, Get the Latest Financial Aid News in HEAG's December Newsletter

News & Insights

Hello Krystyna,

It's been another challenging year for financial aid offices and the overwhelming changes continue to be a big topic of conversation – from the new FAFSA form to new need analysis calculations to new regulations for Gainful Employment requirements. If your institution is facing challenges, or needs help with Title IV compliance support, remote or interim staffing, financial aid support and outsourcing, or other FA projects, please contact us.

Our seasoned consultants have the experience to seamlessly integrate with your staff and take on any type of financial aid work or special projects. Check out our exciting news below about the launch of our AI tool, ReggieAI, which will streamline the Title IV compliance process and significantly benefit our college and university clients.

-The HEAG Team

HEAG Launches Innovative AI Tool to Assist Financial Aid Professionals

The Higher Education Assistance Group (HEAG), a leader in Title IV Financial Aid consulting and outsourcing, is thrilled to announce the launch of its groundbreaking new AI tool, ReggieAI. Designed for our consulting staff, ReggieAI will provide quick, accurate, and detailed answers to specific Title IV Financial Aid processing questions that will streamline the Title IV compliance process and significantly benefit our college and university clients. This robust, cutting-edge technology promises to save HEAG consultants valuable time in finding the answers to complex Title IV regulatory questions.

Keep reading to learn more about ReggieAI and contact us for more information.

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New Resources, Technical Fixes and Key Updates for the 2025-26 FAFSA Cycle: A Guide for Financial Aid Administrators

This year, the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) has enhanced the FAFSA experience, following the feedback and concerns expressed from last year’s rollout, as well as the initial Beta Testing that occurred in October 2024. As we continue to assess the effects of the timely December 1 release of the 2025-26 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it is important to detail the different resources, updates, and technical improvements that DOE has made available so that financial aid professionals are better prepared to support students and families this cycle.

Keep reading to learn about key updates, new resources and technical fixes.

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Full Financial Aid Support & Outsourcing

Let us become your financial aid office

Today’s financial aid offices are busier than ever. With numerous regulations and deadlines, financial aid administration can be overwhelming and filled with challenges. Many of our clients turn to us to provide full financial aid outsourcing services. We handle everything from the back-end operations to front-facing customer service for students and their families. Our consultants are highly trained and handle all aspects of compliance while providing timely responses and top-notch customer service.

Interested in outsourcing your institution's financial aid services? Keep reading to learn more and contact us for more information.

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5 Ways Financial Aid Advisors Can Help Students Maximize Scholarship Opportunities

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As financial aid professionals, we know that helping students afford college is at the core of our mission. While institutional aid, federal loans, and grants are essential, many students still face significant funding gaps. One powerful way financial aid offices can support students is by guiding them along the process of finding, applying to, and securing external scholarships, internal scholarships from alumni donors, and employee-funded scholarship opportunities.

Keep reading for five tips financial aid officials can take to proactively help students secure these critical resources.

Consultant Spotlight

How long have you been with HEAG?

I have been working with HEAG for two and a half years.

What was your first job?

My first job at the age of 14 was an Office Assistant at a high school.

What do you enjoy most about your current role with HEAG?

I enjoy assisting schools with any deficiencies they are experiencing regarding management and financial aid processes.

When you’re not consulting, what other hobbies/interests do you have?

I like to binge-watch television programs. I am also a foodie and love to try and experience new foods.

Deborah Stanley

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am a native of Baltimore MD, where I currently reside. I began my career in Financial Aid as a work-study student. I didn’t choose this career, but it chose me. I worked every summer and every break in the Financial Aid office and was hired as a Financial Counselor upon graduation. I always wanted to know a little bit about every program to help build up my FA skill set as I continued to grow within the profession. This paid off as I went from an FWS student to a Director of Financial Aid at my alma mater.

What are some of the FA tasks you have performed and excelled at?

I have completed file reviews for an HCM2 school, handled staff assessments, and most recently served as Interim Director of Financial Aid at a school where the team and I were able to make great strides, including preparing financial aid offers, disbursing aid, SAP reviews and appeals, and reconciliation of programs.

What advice would you give to a school looking to bring in an FA consultant?

Find a consultant that is the best fit for your school and understand that their goal is to help your organization and its students.

What makes HEAG unique or special compared to your work experiences elsewhere?

HEAG is unique because my expertise and those of other HEAG consultants are uniquely matched with clients' needs. I also have a network of consultants with skills who can serve as resources.

What is something few people know about you?

I love watching true crime shows.

617.928.1975 I www.heag.us I info@HEAG.us