Judy Cuellar, Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts at Schreiner University

Judy Cuellar, Director of Financial Aid and Student Accounts at Schreiner University, has earned the FAAC® designation from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators’ accredited Certified Financial Aid Administrator® (CFAA) Program.

With the ongoing regulatory changes to Federal Student Aid and the increasing demand for funding education, it is beneficial to have this level of expertise represented on campus, according to Dr. Lucien Robert Costley, Vice President for Planning and Finance and CFO.

“The vast majority of our students and families rely on some sort of financial assistance such as the Hill Country College Fund, Institutional Scholarships, and state and federal student aid programs,” Costley said. “Judy is very passionate about navigating this complex world and remains steadfast in providing the best financial strategies to our students and families as they pursue their degree at Schreiner University so that they can achieve a better future. We applaud her efforts and celebrate this accomplishment with her.”

Cuellar joins 300 financial aid professionals who earned the FAAC designation after successfully passing a comprehensive knowledge exam and affirming commitment to the standards of ethical behavior that have long been a hallmark of the financial aid profession.

Cuellar started in the student financial aid industry in 2005 and has worked for three private universities. She has been with Schreiner University Financial Services for three years, and has long-time ties to the community, as she is a Tivy High School graduate.

The CFAA Program validates the skills and knowledge of financial aid professionals at postsecondary institutions nationwide, according to Justin Draeger, President & CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA).

“Financial aid administrators are entrusted with significant responsibility, ranging from ensuring college access for students to protecting the reputation of an institution and maintaining the integrity of federal financial aid programs,” Draeger said. “The FAAC designation affirms the commitment not only to those responsibilities, but also a commitment to uphold the highest ethical standards.”

NASFAA is a nonprofit membership organization that represents more than 29,000 financial aid professionals at approximately 3,000 colleges, universities, and career schools across the country.

More information about the certification program may be found at nasfaa.org/certification_overview, or by contacting NASFAA’s certification program staff via email at certification@nasfaa.org.