- The HEAG Team

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The Winds of Change: 10 Steps to Create a Change Management Plan for Your Financial Aid Office

Think back to the last time your office had to manage a major procedural change like FAFSA simplification or maybe you created a combined student services office. Having to completely overhaul a program is challenging. The more moving parts and the more people involved, the more you need a well-thought-out change management plan that incorporates all the steps needed to transition from point A to point B including notification, the people impacted, newly created skill gaps, and risk assessments. Here, we share our proposed outline for a workable change management plan when the change is mandated by a federal agency. Continue reading to see how your plan matches up to ours.

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 to Schedule a Meeting.

Advice for Financial Aid Managers – New, Experienced, and Aspiring

Most of us are not content to do the same job for our entire career, so we learn, grow and hope to earn more responsibilities by being promoted. At some point those new responsibilities may involve managing other people. Now you are not just accountable for your own work, but that of your entire team. It can be overwhelming, so we collected some tips from industry leaders to help you be the best manager you can be whenever you happen to become one. Continue reading to learn more.

What was your first job?

I worked at a paint store in high school and loved it. My favorite part of the job was matching colors and mixing paint. 

What do you enjoy most about your role with HEAG?

I enjoy that every assignment is different – both in terms of the work itself and the institutions we support. Each school has its own processes, challenges and priorities, which keeps the work engaging and provides opportunities to continually apply my experience in new ways.

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

When I’m not consulting, I enjoy spending time with my six-year-old son and our puppy Uno, who is named after our favorite game. You can also find me working out, running, and – when I can find the time – sewing. I currently have a quilt in the works.  

What is something few people know about you?

I was a Division II college Volleyball player. I don’t play anymore but still have a lot of interest in an athletic lifestyle. 

Consultant Spotlight

Bethany Fantasia

Tell us a little about yourself.

I have worked in higher education for 20 years in areas related to Student Services, Student Accounts, Financial Aid, Registrar and Admissions. I am very passionate about creating an administrative structure to foster a positive student experience while maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines. I love working in higher education and seeing students achieve their goals. 

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

I primarily serve as a consultant for some of HEAG’s newer Student Accounts services while also assisting with financial aid. In this role, I have processed drawdowns, assisted with FISAP completion, and presented information about financial aid regulations to a group of CFOs. 

One aspect I particularly enjoy is being able to leverage my crossover knowledge of both financial aid and student accounts. Having experience in both areas allows me to help institutions navigate processes that often intersect and ensure they remain compliant while operating efficiently.

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

HEAG is very dedicated to helping schools address financial aid staffing and knowledge gaps while maintaining a strong focus on compliance. As seasoned professionals, we all know that unexpected situations arise, and having a company like HEAG available to help during those times is a valuable resource. 

As an HEAG consultant, I’m encouraged to share my knowledge and expertise, and I truly enjoy being at a point in my career where I can help guide and support others in the field.

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

I would encourage schools to hire a consultant when there is a knowledge gap – for example, when a long term employee leaves and their expertise is suddenly missing. A consultant can quickly step in to help fill that gap while the hiring process is underway.

In financial aid, regulations and processes move quickly and change frequently, so it’s important that someone with up-to-date knowledge is guiding the work and ensuring compliance during periods of transition.