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. 

For questions regarding your financial aid, please contact Cal Student Central for assistance.


Council Leadership

Ali DeBoer, Co-Chair

Haider Ijaz, Co-Chair

Cruz Grimaldo, Associate Vice Chancellor of Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Cal Student Central 

Jen Towers, Assistant Director of Staff & Student Engagement, and the Center for Financial Wellness

 
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

Angela Huynh

Audrey Lim

David “Jacob” Lindy

Elizabeth Tjendra

Fario Martinez

Jackson Ribler

Jenna Gibson

Mia Zaragoza

Nathaniel Gallardo

Nayan Vel

Sabrina Kim (Sab)

Samantha Lindsay

Steven Luo

Wenqing Li

 

The application for the 2025-26 academic year has now closed and will reopen in Fall 2026. If you’d like to receive an update when the application is live, please sign up for the monthly Financial Aid & Scholarships Newsletter. 

 

Financial Aid and Scholarships Office

Center for Financial Wellness

Cal Student Central