Meet the Staff

Associate Vice President of Financial Aid Phone: 630-844-6190
Text: 630-343-1940
Email: hgranart@aurora.eduEducation:
BA, Psychology, Aurora University
MS, Public Service Management, DePaul UniversityFinancial Aid Experience: Since July 1989

Financial Aid Counselor Phone: 630-844-6231
Text: 630-593-1559
Email: ebirch@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BA, Communication Studies, Northern Illinois UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) early. Stay organized. Think beyond freshman year and reapply. Look for additional grants and scholarships. Ask for more help if you need it. Financial Aid Experience: Since September 2012

Financial Aid Counselor
(Spanish speaker) Phone: 630-844-5422
Email: gcervantes@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BA, Psychology, Aurora UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: If you are a first-generation student or just don't know where to start, do not be afraid to set up an appointment with us! Over Zoom, phone, or in person, we will go over every aspect of the information you need to know to have financial success here at Aurora University. We can go over completing your FAFSA application, going over your financial aid offer letter, and what kind of documents you need to complete. Financial Aid Experience: Since January 2022

Director of Financial Aid and Operations Phone: 630-844-6533
Text: 630-343-6842
Email: kmday@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BS, Mathematics with Secondary Education, Aurora University
MBA, Leadership Concentration, Aurora UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Make sure to complete all financial aid steps as soon as possible. You can view your financial aid checklist on your Self-Service account.Financial Aid Experience: Since May 2014

Senior Financial Aid Counselor Phone: 630-844-5141
Text: 630-343-0611
Email: jhernandez@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BA, Psychology, Northern Illinois University
M.Ad.Ed., National-Louis UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Participating in the Federal Work-study Program is a great way for students with financial need to earn a paycheck to help pay for college expenses, while gaining relevant work experience.Financial Aid Experience: Since November 2010

Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Phone: 630-844-3684
Text: 630-343-6835
Email: ahostetler@aurora.eduI advise: Graduate students, online students, and military connected students.Education:
BS, Sociology, Illinois State University
MA, Organizational Leadership, Higher Education Student Services, Lewis UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: If you are a new veteran or military student looking to use a benefit, please contact me as soon as you can. And remember, if you add or drop a class after the semester begins, come see me to discuss!Financial Aid Experience: Since November 2011

Financial Aid Assistant
(Spanish speaker) Phone: 630-844-7821
Email: rnunez@aurora.eduI provide: customer service to everyone by answering phone calls and responding to emails with any questions that you may have.Education:
Massage Therapist, 1st Choice InternationalFinancial Aid Advice: Please be sure to have your photo ID with you when discussing specific financial aid information or when dropping off any paperwork.Financial Aid Experience: Since August 2011

Assistant Director of Financial Aid Phone: 630-844-7520
Text: 630-538-7782
Email: mobryan@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BA, Corporate/Organizational Communication Studies, Northern Illinois University
MBA, Northern Illinois UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible and don't hesitate to ever reach out with any questions you may have.Financial Aid Experience: Since May 2018

Financial Aid Counselor
(Spanish speaker) Phone: 630-844-6151
Text: 630-343-1970
Email: cpicchetti@aurora.eduI advise: Aurora campus undergraduate students.Education:
BA, English, University of IllinoisFinancial Aid Advice: Stay on top of your Self-Service account and make sure to complete any outstanding items as soon as possible.Financial Aid Experience: Since January 2024

Financial Aid Counselor Phone: 630-844-5145
Text: 630-703-1167
Email: elesiasmith@aurora.eduI advise: Online students.Education:
BA, Sociology, Western Kentucky University
MS, Conflict Management, Sullivan UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Just like your class assignments, paying attention to deadlines is an important detail of the financial aid process.Financial Aid Experience: Since January 2020

Financial Aid Counselor Phone: 630-844-6193
Text: 630-884-4310
Email: jsnyder@aurora.eduI advise: Online undergraduate students.Education:
BA, History/Social Studies for Secondary Education, Illinois State UniversityFinancial Aid Advice: Be sure to check your financial aid Self-Service regularly to stay on top of required documents and changes to your offer letter! The sooner you turn in those documents, the better off you will be.Financial Aid Experience: Since April 2023