“Let’s Talk Financial Aid Fridays” are weekly Zoom sessions available to Stan State Students that help assist them with the Financial Aid process. Meetings are held by Christina Goodeill, the campus financial aid advisor, and take place every Friday from 1-2pm.
Students can access the Zoom link to these meetings on the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office page. 
Goodeill has served as Stan State’s Financial Aid Advisor for 7 years. Her office is located in the MSR building in suite 100.
She founded ”Let’s Talk Financial Aid Fridays” because of her desire to help students succeed and meet their academic goals. 
She wanted to provide students with an additional opportunity to receive one-on-one advising.
“This was due to the unprecedented remote learning challenges we faced during COVID, as I saw a need to increase student access to financial aid information and advising,” said Goodeill. 
During “Let’s Talk Financial Aid Fridays,” students can ask questions about any Financial Aid related matters and receive answers from Goodeill.
“Students can discuss a variety of financial aid topics that range from inquiring about their award amounts, and disbursements to discussing special and unique circumstances that often affect their Financial Aid eligibility,” said Goodeill. 
Goodeill believes that her “Let’s Talk Financial Aid Fridays” meetings have had a positive impact on the students she has assisted.
She implemented these meetings in hopes that she would help make the Financial Aid process as simple as possible for students who are applying for it.
“I understand that the financial aid process can be very confusing for students. It can often determine whether a student can afford to continue their education or not, so it can create a lot of stress for our students,” said Goodeill.
She provides students with the Financial Aid information that they need, but also shows her support towards their overall academic goals.
“I personally believe that earning a college degree is extremely important for lifelong success and fulfillment, so it’s very rewarding to be able to help our students achieve their educational goals,” added Goodeill.
Goodeill also recommends checking out the Financial Wellness Program, which provides education for many financial-related topics, such as student loan repayment, personal financing, credit, and budgeting.
Celeste Lemus (freshman, Pre-Nursing) is one of Stan State’s many students who has faced obstacles when applying for Financial Aid. 
Lemus recently applied for Financial Aid in December 2022 and she struggled during the process. 
“I feel like I still need help with my Financial Aid and it’s kinda hard because my mom also has Financial Aid and it was a hard process because if she can’t remember her password, then I can’t finish my process with Financial Aid,” said Lemus.
Shimen Sargizi Tapeh, (junior, Nursing) had also struggled at first with the Financial Aid application process. 
Her most recent time signing up for Financial Aid was in the fall of 2022.
“Since I have done the application before, I think that it was easy. But I remember the first time I applied with a counselor and it was a bit difficult, but as the years have gone and I’ve done it multiple times that it is a bit easier and more successful,” said Sargizi Tapeh. 
Recently, Sargizi Tapeh had questions regarding the Summer 2023 semester and if FAFSA would cover it. She was also curious about when her FASFA would be exhausted.
Because of her concerns, she recently attended one of Goodeill’s “Let’s Talk: Financial Aid Friday” meetings.
Since talking to Goodeill, Sargizi Tapeh feels more confident about her Financial Aid at Stan State.
“I would recommend these zoom meetings for anyone that is lost in applying for FAFSA, or even if they have questions about their current FAFSA,” said Sargizi Tapeh.
Check out @stanfinancialwellness on IG and the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office site to learn more about the Financial Aid services Stan State offers and for updates on upcoming Financial-related events.