The University of Iowa

Faculty Senate

Charter Committee Annual Report to the Shared Governance Council

Committee: Financial Aid Advisory Committee
Report Year: 2025-26

Committee Chair(s)	Irene Lottini (faculty). The student co-chair has not been selected by the Joint Nominations Committee of the UISG and GPSG.
Committee Members	Faculty Katharine Broton, Higher Education & Student Affairs Elena Gavruseva, Languages, Literatures, Linguistics, & Cultures Carrie Swanson, Philosophy Irene Lottini, Languages, Literatures, Linguistics, & Cultures Alexandra Nica, Economics Bruce Nottingham-Spencer, Languages, Literatures, Linguistics, & Cultures Staff Ifeoma Anyaoha, Cancer Center Jessica Boyle, Division of Sponsored Programs Students Rachel Zambrano Hannah Schaufele Claire Anonson Fasha Aryasa Cecilia Botwe Patrick Johnson Administrative liaisons Brenda Buzynski, Assistant Provost, Director of Student Financial Aid Brent Gage, Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Non-voting member Carolyn Colvin, English Education
Committee Charge	The committee shall: (1) review and make recommendations to the President regarding all forms of student financial aid, and (2) assist the Office of Student Financial Aid or other university office administering financial aid in communicating all financial aid policies to the university community.
Current Year Meeting Dates	10/17/2025; 11/21/2025; 2/27/2026; 4/17/2026
Please indicate the typical frequency of meetings (e.g., first Tuesday of month at 4 pm). If there are subcommittees, please indicate the frequency of those meetings, too.	The committee met every 5-7 weeks on Friday afternoons depending on the members’ availability. No subcommittees were formed.
Current Year Activities	All meetings were held via ZOOM. Committee discussions focused on the following topics: The critical role of the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) in assisting students with various types of financial aid (FA). Financial Assistance. In 2024-25, 83% of UI students (25,433) received some form of FA and OSFA administered over $532 million in FA. The University abides by the College Cost and Transparency Initiative, and the UI FA offers clearly communicate estimated costs and available assistance. OSFA assists students with filing the FAFSA and has packaged a record number of FAFSAs. The Hawkeye Work Grant has had positive outcomes as participation in the program has contributed to student retention and success. In 2025-26, the newly established John Deere Scholarship program enrolled 20 students from Davenport High Schools. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBA) has introduced the following changes, effective July 1, 2026: 1) subsidized and unsubsidized loans for undergraduate students will be prorated based on enrollment status; 2) the Parent PLUS loan will have new limits; 3) Graduate PLUS loans will terminate for first-time borrowers; 4) the Unsubsidized Loan Program has different limits based on student classification (graduate vs. professional programs). Admissions. As applications continue to increase, Admissions is working to manage enrollment and ensure that the University can effectively serve large incoming cohorts. The UI Bucksbaum Program offers high school students graduating a year earlier a targeted and structured access to the university. The Bucksbaum Academy covers any merit-based aid students would receive during their first year. In Fall 2025 16 students (12 Iowa residents and 4 nonresidents) enrolled and accepted admission to the program. Minutes are available upon request.
Topics your committee will address during the coming year	Next academic year, the committee will continue to address the following topics: Financial literacy The number of students receiving some form of financial aid Types of financial aid administered by OSFA Enrollment and application numbers Changes in financial aid and the work done by OSFA to respond to those changes
Other issues of concern	Factors contributing to the University’s mission to provide access to higher education by administering financial aid strategically and in a timely manner to all students.
What should we tell applicants for this committee regarding expectations of members (anticipated workload, existence of subcommittees, etc.)?	Anyone interested in learning about policies related to financial aid would be welcomed. Committee meetings focus on the importance of financial aid in supporting UI students as they pursue their academic degrees. Regular attendance at meetings is expected for the effective functioning of the committee. Student participation on this committee is highly valued.
Does your committee have a website? If so, what is the URL?	The committee does not have a website.
What is your process for passing on previous agendas and minutes to the new committee chair(s)?	Minutes have been recorded at each meeting. Agendas and minutes are available upon request (please contact Irene Lottini at irene-lottini@uiowa.edu).
Recommendations, if any, to the shared governance groups.	It is important that the Joint Nominations Committee of the UISG and GPSG selects the student co-chair.