About US

The National Association of Student Money Advisers (“NASMA”) was first established in 1995 by a group of money advisers working in Higher Education. Its aim was to create an effective support network and forum for discussion at a time when many people in this sector felt isolated. Formal recognition was gained in 1996 and membership has continued to grow since then. There are now approximately 450 members across all four countries of the UK. Members of NASMA are predominantly:

• Student Money Advisers in Universities, Colleges of Higher Education, Students’ Unions, Guilds and Associations
• Discretionary Fund Administrators in Higher Education Institutions
• Staff in Further Education Colleges whose remit includes money advice and/or discretionary fund administration

NASMA acts as a focus for information exchange between practitioners in the field of student funding, bringing together professionals from across the sector and encouraging the free exchange of ideas and consultation with national decision makers on areas concerning student finance and funding.

Membership brings access to the following:

Invitation to attend regular regional meetings
Most regions meet 3-4 times a year. As the organisation is member-led the agenda and guest speakers are always relevant to members’ needs.

NASMA Training sessions
Organised regionally and nationally at a reasonable rate whenever possible. National briefing days are also held throughout the year. Training sessions held in recent years covered topics such as: ‘debt advice, ‘hardship funds good practice, ‘Interface between Student support and benefits’ and ‘Introduction to Tax Credits.’ The DfES will frequently be in attendance at Briefing Days, giving members the opportunity to ask questions and input into national policy making.

Annual Conference
Gives members further training opportunities and a chance to input on organisational policy at the AGM. This year’s conference workshops included:

Effective Administration, Introduction to Money Advice, Benefit Calculations, Maintaining Good Relations between HEI and SU Advice Services, Debts to the University and Healthcare Student Funding. The conference takes place over three days and allows individuals working within the student finance arena to network with colleagues.

National Consultation Forums
NASMA continues to input into consultative exercises and groups relating to relevant DfES/ DWP/ DoH policy, publications and guidance. Whilst government departments do not take on board all our recommendations the input of NASMA is certainly recognisable in final documentation.

Regular Contact with other members
Members keep in contact through out the year via the ever-popular e-mail discussion group. The discussion group is a forum for members to ask questions and share information; most members would not be without it.

Click here to download our current Memorandum and Articles of Association in PDF format.