Coffee with KHEAA

Welcome to another episode of Coffee with KHEAA! In this episode, we’re joined by Bill DeBaun and Alessandra Cipriani-Detres from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) to discuss the work being done to expand access to higher education and help more students achieve their college and career goals. From college access and affordability to FAFSA completion and student success, NCAN works wi...

Join Casi Benedict and the KHEAA Outreach team for a special edition of Coffee with KHEAA, recorded live from the National College Attainment Network (NCAN) Conference in Las Vegas! Casi is joined by Brandon Brown, Zach Smith and Montanna McClain to recap their conference experience, share their biggest takeaways and discuss what Kentucky is doing to support students on their paths to higher educa...

What does it really take to stand out in the college admissions process? In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Casi and Brandi sit down with school counselor, educational leader, author and college access advocate Priscilla Grijalva to talk about what students and families should know when preparing for life after high school. Priscilla shares insight from her experience as a college admissions re...

The FAFSA is now open! On this special episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Casi and Brandi sit down with Neeta Sonalkar, Executive Director of the FAFSA Program at Federal Student Aid, to talk about what’s new for the 2027–28 FAFSA and what students, families and college access professionals need to know. Neeta shares updates on the latest FAFSA improvements, including open beta testing, real-time resul...

What’s the difference between the new Repayment Assistance Plan and the Tiered Standard Repayment Plan? Which plan might make sense for different borrowers? And what should students and families know before choosing how they’ll repay their federal student loans? In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Casi Benedict, Brandi Forker and Connor Vogt dive into the newest student loan repayment options, i...

In this special Kentucky State Fair episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Casi and Brandi take the podcast outside the office for a conversation filled with fair food, questionable carnival rides and important updates for students and families. They discuss FAFSA beta testing and what to expect ahead of the full FAFSA launch, new federal student loan limits and professional degree definitions, record FAFS...

This special summer edition of Coffee with KHEAA comes to you from our annual outreach staff training at the lake—where the coffee has been replaced with cold drinks! Cassie and Brandy share a fun conversation about favorite summer memories, ice cream, pools, and all things Kentucky before diving into important updates for students and families. In this episode, we discuss: What happens at KHEAA's...

Grab a cup of coffee and join us for one of our most entertaining episodes yet! This month, we're joined by our friends from the Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) for a conversation that's equal parts higher education and hilarious detours. From Garth Brooks and Nashville stories to direct admissions, FAFSA, Tennessee Promise, and the future of college, this episode is packed with laugh...

This week on Coffee with KHEAA, we're giving you a behind-the-scenes look at what KHEAA Outreach does during the summer months. While schools may be out, our Outreach Counselors are still hard at work helping students, families, and communities across Kentucky. From library story times and summer camps to college orientations and FAFSA assistance, we discuss how our team stays connected and contin...

In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Cassi Benedict and Brandi Forker discuss one of the biggest FAFSA stories of the year and how Kentucky counselors helped identify widespread FAFSA fraud. They explain how the issue was first discovered, what students and families experienced, and how new fraud detection tools are now helping prevent fraudulent FAFSA filings and financial aid disbursements. The...

In this special live episode of Coffee with KHEAA, Cassi and Brandi take the podcast on the road to the American College Application Campaign Convening in Detroit, Michigan. Joined by Lisa Summer King from the American College Application Campaign and Ashley Johnson from the Kresge Foundation, the team dives into the creation and impact of College Match Day, an initiative helping high school junio...

Broadcasting live (and a little chaotic) from the Kentucky ACAC 2026 Conference in Lexington, this episode of Coffee with KHEAA brings the energy, laughs, and real talk. From hilarious conference memories and behind-the-scenes moments to meaningful conversations about college access, partnerships, and what’s ahead for students, the team is joined by special guests Nate Cox and Charity Ferguson to...

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This episode of Coffee with KHEAA was recorded as a special virtual episode featuring Ellison Forker and discussed various educational and financial aid topics. The team shared personal stories about Christmas gifts, snow days, and Catherine O'Hara's passing, before diving into updates on student loan repayment, new loan limits for graduate students, and ongoing negotiations around workforce Pell...

Coffee With KHEAA is back with a festive new episode! ☕🎄 We’re welcoming our new Assistant Director, Brandi Forker, to the Coffee With KHEAA family and getting to know her a little better. Plus, we’re sharing what’s on our Christmas lists, catching up with Southern Kentucky Outreach Counselor MacKenzie Scroggy, and diving into important FAFSA updates and scholarship opportunities students and fa...

In this episode, Casi and Keith dive into some hot topics to keep you informed and prepared. They discuss important information about student loans, and some other hot topics in the finical aid world. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this episode is full of timely updates and helpful tips. Subscribe to stay up to date with college planning advice, financial aid tips, and KHEAA news....

In this special midsummer episode, Casi and Keith dive into some hot topics to keep you informed and prepared. They discuss important information about student loan repayment, how to spot and avoid student loan scams, what’s coming up at the Kentucky State Fair, and the exciting debut of the brand-new College Info Roadshow bus. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this quick episode is f...

In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, we’re diving into key updates on federal grants that would have been awarded to KHEAA and what that means for our work moving forward. We also cover the latest updates from the U.S. Department of Education—presenting the facts without sharing personal opinions—so you can stay informed. Plus, we highlight upcoming scholarships and initiatives to help students m...

Welcome to Episode 21 of Coffee with KHEAA! In this episode, we sit down with Dawson Arnold, Central Kentucky Outreach Counselor, and Zach Smith to discuss New Year’s goals, FAFSA completion rates, KEES money, and even a fun round of pop culture myths or facts! Join us for this engaging and informative conversation to kick off the year right. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more c...

In this episode Keith is joined by Outreach Counselor Jessica Gray! Together they discuss the launch of the FAFSA, and what you will or will not see while filling it out!   Follow Us   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KHEAA Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykheaa https://www.instagram.com/kheaaoutreach LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kheaa X: https://twitter.com/KHEAA   Check out htt...

In this episode of Coffee With KHEAA, we’re breaking down key updates in the world of FAFSA, including our involvement as the only state agency participating in the 25-56 FAFSA Beta Testing. We discuss how colleges are already receiving Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs) from the beta testing, and updates on students filing whose parents have no social security number. The FAFSA wil...

Join us for a special Halloween-themed episode of Coffee With KHEAA! This time, we’re talking about the 25-26 FAFSA and why there’s nothing to worry about. We'll break down the process, share tips for tackling it with confidence, and show you how easy it can be to get started. Grab your coffee and get ready to tackle your FAFSA questions—fear-free!   Follow Us   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/...

Join hosts Casi as they recap the highlights of a bustling summer filled with FAFSA bootcamps, tailgates, and innovative outreach initiatives! In this episode, they sit down with outreach counselor Connor Vogt to dive into the successes and challenges of the season. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, you’ll gain valuable insights into the FAFSA process and discover how KHEAA is making...

In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, join Casi and Keith as they reflect on their first year as Director and Assistant Director of Outreach Services. They'll share insights on their experiences, discuss the highlights of their journey, and celebrate the incredible work of each KHEAA Outreach Counselor. Tune in for an inside look at how the Outreach team is making a difference across the state!  ...

Join us for a special live episode of Coffee With KHEAA, filmed during the KHEAA FAFSAthon at the KY Castle in Versailles, KY! In this episode, we dive into the excitement of the FAFSAthon event, where students and families are getting expert assistance with the 2024-25 FAFSA.   Follow Us   Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KHEAA Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykheaa https://www.instagram.com/...