Determining how to pay for medical school can be stressful for students across the country. But at VCOM, our financial aid staff is part of the community that supports students throughout their medical education. Jan A. Belton, who serves as director of financial aid for VCOM-Carolinas, recently earned the FAAC® designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators' accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program. After supporting and guiding students through the complex process of understanding their financial aid options for decades, her commitment has now been recognized on a national level.
“Jan Belton’s achievement in earning this certification is a testament to a longstanding commitment to professional excellence and service,” said Matthew Cannon, DO, FACOFP, dean for VCOM-Carolinas. “Throughout the years, Jan has consistently demonstrated exceptional dedication to supporting our students, ensuring they have access to the resources and guidance necessary for success. This certification not only reflects a high level of expertise in financial aid administration, but also reinforces Jan’s unwavering commitment to the VCOM mission and to the educational journey of every student served. We are proud of this accomplishment and grateful for the leadership, integrity, and professionalism Jan brings to our institution each day.”
The CFAA Program is a first-in-the-industry effort launched in 2019 that validates the skills and knowledge of financial aid professionals at postsecondary institutions nationwide. The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, or NASFAA, is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country. NASFAA is the only national association with a primary focus on student aid legislation, regulatory analysis, and training for financial aid administrators.
"Financial aid administrators are full-time multi-taskers. They are stewards of program integrity and architects of opportunity while managing institutional demands and complex regulations in an ever-changing professional landscape," says Melanie Storey, NASFAA President & CEO. "The FAAC designation underscores a financial aid administrator's professional dedication to these critical responsibilities and their unwavering commitment to the highest ethical standards."
Belton joins the ranks of an elite group of under 1,000 professionals, in a field of more than 30,000, who earned the FAAC designation after successfully passing a comprehensive knowledge exam and affirming commitment to the standards of ethical behavior that have long been a hallmark of the financial aid profession.
The financial aid profession is always changing. The opportunity to continue learning is one of the things that keeps me interested in the field. During a time of contraction of the role of the Federal government to provide funding for college costs to student loans made me want to be better prepared to advocate for things important to students at VCOM and attending colleges nationwide
“Earning the FAAC designation is a remarkable achievement,” says Elizabeth Jacquez-Amador, 2025-26 Commission Chair and Director of Student Financial Aid at the University of New Mexico. “It reflects your competence, commitment, and the countless hours you’ve invested in serving students and families. It also marks the beginning of your connection with a vibrant community of peers who share your dedication.”
More information about the certification program may be found at nasfaa.org/certification_overview or by contacting NASFAA's certification program staff via email at certification@nasfaa.org.