Student Advisory Council on Financial Aid and Education (SACFAE)
Founded in 2015, the Associate Vice Chancellor’s Student Advisory Council on Financial Aid & Education provides a unique opportunity for motivated students to provide confidential advice to the Associate Vice Chancellor Financial Aid and Cal Student Central and other senior campus administrators on matters concerning financial aid, scholarships, affordability, basic needs and financial literacy. Council members help influence decisions that directly impact access and affordability at Cal.
What does SACFAE do?
Our student-led council provides space for various discussions on financial wellness and the factors that impact students’ everyday experiences. SACFAE advocates for financial literacy and basic needs, provides feedback to our financial aid administrators, and partners with the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) in the implementation and promotion of various improvements for students.
- Advisory Role: SACFAE members provide insights and feedback on how to improve the financial aid process and student experience during the monthly meetings.
- Financial Aid Action Committee (FAAC): The Financial Aid Action Committee (FAAC) is a subdivision of SACFAE whose charge is to conduct research and propose revised financial aid and/or operational policies and tackle financial literacy special projects. The group is also responsible for providing in-depth feedback, as requested, on certain functions of the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office and contributing to the end-of-the-year report from the council.
Why does SACFAE exist?
SACFAE is a rare opportunity for students to have a direct impact on their own student experience. In partnership with FASO, we are able to achieve change at student, policy, operational, and leadership levels. Topics we cover directly impact the student experience and we model a culture of working in good faith and reciprocity.
Who is involved?
SACFAE meetings consist of 20+ students from both undergraduate and graduate studies who work alongside Cruz Grimaldo, Associate Vice Chancellor and Director of Financial Aid. Additionally, a team of FASO professional staff regularly attend and engage with students to solicit feedback and suggestions on the multiple functional areas of FASO. We also bring in guest experts to speak on topics we are currently discussing. Previous guest speakers include representatives from the Basic Needs Center and Committee on Student Fees, Deputy Compliance Officer Special Faculty Advisor to the Chancellor on Campus Welfare Sharon Inkelas, Federal Government Relations Director Gina Daly, and more!
Contact Us
For more information or if you have questions, please contact us at SACFAE@berkeley.edu.
Council Leadership
Kailen Grottel-Brown, Chair
Rena Lu, Vice Chair
Cruz Grimaldo, Associate Vice Chancellor of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Cal Student Central
Jen Towers, Assistant Director of Staff & Student Engagement
Anne Xiong, Center for Financial Wellness Manager
Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) Leadership
Kerry Franzetta, Deputy Director and Senior Associate Director
Nicole LaGrandeur, Associate Director of Counseling and Federal & State Programs
Luis Rodriguez, Associate Director of Cal Student Central and Undergraduate Scholarships, Prizes, and Honors
Marcus Hill, Customer & Communication Strategist
Student Membership
Agatha Ramos Maher
Ali DeBoer
Amy Shi
Angela Huynh
Audrey Lim
David “Jacob” Lindy
Davina Yashar
Elizabeth Tjendra
Fario Martinez
Haider Ijaz
Isabelle Qian
Jake Lee
James Dau
Marlo De La Mora
Mia Zaragoza
Myroslava Fisun
Sabrina Kim (Sab)
Samantha Lindsay
Steven Luo
Tony Ordoukhanian
The application for the 2024-2025 academic year has now closed and will reopen in Fall 2025. If you’d like to receive an update when the application is live, please sign up for the Center for Financial Wellness Newsletter.
Council Leadership
Kailen Grottel-Brown, Chair
Rena Lu, Vice Chair
Cruz Grimaldo, Associate Vice Chancellor of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Cal Student Central
Jen Towers, Assistant Director of Staff & Student Engagement
Anne Xiong, Center for Financial Wellness Manager
Financial Aid and Scholarships Office (FASO) Leadership
Kerry Franzetta, Deputy Director and Senior Associate Director
Nicole LaGrandeur, Associate Director of Counseling and Federal & State Programs
Luis Rodriguez, Associate Director of Cal Student Central and Undergraduate Scholarships, Prizes, and Honors
Marcus Hill, Customer & Communication Strategist
Student Membership
Agatha Ramos Maher
Ali DeBoer
Amy Shi
Angela Huynh
Audrey Lim
David “Jacob” Lindy
Davina Yashar
Elizabeth Tjendra
Fario Martinez
Haider Ijaz
Isabelle Qian
Jake Lee
James Dau
Marlo De La Mora
Mia Zaragoza
Myroslava Fisun
Sabrina Kim (Sab)
Samantha Lindsay
Steven Luo
Tony Ordoukhanian
The application for the 2024-2025 academic year has now closed and will reopen in Fall 2025. If you’d like to receive an update when the application is live, please sign up for the Center for Financial Wellness Newsletter.