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Segmental Resources - Independent Colleges/Universities

Independent Segmental Representative

Cora Manuel

Associate Director of Financial Aid
Samuel Merritt University
[email protected]

  

 

Do you have questions about best practices or solving a problem? Want to share what’s happening on your campus? Have a suggestions for CASFAA? Let us know!

2025 Committee Members

Rita Jo Maeda
Associate Director of Financial Aid Systems, Mount Saint Mary’s University

 

Brad Soriano
Senior Financial Aid Officer
Point Loma Nazarene University

Perla Olguin
Financial Aid Counselor 1
Mt. Saint Mary’s University

 Terrence Pratt
Asst. Dir., Financial Aid
Mt. Saint Mary’s University
 Shondra Dickson
Director, Financial Aid
Simpson University		  Erik Rose
Financial Aid Counselor
Stanford University
 Horacio Enriquez
Exec. Dir., Financial Aid
University of Santa Clara		  Lynna Lei
Financial Aid Counselor
University of San Francisco
 Breauna Eyer
Financial Aid Assistant
Claremont Mckenna College		  Alexxis Saucedo
Grad. Fin Aid Counselor
Chapman University
 Esther Kinzer
Sr. Assoc. Director, SFS
La Sierra University

Kellie Gaines
Director, Financial Aid
La Sierra University
 Roslyn Short
Assoc. Dir., Financial Aid
Northeastern University		  Anna Hayman
Fin Aid Specialist/Coordinator
University of San Diego
Ruby Chiu
Customer Service Coordinator
Northeastern University		 Angelika Williams, Ph.D
Assistant Vice Provost, Student Financial Services
University of San Francisco
 

How long does it take to become the CASFAA Independent Segmental Representative? For me, it took over 24 years to take the leap of faith, along with timing as I traverse the twists and turns of a career I cannot truly leave. My name is Cora Manuel and most of you know me from the annual CASFAA conferences at the registration desk welcoming you with your name badge. Some of you recall my short term at CSAC, visiting the schools for personal training for your team.

It is my hope to continue the work to gather and represent the independent college aid administrators. The first meeting of the committee began with introductions, discussing past goals, and started the wish list for this year.

During our February meeting, we discussed many of the 2025-2026 California Legislation bills that may impact our independent segment. For example, AB-402 Student financial aid: Cal Grant Program and the California Community College Expanded Entitlement Program seeks to increase new Cal Grant A and B “conditioned on the achievement of the target numbers for associate degree for transfer commitments that apply for the prior award year” and “authorize a student who receives a California Community College Expanded Entitlement Award and who subsequently transfers to an independent institution of higher education to remain eligible to receive the award…”

Please make sure you review the article by Jason Choi, CASFAA VP of State Issues, for a list of all the 2025-2026 bills. The CASFAA Executive Committee will be meeting with several legislators to discuss those bills that directly impact financial aid at the CASFAA’s Day at the Capitol (DATC) on March 24th. If you are interested in helping or joining, email [email protected].

Our small and mighty group would love to have you join us to map possible virtual training opportunities or gatherings.

Feel free to contact me at [email protected] with your thoughts or questions, and hope to see you at Day at the Capitol!

Sending positive vibes!

Cora Manuel,
CASFAA Independent Segmental Representative

Upcoming Events

Annual Conference: December 14-16 in Monterey

Past Events

 

What’s Happening On Your Campus

If you have anything you would like to share, please let us know.

 Resources

Find Your California Legislator

The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU) provides information about its 80 member institutions and information about advocacy and policy issues at the state level.

The National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities represents member institutions on federal policy issues related to higher education. 

California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)

National Association of Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA)

Western Association of Financial Aid Administrators (WASFAA)

The University and College Accountability Network (UCAN Network) is a website sponsored by the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities to provide consumer information about independent schools.
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