Coffee with KHEAA

Coffee with KHEAA

By Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority KHEAAEducation
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Coffee with KHEAA episodes

  • How Kentucky Helped Stop FAFSA Fraud

    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.

    1 hr 10 min
  • Coffee with KHEAA Live from Detroit: The College Match Day Special

    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.

    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!

    51 min
  • Live @ KYACAC 2026

    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.

    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!

    1 hr 4 min
  • FAFSA Wins: Kentucky Makes the Top 10

    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!

    43 min
  • Snow Days & Student Loan Updates

    This episode of Coffee with KHEAA was recorded as a special virtual episode featuring Ellison Forker and discussed various educational and financial aid topics. The team shared personal stories about Christmas gifts, snow days, and Catherine O'Hara's passing, before diving into updates on student loan repayment, new loan limits for graduate students, and ongoing negotiations around workforce Pell grants. The episode concluded with an announcement that the podcast would be recorded live in front of an audience at the American College Application Campaign Convening in Detroit in April.

     

    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!

    1 hr 22 min
  • A Very Merry Coffee With KHEAA

    Coffee With KHEAA is back with a festive new episode! ☕🎄

    We’re welcoming our new Assistant Director, Brandi Forker, to the Coffee With KHEAA family and getting to know her a little better. Plus, we’re sharing what’s on our Christmas lists, catching up with Southern Kentucky Outreach Counselor MacKenzie Scroggy, and diving into important FAFSA updates and scholarship opportunities students and families should know about.

    It’s part holiday cheer, part helpful college-planning conversation, so grab your coffee and tune in!

    30 min
  • Kicking Off Season 2 of Coffee With KHEAA

    In this episode, Casi and Keith dive into some hot topics to keep you informed and prepared. They discuss important information about student loans, and some other hot topics in the finical aid world. Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this episode is full of timely updates and helpful tips. 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!

    45 min
  • Midsummer Quick Fire

    In this special midsummer episode, Casi and Keith dive into some hot topics to keep you informed and prepared. They discuss important information about student loan repayment, how to spot and avoid student loan scams, what’s coming up at the Kentucky State Fair, and the exciting debut of the brand-new College Info Roadshow bus.

    Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this quick episode is full of timely updates and helpful tips to guide you through the rest of the summer.

    Subscribe to stay up to date with college planning advice, financial aid tips, and KHEAA news.

    Learn more at kheaa.com

    26 min
  • Federal Grants & Big Updates: What You Need to Know

    In this episode of Coffee with KHEAA, we’re diving into key updates on federal grants that would have been awarded to KHEAA and what that means for our work moving forward. We also cover the latest updates from the U.S. Department of Education—presenting the facts without sharing personal opinions—so you can stay informed. Plus, we highlight upcoming scholarships and initiatives to help students maximize their financial aid

     

    Follow Us

     

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KHEAA

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykheaa

    https://www.instagram.com/kheaaoutreach

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kheaa

    X: https://twitter.com/KHEAA

     

    Check out https://linktr.ee/kheaa for more!

    37 min
  • New Year's Resolutions, KEES, and Pop Culture (with Dawson Arnold & Zach Smith)

    Welcome to Episode 21 of Coffee with KHEAA! In this episode, we sit down with Dawson Arnold, Central Kentucky Outreach Counselor, and Zach Smith to discuss New Year’s goals, FAFSA completion rates, KEES money, and even a fun round of pop culture myths or facts! Join us for this engaging and informative conversation to kick off the year right. Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more content on college planning, financial aid, and student success!

     

    Follow Us

     

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KHEAA

    Instagram: https://instagram.com/mykheaa

    https://www.instagram.com/kheaaoutreach

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/kheaa

    X: https://twitter.com/KHEAA

     

    Check out https://linktr.ee/kheaa for more!

    48 min

About Coffee with KHEAA

From the publisher's feed

Coffee with KHEAA is an educational series where our Director of Outreach, Casi Benedict and Assistant Director of Outreach, Brandi Forker, spill the beans on all the financial aid hot topics. Stay…