In a ceremony September 28, 2004, at Georgia College & State University (GC&SU), Suzanne Buttram, Director of Financial Aid for GC&SU, received Nelnet's Full Circle Award in recognition of professional excellence as a Financial Aid Officer. Ms. Buttram is a16-year veteran of the financial aid arena and was recognized for her accomplishments as a "tireless advocate, inspiring role model, and dedicated leader who has provided generations of students with the opportunities to learn and grow," said Ned Watson, Regional Vice-President of Nelnet.

The Full Circle Award underscores Nelnet's commitment to borrowers and schools by seeking quality in every aspect of the financial aid process. Award recipients are selected based on criteria focusing on excellence in service to students in all areas that surround financial aid, including scholarship and aid determination, application, disbursement, exit counseling, and beyond.

According to the GC&SU Web site, "Student enrollment in 2002-2003 reached a total of 5,465 students, and of those students 60 percent received some form of financial aid." Buttram sees many of those students everyday. "For students who want to experience learning in a postsecondary environment, access to financial aid is crucial," Buttram said. She further explains, "As a financial aid administrator, I have a personal commitment to do everything possible to simplify the financial aid processes for students so that the cost of higher education is not a barrier."

Mr. Watson added, "For those of us who work with Suzanne, it is common knowledge that she possesses an indomitable spirit, an inner drive to help those in financial need, and a tireless pursuit of making financial aid a simple process for every student. Those qualities are hard to find in the complicated field of financial aid."

Ms. Buttram, who started out in banking before becoming a Financial Aid Officer, has received numerous honors, among them serving on countless university committees, and in July 2005 will take office as the President of the Georgia Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.

To nominate a Financial Aid Officer for the Full Circle Award, Nelnet school representatives, coworkers, or other college offices can write a one paragraph nomination letter outlining how the nominee exemplifies the criteria for the award, and e-mail it to nelnetcommunications@nelnet.net, or mail it to Nelnet Communications, Attn: Sheila Odom, 121 S. 13th St., Suite 400, Lincoln, NE 68508.