Coffee with KHEAA

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 results, simplified account creation, family FAFSA features, contributor invitations by text and upcoming renewal enhancements. The conversation also covers identity verification and fraud prevention, how Federal Student Aid is working with students and practitioners, and the importance of making the FAFSA easier and less intimidating.
Tune in for a behind-the-scenes conversation about the FAFSA, what’s changing and how these updates can help more students access financial aid and opportunities for college.

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, including income-based payments, interest protection, principal matching, forgiveness and Public Service Loan Forgiveness. They also discuss the importance of choosing a repayment plan based on your income, career path and loan balance.
Plus, the team talks about FAFSA beta testing, KHEAA’s partnership with Kentucky ACAC for the College Counselor Information Exchange, the upcoming Super Conference and some memorable stories from years of traveling for work.
Whether you’re a student, parent, counselor or financial aid professional, this episode is packed with information to help you better understand the changing student loan landscape.

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 FAFSA completion rates for the Class of 2026, changes to Kentucky’s Dual Credit Scholarship and the new 2.75 high school GPA requirement for earning KEES money.
Plus, the hosts share their favorite Kentucky State Fair foods and some unforgettable stories about carnival rides.
Whether you're here for the financial aid news or just want to hear a few laughs about summer in Kentucky, there's something for everyone in this special Coffee with KHEAA" episode. Subscribe to stay up to date with college planning advice, financial aid tips, and KHEAA news. Learn more at kheaa.com Follow us on Facebook
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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 twice-yearly outreach staff training and why ongoing professional development matters. Creative team projects and collaboration across Kentucky. The latest developments surrounding federal student loan legislation, negotiated rulemaking, and new repayment plan changes. Updates from the ACT Summit, including the recent acquisition of ACT by ETS. What borrowers should know about changing repayment options and why checking your StudentAid.gov account is more important than ever. Whether you're here for the financial aid news or just want to hear a few laughs about summer in Kentucky, there's something for everyone in this special "Cold Drinks with KHEAA" episode. Subscribe to stay up to date with college planning advice, financial aid tips, and KHEAA news. Learn more at kheaa.com 

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 laughs, insights, and meaningful conversations.
We discuss how Kentucky and Tennessee are working to improve college access, the biggest challenges students face when planning and paying for college, the growing role of direct admissions, and what the future of higher education could look like. Along the way, we compare programs in both states, share advice for students and families beginning the college planning process, and even hear some exciting news about a brand-new podcast launching from our friends in Tennessee.
Whether you're a student, parent, educator, counselor, or simply enjoy a fun conversation, this episode has something for everyone.
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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 continues supporting students year-round.
Plus, we kick things off with a fun coffee talk about everyone's favorite summer cookout foods, from hot dogs and potato salad to pasta salad and the great charcoal vs. gas grill debate!
Whether you're a student, parent, educator, or community partner, this episode highlights the many ways KHEAA Outreach is here to help, even when school isn't in session.

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 conversation also covers Kentucky's record breaking FAFSA completion rate, updates on Pell eligible workforce programs, and important changes coming to Kentucky Goes to College for the 2026-27 school year. Along the way, they share summer plans, memories of TGIF television nights, and plenty of the unscripted conversations Coffee with KHEAA listeners have come to expect. Learn more about Kentucky Goes to College at kygoestocollege.com.

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 juniors explore colleges through engaging, student-centered activities. From blind college match games and scavenger hunts to rap battles, snow cones, and live audience laughs, this episode highlights how schools across the country are rethinking college access and creating stronger college-going cultures for students. The group also discusses the importance of community partnerships, creativity in education, and how programs like College Match Day are helping students make informed decisions about their futures long before senior year. Plus, the crew debates the perfect Detroit coney dog order, shares behind-the-scenes podcast chaos, and records in front of Coffee with KHEAA’s very first live studio audience. Tune in for a fun, heartfelt conversation about college access, student engagement, and the power of meeting students where they are.
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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 talk all things Kentucky ACAC. It’s networking, nostalgia, and a little bit of “what did we just say?” all wrapped into one fun, on-location episode.
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Subscribe to stay up to date with college planning advice, financial aid tips, and KHEAA news. Learn more at kheaa.com
Follow us on
Facebook
https://www.facebook.com/KHEAA 
https://www.facebook.com/AdvantageEducationLoans 
https://www.facebook.com/ARCServicing
Instagram
https://instagram.com/mykheaa
https://instagram.com/kheaaoutreach
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kheaa
https://www.linkedin.com/company/kheslc
X
https://x.com/kheaa
Also check out https://linktr.ee/kheaa for more!