Kristen Gast
Independent Consultant
With senior leadership experience in higher education enrollment and student services, Kristen has served as Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Student Services and Director of Financial Aid, bringing a strategic, compliance-driven approach to financial aid administration.
Her expertise spans Title IV compliance, financial aid operations, and systems leadership, with hands-on experience overseeing verification, Return to Title IV (R2T4), reconciliation, packaging, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP). She has managed all Title IV programs, along with institutional scholarships and Federal Work-Study, and has led federal and state regulatory reporting, including FISAP, IPEDS, and eApps.
She is proficient in major student information and financial aid systems, including Banner, Colleague, and CampusLogic, and has partnered closely with Admissions, Registrar, and Advancement teams to align enrollment strategy, compliance, and student support.
A recognized leader in the financial aid community, she previously served as President of WYASFAA, contributed to the RMASFAA Summer Institute Committee, and has held committee roles with OASFAA, GASFAA, and WYASFAA. She was nominated for a NASFAA Gold Star, has presented at NASFAA, is scheduled as an Ellucian presenter in 2026, and has been featured in University Business Magazine.
She holds a degree in Communications from Austin Peay State University and is a U.S. Navy Veteran, bringing a disciplined, mission-focused leadership style to her consulting work.