Brenda Hicks

Position

Director of Financial Aid

Email Address

Brenda.Hicks@sckans.edu

Phone

620.229.6387

Fax

620.229.6245

Bio

OFFICE HOURS

I am typically available for walk-ins or appointments during regular office hours

EDUCATION

M.A. - Wichita State University, Organizational Communication
B.A. - Kansas State University, English, Creative Writing

NASFAA CREDENTIALS
Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC)
Administrative Capability, Campus Based Programs, Cash Management, Consumer Information, Cost of Attendance, Direct Loans, Need Analysis, Return to Title IV Funds, Student Eligibility, TEACH Grants, Verification

PUBLICATIONS

• Awaken the Wonder: Laying the Foundation, Westbow Press, 2017
• "10 on 10: Insights, Experiences, and Inspiration from Financial Aid Leaders," You're the Director, NASFAA, 2015
• "The Brave New World of Webinar Training," Student Aid Transcript, NASFAA, April 2010
• An Examination of the Life Cycle of Issues: Academic Accountability and Higher Education, Thesis, Elliott School of Communication, Spring 1996

DUTIES AT SOUTHWESTERN COLLEGE

A Director of Financial Aid organizes the work of the Office of Financial Aid.  Financial aid administrators help students achieve their educational potential by awarding and disbursing monetary resources.  The typical financial aid administrator wears many hats:

For Students & Families - We know what is available, who qualifies for aid, how aid is equitably distributed and the renewal requirements for subsequent years.  We help students file applications accurately and verify their eligibility for aid.  We assist students on a personal level with financial literacy and debt management and by mitigating unusual circumstances that might otherwise hinder a student's academic progress.

For Southwestern College - We help enroll and retain students connecting them to the resources they need to access or remain in school.  We facilitate the receipt, distribution and reporting of substantial sums of money to help students meet institutional costs.  We connect students to student employment opportunities on and off campus.  We ensure complliance with voluminous and detailed federal, state and local regulations and often coordinate campus-wide compliance and reporting requirement efforts.  We maintain membership in professional associations such as NASFAA which provide us opportunities for advocacy and training.

For the Community - We act as a resource for high school counselors and community based college access programs and initiatives.  We speak at college nights and other events to explain budgeting, financial literacy and financing an education beyond high school.  We serve as a resource for working adults who may have an interest in attending or completing college.

For Members of Congress - We offfer feedback on student aid legislation and proposals.  We provide financial aid success stories of our students.  We explain the financial aid needs and challenges of our students.  We supply statistics detailing the amount of federal aid that benefits our students.  We illustrate how compliance with certain existing and proposed federal regulations can hinder opportunities to assist and counsel students.

PROFESSIONAL INVOLVEMENT

• Past Chair, National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)
• Allen W. Purdy Distinquished Service Award & Leadership Award (NASFAA)
• Hall of Fame Meritorious Achievement Award, Kansas Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (KASFAA)
• Hall of Fame and Ron Smout Award for Teaching and Mentoring, Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (RMASFAA)

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT 
Third Grade Sunday School Teacher, First United Methodist Church
Faculty, Institute for Discipleship Children's Ministry Certificate
Friend, Winfield Public Library