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Helping you
empower
students.

Providing professional training and development to those working within Students Money Advice.

Training & Development

NASMA offers a variety of training and development events throughout the year both regionally and nationally.  Events include formal training by nationally recognised experts which ensures our members are kept up to date with the latest funding changes as they occur, and properly equipped to tackle difficult cases, as well as those issues that they deal with on a day to day basis.

NASMA Mail-base

NASMA members benefit from access to the mail-base 365 days a year. This is a JISCMail forum which provides an opportunity for members to learn from and contribute to an active and thematic dialogue of funding topics.

Regional Meetings

Regional Meetings take place around 3 times per membership year. These meetings provide regional training opportunities and are a platform to share information and best practice. As NASMA is member-led, the agenda and guest speakers are always relevant to members’ needs.

Delivering an effective support network since 1995.

We have members in all four countries in the UK and collectively we are recognised as the leading authority on all matters relating to student advice and funding.

About us

Join a national community of student advisors

NASMA is the National Association of Student Money Advisers. We have members in all four countries in the UK and collectively we are recognised as the leading authority on all matters relating to student advice and funding.

Kellie McAlonan

NASMA Chair

Jess Bates

Vice-Chair Governance & Operations

Shahida Ahmed

Vice-Chair Training & Development

Louise Reid

Financial Capability Champion

Graham Wright

Campaigns Coordinator

Ann Clowes

England Policy

Debbie Forsey

Northern Ireland Policy

Vicki Kinninmonth

Scotland Policy

Einir England

Wales Policy

Benefits

Why Join NASMA?

NASMA membership provides a community of support. The website contains useful and informative training and development along with a dedicated Members Area containing additional resources and materials.

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Annual Conference

The NASMA Annual Conference provides a unique opportunity to network with other NASMA members from across the UK, as well as to attend a programme of high-quality training and development workshops.

Student Money Advice Awards

Our prestigious Student Money Advice Awards are awarded annually at the Gala Dinner that takes place as part of our conference. They provide a great opportunity for members to showcase their hard work, and to share this best practice and success with the sector.

Accreditation and CPD

NASMA operate an accreditation scheme for  members, at no extra cost. There are lots of opportunities to work towards this, such as attendance at Regional Meetings and NASMA training events which contribute to CPD hours. There are also opportunities to join committees and working groups which is an ideal way of gaining additional CPD development.

Representation

Through the NASMA Board and experienced NASMA members, we are able to reach key decision makers with the experiences of those working directly with students. Through the strength of the membership and our excellent links we can raise matters of relevance and are often consulted before final decisions are made. This extends beyond student funding, across to debt and welfare benefits and other issues that impact on students.

Learn live, refresh later.

Our courses are live and interactive with real case studies. Following the session, we carefully collate the session information, removing sensitive information, into a summary document so you can check back to refresh your knowledge whenever suits.

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Featured Courses

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Featured image for National Student Money Week 2026 Launch Event
DATE: 15/01/26
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

National Student Money Week 2026 Launch Event

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NSMW26 Launch

Date: 15th January 2026
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: NASMA


NASMA are pleased to host a launch event for National Student Money Week 2026, delivered by Kellie McAlonan, NASMA Chair.

The theme this year is Future Ready: Money Skills for Success, taking place the week of 2nd to 6th March 2026.

At this event we will showcase the Campaign Pack and resources that will be available to help you deliver this campaign on your campuses, as well as the external partnerships that have been developed to support this national campaign. 

Join us to kick start you National Student Money Week 2026 planning.

This online event is also open to non-members, who are keen to engage in National Student Money Week activity. 

Featured image for Helping, Not Hindering: Rethinking How We Support Students Experiencing Homelessness
DATE: 27/11/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

Helping, Not Hindering: Rethinking How We Support Students Experiencing Homelessness

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Helping, Not Hindering: Rethinking How We Support Students Experiencing Homelessness

Date: 27th November 2025
Time: 14:00 - 15:30
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: NASMA


Across campuses, more students are navigating the challenges of housing insecurity and homelessness—often silently. When students face homelessness, good intentions aren’t always enough, and the age old question of 'duty of care' often arises.

Join us for this panel with sector practitioners, where we will discuss support approaches, looking at the key considerations needed to offer the best support to students, in a student-centred approach.

You'll hear from Amy Byrne from Manchester Metropolitan University who has been researching hidden student homelessness, and from Matt Parkin and Kellie McAlonan who will share the thought processes and approaches that go into their institutional responses in these cases. 

There will be an opportunity to share challenges and best practice, so come prepared to ask questions, not just of the panel, but the wider NASMA audience.

Featured image for National Student Money Week 2026 - Members Discussion Forums - Session 1
DATE: 19/01/26 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

National Student Money Week 2026 - Members Discussion Forums - Session 1

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National Student Money Week 2026 - Discussion Forums - Session 1

Date: 19th January 2026
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: NASMA


NASMA are pleased to host National Student Money Week 2026 Discussion Forums. These events will provide a platform for discussion and sharing best practice, to help you kick start your campaign planning. 

Tell us what you are doing in your institution, what has worked and what hasn't. This is also a great platform to ask questions of fellow members if you are new to National Student Money Week. 

Space is limited as we want to keep the numbers of participants at a level conducive to an effective discussion, so please book quickly to avoid disappointment. 

There are two different sessions to choose from. If more than one member of your team wishes to attend, we recommend attending different sessions to benefit more fully from the varied discussion we expect.

Completed Courses

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Featured image for SAAS Funding Awareness Team - Information sessions for HEI staff
DATE: 8/10/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

SAAS Funding Awareness Team - Information sessions for HEI staff

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SAAS Funding Awareness Team - Information sessions for HEI staff

Date: 8th October 2025
Time: 11:00 - 12:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: SAAS


This sessions will provide a “back to basics” overview of the funding schemes administered by SAAS including residency and previous study.

This sessions will be suitable for staff across the institution including new staff, or those who would like a refresher and will allow staff an opportunity to ask questions which will enhance your engagement with students.

During the session we will:

  • explain the funding available from SAAS for students planning to undertake higher education courses (HNC/HND/Degree courses); and
  • provide advice on our general residence eligibility and previous study arrangements; and
  • answer any questions attendees have about assisting students with their application and the funding available;
  • provide advice on how students can provide the necessary supporting evidence for their application.
Featured image for Hardship Fund guidance for 2025/26 webinar
DATE: 24/07/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

Hardship Fund guidance for 2025/26 webinar

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Hardship Fund guidance for 2025/26 webinar

Date: 24th July 2025
Time: 15:00 - 16:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: NASMA


This session provides an update on developments within the Hardship Fund guidance for 2025/26, particularly with regard to developments for postgraduate assessments. There will also be some practical content regarding the use of the calculation sheets which accompany the guidance, including how to customise for your own institution.

Featured image for Money Mentors Workshop
DATE: 9/06/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

Money Mentors Workshop

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Money Mentors Workshop

Date: 9th June 2025
Time: 11:00 - 12:30
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: NASMA Members


This 90-minute workshop will let you hear more about successful Money Mentor schemes in different parts of the UK. Join us as members from 3 institutions tell you more about their individual experiences of employing students in a Money Mentor capacity. You will then have the opportunity to ask questions to find out more.

Money Mentors are paid student employees who work part time during their studies and assist Money & Welfare teams with the delivery of their services. How they participate can vary from helping out at events, writing blogs, helping with service delivery or developing resources. All depending on how the service is set up and the way they have been employed.

Join us to find out more.

Featured image for Media Training
DATE: 21/05/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

Media Training

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Media Training

Date: 21st May 2025
Time: 10:00 - 12:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: Matt Needham


This informative and engaging session will be a practical, easy to digest 2 hour virtual seminar. Matt will cover the basics from how to write a short, relevant press release, when is an appropriate time to do so and how to find and develop contacts with the local media.

  • Key messaging
  • What journalists are looking for
  • Storytelling techniques – including approaching the media and writing press releases
  • Key tips and advice re print, radio and TV
  • Controlling the narrative – including bridging and steering
  • Statements
  • Q&A
Featured image for SLC - Student Finance: Get ready for the launch
DATE: 9/04/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

SLC - Student Finance: Get ready for the launch

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SLC - Student Finance: Get ready for the launch

Date: 9th April 2025
Time: 14:00 - 15:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: SLC


The Funding Information Services Team will be delivering a training session focusing on how to prepare students for Undergraduate application launch will be included, covering mailing lists, resources and key messages. During this session the FIS Team will also produce MI data to draw insight on application trends by household income, independent students and timely applications. This session should provide you with the tools and insight required to assist your students with readying for their student finance applications, ensuring they are applying on time and correctly.

Featured image for YGAM - Esports
DATE: 26/03/25 Nasma Members Only
PRICE: £0.00 / £0.00

YGAM - Esports

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YGAM - Esports

Date: 26th March 2025
Time: 10:00 - 11:00
Location: NASMA Website
Facilitated by: Y


This 60-minute workshop will help you identify esports and understand its appeal to young people. You'll gain confidence to discuss esports, recognise educational and career opportunities, and identify potential risks.

 

Topics covered:

  • You will be able to identify esports and will understand the appeal to young people​
  • You will have increased confidence and knowledge to talk to young people about esports
  • You will recognise the opportunities of esports and understand the growth in education and careers
  • You will recognise the potential risk and be able to identify how harms may arise
  • You be able to support and sign post young people