[Bethany, Oklahoma] – Southern Nazarene University (SNU) is proud to celebrate Perry Diehm, Director of Financial Aid for Professional and Graduate Studies, for earning the prestigious Financial Aid Administrator Certification (FAAC®) from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ (NASFAA) accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) program. Diehm achieved this nationally recognized designation in December 2023.
The FAAC® program was created in response to requests from financial aid professionals for a formal certification process. Its mission is to elevate the financial aid profession, inspire quality performance, and provide a competitive edge to practitioners. The certification also reinforces the credibility of financial aid advisors, who play an essential role in the success of higher education institutions by ensuring the integrity of financial aid programs.
Diehm noted that the Southwestern Region of NASFAA has actively encouraged financial aid directors and other professionals to pursue this certification. “A few of my colleagues at other schools in Oklahoma have earned this honor,” says Diehm.
Preparing for the rigorous 117-question certification exam required extensive training and study across all areas of financial aid. Diehm highlights the exclusivity of the certification: “To give you perspective, there are around 28,000 employees in financial aid offices according to NASFAA, and only about 700 have been awarded that standing,” he explains, adding that at the time of his certification, the number was in the mid-500s.
Please join us in congratulating Perry Diehm on this outstanding professional achievement!
Southern Nazarene University is a private Christian university in Bethany, Oklahoma. Committed to providing a values-driven education, SNU offers students an environment that fosters academic, spiritual, and social growth. With a legacy of academic excellence, SNU prepares students to become impactful leaders through rigorous programs and a close-knit community. For more information, please contact pgsadmissions@mail.snu.edu.