Present at PNPI’s 2026 Federal Student Aid Boot Camp
At PNPI, we are deeply committed to building the next generation of federal postsecondary policy professionals. As part of that mission, we convene a Federal Student Aid Boot Camp each summer designed to provide emerging and future policymakers with a strong foundation in the federal student aid system.
We are currently seeking presenters to serve as instructors for our next boot camp, taking place July 23–24, 2026, in Washington D.C. Instructors will help participants build a clear, shared understanding of how federal student aid works. The audience will include emerging policy professionals, graduate students, researchers and others who are building their understanding of federal higher education policy.
We are looking for presenters who can deliver clear, accessible, and comprehensive presentations on the following topics:
- FAFSA and the Student Aid Index (SAI)
- The Pell Grant program
- Federal student loans
- Federal student debt and borrowing patterns
- Federal student loan default
- Loan repayment options
What We’re Looking For in Presenters
We are intentionally casting a wide net and welcome nominations from across the higher education and policy ecosystem. Ideal nominees might include:
- Faculty members who teach or research federal student aid or higher education finance
- Analysts or researchers at think tanks or policy organizations
- Practitioners with deep subject matter expertise in student aid, loans, or servicing
- Early-career professionals with foundational knowledge and a clear teaching style
What matters most is expertise and the ability to teach, not seniority or institutional affiliation.
This boot camp is designed to be instructional—not advocacy-oriented. We are seeking presenters who will:
- Focus on the basics and core mechanics of federal student aid
- Take on the role of teacher, not advocate
- Present information clearly, neutrally, and accessibly
- Help participants understand how policy is structured, implemented, and experienced
- Make a formal presentation (with slides)
- Remain available for a Q&A and discussion with participants
What Presenters Gain
Speaking opportunities at our Federal Student Aid Boot Camp offer several meaningful professional benefits:
- Direct engagement with a Washington, D.C.–based policy audience, including emerging federal policy professionals and future leaders in higher education policy
- Visibility for your expertise and work among individuals who will go on to shape and implement federal student aid policy
- Cost of travel to Washington, D.C., hotel accommodations, and some meals, for presenters who live outside the DMV area
- Complimentary registration for the full boot camp, allowing presenters to participate in other sessions and engage with fellow faculty and attendees
- A small stipend for presenters who are full- or part-time students at an accredited institution of higher education
Many past PNPI speakers value the opportunity not only to present but also to build relationships, test how complex ideas land with policy audiences, and contribute to a shared understanding in the field.
Interested in Presenting—or Know Someone Who Should?
If you know someone who would be a strong fit (yourself included) to present on one or more topics, please complete the nomination form by April 23, 2026.
We are grateful for your help in identifying speakers who can help equip the next generation of policymakers with the knowledge they need to do this work well.
