigns as president of the association for the 2003-04 year. The fall conference, themed “The Pursuit of Excellence,” was held in Columbia and was a success under the chairmanship of Kim Jenerette. For the first time in a long time the conference committee was able to present a conference under budget. The Professional Development Committee offered NASFAA Decentralized Training, New Aid Offers Training and a Support Staff Symposium. The Peer Support Network developed by Ed Miller was completed and put into place. There were 75 “charter members” of the Network who volunteered to share their knowledge and/or expertise in over 60 subject areas. The Network’s topic areas and member contact information is housed on SCASFAA’s web page. A record 25 vendor/sponsors provided a record $46,603 to SCASFAA this year and SCASFAA’s ranks grew to 444 strong. As a result of the fiscal soundness of the Association, policies were adopted to provide travel reimbursements for committee activities. Also, a $1,000,000 general liability insurance policy was purchased to protect the Association. For the first time since 1981 the annual spring conference was NOT held at Springmaid. SCASFAA moved the site of its spring conference to north Myrtle Beach to the Ocean Dunes Resort. Former SCASFAA President and Lifetime Member, John Daniluk passed away on June 28, 2004.

As we begin a new year and a new era under the leadership of President Betty Whalen, SCASFAA has proven itself to be a strong, energetic, caring, and especially adaptable association. Throughout the years, the many guests and visitors to the fall and spring conferences have marveled at the cohesiveness and energy of our association. The “work hard, play hard” reputation has been well earned. With the caliber of leadership and dedication demonstrated by her executive officers, chairpersons, and the many committee members who willingly served (sometimes more than once), her future promises to be even brighter.

First 24 Years – Written by John Burns, Furman University
Years 25 - 30 – Written by Mac Hubbard, Lander University
Years 31 - current – Written by Cheryl Hughes, SC Student Loan Corporation