By MorraLee Keller, Senior Director, Strategic Programming
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As we begin this new academic year, we are focused on making sure our direct service providers are ready to serve a new cohort of students. The National College Attainment Network (NCAN) has just updated our e-learning courses that programs can use as
fundamental training for those advisors new to this work. Most of our courses are updated and ready with just a few Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) courses left that will be completed later this fall when the 2025-26 form opens. Check
out our e-learning page to see the current offerings. The courses focus on areas of testing, admissions advising, data tracking, inclusive student advising, retention, policy and advocacy,
financial aid, and the FAFSA. A new course on student mental health and wellness has been added for this year.
NCAN member programs should consider a variety of ways to use these courses for training. Program directors may choose to select a set of courses that all new advisors will complete as fundamental training to supplement what the organization offers. You
may wish to require all advisors to review the new FAFSA courses when those get updated this fall. Some organizations require everyone to earn the NCAN Certified Advisor badge and note that on their website. There are so many ways to use this information
to help support students.
NCAN wants to remind you that we issue electronic badges to those who successfully complete courses in our core competency areas. Learners automatically receive a certificate of completion at the end of each individual course. These can
be submitted to program directors as documentation of course completion. If a learner takes the group of courses bundled for badges, they will automatically earn a certificate when the badge courses is completed and then will be issued an electronic
badge at the end of the month credentialing them in that particular topic area.
There is no charge for taking these training courses to those who come from NCAN member organizations, while non-members pay a fee for most courses. All courses are available on demand, 24/7. To register, go to our
e-learning page.
If you have questions about any of the courses or platform, please contact Senior Director, Strategic Programming MorraLee Keller at kellerm@ncan.org.
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