Profiles in the Financial Aid Profession: Karen Cooper, Stanford University
Jon Potter: What are you most proud of with your financial aid office?
Karen Cooper: Commitment to need-based financial aid. This is a core value of the University.
Jon: What has been the biggest challenge for your office over the past 12 months?
Karen: Difficulty in maintaining technological resources.
Jon: Are there any primary or coming trends that you see in the financial aid office?
Karen: 1) Simplification of the financial aid process. 2) Helping students through the DL transition and assisting them in locating loans on different servicing platforms.
Jon: Do you have any tips for schools that are transitioning to Direct Lending?
Karen: Keep it simple.
Jon: Who within the financial aid community has been your mentor?
Karen: The Consortium on Financing Higher Education (COFHE).
Jon: Where do you think schools should focus their efforts with regard to default prevention strategies given the industry’s move to a 3-year CDR model?
Karen: Admit great students.
Jon: When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Karen: I wanted to be a teacher when I was a kid.
Jon: What do you like most about your job?
Karen: 1) The people I work with. 2) Having a major impact on people’s lives.
Jon: What is your favorite book, movie or food?
Karen: Mexican food.
Jon: Name one thing that many people do not know about you.
Karen: If I tell you, then people will know…
Jon: What is your favorite television show?
Karen: Chuck.