- The HEAG Team

Contact us to learn more.

Student Loan Repayment: It’s Time to Update Your Exit Counseling Materials (Again) 

Student loan repayment is changing again, and two of the trickiest programs – Income-Driven Repayment (IDR) and Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) – are getting major updates. Now is the time to dig back into your exit counseling materials and update them so you’re ready to brief your December graduates. Our blog post outlines the key changes and what they mean for your students.

Student Accounts Vacancy Today?

Expert Coverage Tomorrow.

Managing student accounts efficiently and maintaining compliance are critical priorities for your institution. At HEAG, we specialize in providing seamless interim staffing solutions and comprehensive compliance assessments tailored specifically for college student accounts offices.

Our team offers:

 - Experienced interim staff to ensure uninterrupted operations

 - Expert compliance assessments to stay ahead of regulatory changes

 - Proven strategies to optimize your office’s efficiency and accuracy

 - Policy development and implementation

Whether you're looking to streamline operations, enhance compliance, or improve the student experience, our seasoned consultants are here to help.

Want to learn more or schedule a consultation? Visit heag.us or reach out to us directly to Schedule a Meeting.

Strengthening the Financial Aid Workforce –

A Values-Based Approach to Recruitment, Development and Retention

Financial aid offices are facing an unprecedented staffing crunch, with more than 80% of campuses reporting hiring and retention challenges. Reduced capacity can slow aid processing, raise compliance risks, and weaken support for students who rely on timely guidance. Our latest article outlines four strategic approaches to help institutions stabilize and strengthen their financial aid teams. Keep reading to learn how your campus can build a robust, sustainable recruitment pipeline.

What was your first job?

I worked at a children’s clothing store in a strip mall.

What do you enjoy most about your role with HEAG?

What I enjoy most is the opportunity to help schools strengthen their compliance processes so that students receive the correct aid they’re entitled to and can pursue their educational goals. I take pride in identifying and resolving compliance issues, ensuring institutions are responsible stewards of federal funds. Knowing that my work supports both program integrity and student success is especially rewarding.

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

I enjoy spending as much time as I can with my son who is currently attending Texas Tech University. I’m also a dog mom to an Alaskan Husky and enjoy traveling, reading, hiking and scrapbooking.

Consultant Spotlight

Kim Cox

Tell us a little about yourself.

I was born in Texas and have lived here for most of my life. I attended college in Louisiana, earning a degree in elementary education from Southeastern Louisiana University. After graduation, I returned to Texas and joined the Department of Education as an Institutional Review Specialist. I spent 17 years in that position before being promoted to Branch Chief in the Department’s Dallas regional office, where I led a team of Institutional Review Specialists responsible for monitoring Title IV compliance at more than 500 postsecondary institutions across a five-state region. In total, I spent 31 years working for the Department of Education.

What are some of the tasks you have excelled at as an FA consultant?

I recently partnered with another HEAG consultant to complete a compliance assessment for a community college – an engagement very similar to the program reviews I conducted during my time at the Department of Education. We analyzed the institution’s policies and procedures, identified potential compliance risks, and documented areas needing improvement.

Following the assessment, I was asked to join the college’s special projects team, where I am actively working to address the issues we identified. The work has been both challenging and rewarding, and it has allowed me to apply my expertise in Title IV compliance, policy evaluation, and process improvement to help the institution strengthen its financial aid operations.

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

Do your research. There are many companies offering financial aid consulting, and it’s important to find one that aligns with your institution’s specific needs. Look for a consultant whose expertise matches the scope of work you’re hiring for and who can meet your school’s needs.