Higher Education Assistance Group
News & Insights
Greetings!

We hope you are enjoying a great spring semester. It's hard to believe the academic year is almost over and that we are now more than two years into the pandemic. While most mandates have been lifted and many colleges and universities have re-instated pre-pandemic activities, many financial aid offices are still navigating the nuances of a remote and/or hybrid workforce, which can make providing a first-rate customer experience challenging, especially when there are so many demands on the financial aid office.

If your institution is facing challenges or needs help due to additional demand, HEAG consultants have the experience to seamlessly integrate with your staff and take on any type of financial aid work or special projects. If you run into any unexpected issues or need help with in-person or remote staffing, don’t hesitate to contact us. We also offer full financial aid support and outsourcing.

-The HEAG Team
What's the Big Deal with Draft CDR?

FY 2019 draft CDR rates were distributed on February 28, 2022. The draft period gives institutions the opportunity to review and identify incorrect loan data reported to NSLDS. Why does this matter? Read on to find out!
Full Financial Aid Support & Outsourcing

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 HEAG 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. Contact us today to find out how we can help you.
Draft CDR: Reviewing and Resolving Errors
As discussed in our first article above, Federal Student Aid (FSA) announced the distribution of schools’ eCDR packages in February and provided the schedule for challenging incorrect data. Schools have 45 days from March 8, 2022, to file, and loan servicers, known as data managers in this process, have 30 days to respond.

If you haven't started your review, here are some initial steps to take before beginning .
Consultant Spotlight
What do you enjoy most about your current role with HEAG?

I love that I can utilize my knowledge and skills from past work experiences to help each client with their needs. Each client is unique in their financial aid processes, which allows me to learn something new every day.

What was your first job?

My first job was at my local city swimming school where I was a lifeguard and I taught kids to swim.

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

What makes HEAG special is the people who work there. We all have different experiences and skills in financial aid so as a whole we are a very knowledgeable company. This lets us deliver value to our clients and allows HEAG staff to learn from each other.
Clara Rosas
How long have you been with HEAG?

I have been working with HEAG for six months.

Tell us a little about yourself.

I am originally from California but now live in New Jersey. I am married with two kids ages four and six. I have worked professionally in the financial aid sector since 2010. My passion is counseling students on default loan prevention and responsible borrowing. It can be quite scary going into repayment but with the right advice, you can really help students make responsible choices. 

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

I have worked closely with the client and existing students, often at the problem resolution phase, where I have excelled at making sure the client's needs and the student's needs and issues are being met. I have also excelled in loan counseling. I love being able to counsel students and fully explain how much they are borrowing and what options they have available to them after graduation.

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

When bringing in a consultant be honest and open about what works well and, more importantly, what is not working well so the consultant can help you solve the pain points and help guide your financial aid department. If you hire a consultant, be sure to listen to their advice. We are here to help you succeed!

What is something few people know about you?

In college, I took an Arabic course. While I’m not fluent in Arabic, I can read and write.

When you aren't consulting what other hobbies and interests do you have?

When I am not consulting, I love to travel. I really enjoy exploring NYC and trying new foods.
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