COHEAO hosts two major student lending conferences each year. The Annual Conference is held every January in Washington, DC. The Mid-Year Conference alternates sites throughout the country. Both conferences attract members of Congress, representatives from the Department of Health and Human Services and others who are active in the education policy-making process.

COHEAO also sponsors workshops on a wide range of topics throughout the country. These workshops are open to the education community and specialists and experts are invited to participate. Past workshops covered institutional refund policies, administration of financial aid programs and analysis of important legislative developments. Additional focus groups, task forces and conferences addressed concerns related to the Perkins Loan, Stafford Loan, Federal Direct Student Loan and other various loan and grant programs.