Following a national search, Sandra Oerly-Bennett has been named executive director of Financial Aid and Scholarships at West Virginia University. Bennett has more than 20 years of experience in college financial aid administration and holds a Master of Arts in higher education administration/educational leadership studies from WVU.

Oerly-Bennett has held several progressively responsible positions in the Financial Aid Office at Fairmont State University, culminating in the director’s position. In 2006, she became the director of Financial Aid at Shepherd University. Her role was expanded at Shepherd and in addition to director of Financial Aid, she was named the associate vice president for Enrollment Services. Additionally, Bennett has extensive experience in leadership roles in regional and state financial aid professional organizations and is currently serving her second term as chair of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission’s Student Financial Aid Advisory Board.

“I am excited to welcome Sandra to our Enrollment Management team at WVU,” said Associate Vice President for Enrollment Management Brenda Thompson. “Her years of experience in both financial aid administration and enrollment management will strengthen and enhance our efforts to attract and retain the very best students to West Virginia University.

“The cost of higher education and the level of indebtedness today’s students are incurring are very much at the forefront of many conversations across our state and our country. It is important that WVU have a seasoned veteran in place to guide the office through these challenging times.”

As Executive Director, Bennett will provide leadership in the administration of more than $400 million annually in student aid funds for all three campuses and will lead a staff of 40 employees. She will also be responsible for overseeing the implementation of aid policies and working closely with other University departments to facilitate timely and efficient processing of financial aid and scholarships. The Financial Aid and Scholarship offices are a part of the Enrollment Management unit within Academic Affairs.

“I join the Mountaineer community with enthusiasm and the goal to continue the great work already in place to eliminate financial barriers for students to pursue their educational dreams,” Bennett said. “An education from WVU is an extraordinary value and can be achieved with shared responsibility in financial wellness. I look forward to working with the University for the betterment of service to our students and state.”

Bennett began at WVU on May 1.

-WVU-

bt/6/24/14

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