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Institute of Student Financial Aid Inc

EIN 58-2248174 · Decatur, GA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthGood73 out of 100GovernanceGood80 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

TO TRAIN, INFORM AND DIRECT HISTORICALLY BLACK COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (HBCUS') AND THE PUBLIC IN ALL AREAS OF STUDENT FINANCIAL AID LAWS AND REGULATIONS. TO ASSIST AND HELP OTHER NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATIONS IN UNDERSTANDING AND MAINTAINING SOUND INTERNAL FINANCIAL CONTROLS.

Income
$445,647
Spending
$257,159
Spent on programs
52%
Reserves
Over 10 years of spending
Largest source of income
government grants, 85%
Employees
1
Volunteers
15

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Good: 73 out of 100. Higher than 43% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Reserves

    35 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover more than ten years of spending.

  • Debt

    10 of 20

    It owes 46% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    15 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 42% of income.

  • Income trend

    5 of 15

    Income fell 18% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    8 of 15

    52% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Good: 80 out of 100. Higher than 66% of charities in its peer group (education, $250k to $1m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    0 of 10

    Did not give the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Independent check of accounts

    6 of 15

    Its accounts were not audited or reviewed by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (3)
  1. $2,359 spent. THE PURPOSE OF THIS ORGANIZATION IS TO INFORM, TRAIN, AND EDUCATE PARENTS AND STUDENTS IN THE AREA OF POST-SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES, PARTICULARLY MINORITY HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS AND FACULTY. ALSO ASSISTS HBCUS IN FINANCIAL AID ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES,TECHNICAL PROCEDURES AND REPRESENTATION OF INSTITUTIONS BEFORE GOVERNMENTAL AGENCIES. TO ESTABLISH FINANCIAL SYSTEMS AND ASSIST NON-PROFITS IN THE THE UNDERSTANDING OF ACCURATE AND PROPER FINANCIAL AND STATISTICAL REPORTING. TO ESTABLISH A FINANCIAL REPORTING MODEL FOR COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCIES IN THE SOUTHEAST AND THROUGHOUT THE UNITED STATES.
  2. $131,656 spent. TO ASSIST HBCU'S IN UNDERSTANDING AND MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TITLE IV REGULATIONS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AND CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE THE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND OTHERS IN THE AREA OF POST- SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES,PARTICULARLY MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.
  3. TO ASSIST HBCU'S IN UNDERSTANDING AND MAINTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE TITLE IV REGULATIONS OF THE HIGHER EDUCATION ACT AND CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS. TO TRAIN AND EDUCATE THE STUDENTS, PARENTS AND OTHERS IN THE AREA OF POST- SECONDARY EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES,PARTICULARLY MINORITY AND DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since April 1997.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.