Director of Operations
cdemchak@heag.uss
Cathy is a financial aid professional with over twenty years of experience. Her areas of specialization include Title IV compliance, training, and consulting. When she began her financial aid career, she quickly learned that her work could make a difference, not just in the lives of students, but for the University and for the financial aid profession as well. She is devoted to sharing her knowledge and insight with her colleagues and clients.
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Prior to joining the Higher Education Assistance Group, she worked as a Supervisor for a CPA firm in the Audit Department. While there she provided clients with a full range of services including, Title IV compliance audits, documentation reviews and Title IV consulting. As an auditor, she helped her clients navigate through changing federal regulations to allow them to focus on their students.
For most of her financial aid career, she worked at a large private not-for-profit university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in progressing roles. During her time there, she managed various processes and procedures in the day-to-day operations of the financial aid office. She has extensive experience in researching and interpreting regulations that govern the Federal Student Aid programs. She has experience working with many enrollment services departments like admissions, registrar, student accounts and academic advising.
She is a Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (FAAC®). This designation attests to her years of industry-related experience and affirms her commitment to exemplify the highest level of ethical behavior and professionalism.
She has experience with many Financial Aid Management systems such as, Banner, Campus Ivy, CampusNexus, CampusVue, PowerFAIDS, and Regent, as well as many federal systems like NSLDS, COD, CPS, and EDConnect.
She is an active member of the Pennsylvania Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (PASFAA); New York Student Financial Aid Administrators Association (NYSFAAA); Eastern Association of Financial Aid Administrators (EASFAA); and National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA). She has volunteered to serve on many committees within these organizations and has been invited to present on financial aid topics numerous times.
She earned a Master of Education in Higher Education from Penn State University; a Bachelor of Science in Labor Studies and Employment Relations from Penn State University; and an Associate Degree in Business Management from Community College of Allegheny County.
Outside of the office, Cathy enjoys spending time with her family and friends. She also enjoys volunteering for various non-profit organizations that range from human services to environmental-related services.
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