July 23–24
Pew Charitable Trusts
901 E Street NW, Washington, D.C.
PNPI’s Federal Student Aid (FSA) Boot Camp is back! This two-day learning event is a unique opportunity to expand your knowledge of federal student aid, build connections in the field, and strengthen your ability to assess, create, and impact federal postsecondary policy.
Boot camp participants generally include staff from government, nonprofits, think tanks, and national associations, as well as public policy students interested in a career in higher education policy. Attendees will engage with their peers, learn from current policy professionals, and leave with a solid understanding of FSA.
A limited number of scholarships are available for students and government employees. Find more information under the “Scholarships” tab below.
Why Attend
The FSA Boot Camp will feature expert speakers and engaging sessions designed to improve your knowledge and understanding of key topics related to FSA, including:
- The current cost of college and trends over time
- The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Student Aid Index (SAI)
- The Federal Pell Grant Program
- Federal student loans and demographics of student borrowers
- Student debt and default
- Federal student aid repayment programs
At no additional cost, boot camp participants have the opportunity to earn a digital badge, a virtual credential that can be shared with current and future employers and added to LinkedIn profiles. Find more information under the “Digital Badge” tab below.
Boot Camp Sponsor
Coming soon!
Boot camp participants typically include staff from nonprofit organizations, think tanks, national associations, and government, as well as public policy students interested in pursuing a career in federal higher education policy.
Student Registrant: $99
Must be a degree-seeking student at a federally accredited institution and must email a copy of student ID to pnpi@pnpi.org to verify student status and enrollment
Nonprofit/Government Registrant: $199
Must register with a .org or .gov email address
General Registrant: $349
PNPI alumni get 10% off of their registration fee using the code “pnpialum.”
Participants who cancel their registrations by midnight on July 16 will receive a full refund minus a small administrative fee. Participants who cancel their registrations after July 16 will forfeit their entire registration fee.
PNPI offers a limited number of registration/attendance scholarships for undergraduate and graduate students who demonstrate both an interest in federal higher education policy and financial need and to government workers (federal, state, or local).
Scholarship applications close June 25.
Student Scholarships
PNPI offers a limited number of scholarships for graduate and undergraduate students attending accredited institutions who demonstrate financial need and an interest in federal higher education policy. Eligibility is limited to students who can demonstrate that they are Pell Grant recipients or Pell-eligible (more below). Scholarships include the boot camp registration fee, as well as accommodations and round-trip fare to/from the event if the student lives outside of the Washington metropolitan region.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Must demonstrate financial need. Undergraduate students (at both two- and four-year institutions) must have received a Pell Grant for the most recent semester. Graduate students must have received a Pell Grant in their senior year of undergraduate studies, verified by their financial aid award letter, and demonstrate Pell eligibility for the most recent academic year verified by a family contribution of less than $7,394 on their Student Aid Report (SAR) from the U.S. Department of Education.
- Must attend an accredited institution.
- All majors/fields of study accepted, but candidates must demonstrate an interest in postsecondary education policy or practice.
- Must commit to attending all sessions during the boot camp.
- Must commit to attending a networking dinner with PNPI staff.
- Must fill out a scholarship application.
Government Scholarships
PNPI offers a limited number of registration scholarships for individuals who work for federal, state, or local government. Government scholarships include the cost of registration only.
Eligibility Requirements:
- Applicants must fill out and submit a scholarship application.
- Government workers must have a .gov email address.
PNPI issues participants a digital credential upon completion of the 2026 FSA Boot Camp. All badge earners will receive an email inviting them to claim their badge within 30 days of course completion.
Offered on the Credly platform, digital badges can be displayed in email signatures, on electronic copies of résumés, and on social media sites such as LinkedIn. There is no fee for the badge, and acceptance of the badge is at the participant’s discretion once it is issued by PNPI.
PNPI’s digital badge gives participants:
- A web-enabled version of their credential that can easily be shared online
- Labor market insights that relate your skills to jobs
- A trusted method for real-time credential verification
The digital badge is ONLY available to participants who complete the boot camp and submit a completed course evaluation. You can read more about the badge here or by clicking on the badge icon below.
