OREANDA-NEWS. July 06, 2016. A paper authored by DeVry Education Group’s regulatory affairs manager Marcus Szymanoski proposes new concept for Higher Education Act (HEA) reauthorization. The paper, titled “Student Aid Modernization Initiative (SAMI): Transforming Federal Student Aid for the 21st Century,” was the winner of the inaugural “Big Idea” policy proposal competition at the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA) national conference in New Orleans in 2015.

In the paper, published June 30 by NASFAA, Szymanoski discusses how SAMI would work, its anticipated policy implications and how the concept could result in more effective federal student aid programs.

“Since 1965, the HEA has profoundly impacted American postsecondary education. HEA reauthorization now presents a historic opportunity for lawmakers to ensure the law reflects the way students approach education in the 21st century,” Szymanoski said. “Using SAMI as the foundation for a reauthorization package would result in more precise awarding and increased overall system efficiency, leading to a more effective distribution of federal student aid, among other positive outcomes.”

“Through the ‘Big Idea’ policy challenge, we were able to offer a forum to allow our members to put forward innovative policy ideas," said Justin Draeger, NASFAA president. “We applaud Mark’s effort in developing an idea that aims to simplify and streamline our current student aid system. SAMI will undoubtedly generate healthy discussion among our membership as reauthorization draws nearer.”

You can access the full paper here.

Szymanoski will lead a session Monday, July 11, at 9:45 a.m. at the 2016 NASFAA National Conference in Washington, DC. In the session, Szymanoski will describe SAMI in greater detail and explore SAMI’s innovative ways to reform the financial aid programs as reauthorization of the Higher Education Act approaches.

About DeVry Education Group

The purpose of DeVry Education Group is to empower its students to achieve their educational and career goals. DeVry Education Group Inc. (NYSE: DV; member S&P MidCap 400 Index) is a global provider of educational services and the parent organization of American University of the Caribbean School of Medicine, Becker Professional Education, Carrington College, Chamberlain College of Nursing, DeVry Brasil, DeVry University and its Keller Graduate School of Management, Ross University School of Medicine and Ross University School of Veterinary Medicine. These institutions offer a wide array of programs in healthcare, business, technology, accounting, finance and law. For more information, please visit www.devryeducationgroup.com.