Brandi Blanton
Director of Financial Aid
Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine of Rowan University
EASFAA

Meet Brandi Blanton, 2025-26 Diversity Leadership Program Class.

Brandi is a dedicated leader, serving as the inaugural director of financial aid at the Shreiber School of Veterinary Medicine at Rowan University, New Jersey’s first veterinary school. In this role, she has created policies, resources, and programs that prioritize access and student support.

A first-generation college graduate who earned her master’s degree as a single mother during the pandemic, Brandi brings firsthand experience of balancing school, family, and financial pressures to her work. That perspective fuels her commitment to equity and access initiatives that help first-generation, underrepresented, and low-income students.

“I am passionate about what we do! I know what it’s like to navigate higher education without a roadmap,” Brandi said. “These experiences, combined with the stories I hear from students every day, fuel my commitment to help others access education without fear or confusion about cost.” 

Brandi’s commitment to mentorship expands beyond the aid office. She serves on the advisory board for Rowan’s Women’s Alliance Network and recently founded her fourth on-campus food pantry. Looking ahead, Brandi plans to expand her impact through financial aid advocacy and leadership opportunities that allow her to drive systemic change. 

Learn more about Brandi in the brief Q&A below.

1. How did you get your start in financial aid?

My first full-time role was in higher education when I moved to California after earning my bachelor’s degree. When I later returned to the East Coast, higher education was the industry I knew best, so this was an environment I felt very comfortable in.  

Being a financial aid recipient, I was familiar with the basics and paired that with the other transferable skills I gained along the way. I accepted the role as a financial aid officer, and that’s where I began learning the field. Although that institution is no longer in business, the professional relationships I built there helped shape my career. 

2. What have been some of the most significant milestones in your financial aid career, and how have they shaped your perspective on the profession? 

Early on, I received the first-ever Service Star Award from the Rowan University Financial Aid Office for my commitment to student-centered customer service. Later, I earned a Personal Finance Educator Certification and became Rowan’s first Financial Literacy Specialist.

While working full-time in the financial aid office, I earned my master’s degree and completed and published my graduate thesis during the pandemic. That season deepened my appreciation for the determination and resilience of students, because I was living it right alongside them. 

Most recently, I became the inaugural director of financial aid at New Jersey’s first veterinary medical school. Building a new office and shaping the student experience from day one has been both a privilege and a powerful learning opportunity. I have also been privileged to help launch and operate four college campus food pantries — work I am deeply passionate about. 

3. What’s a challenge within financial aid that you personally have overcome that you're proud of?

One challenge I’m proud of overcoming is streamlining complex processes in scholarship management and Federal Work Study. I helped take manual and complex processes in a new direction by redesigning workflows, improving communication, and creating clearer guidance for both students and staff. These changes helped reduce processing time, improve accuracy, and increase equity.

4. What change would you like to see in financial aid?

I would like to see federal financial aid evolve to support professional students in a more sustainable manner. Right now, the Student Aid Report (SAR) only displays aid estimates for graduate student levels ($20,500). This leads to lots of confusion and panic for professional students entering high-cost programs. As tuition continues to rise, we must develop more affordable options for students outside of loans. The high debt often pushes graduates away from high need areas like rural practice, primary care, and public service. 

The cost of attendance must reflect real life. Graduate and professional students often relocate for school. Most apartment leases are for a full year but living expenses are packaged for the academic year. This leaves students in a deficit before they start. They should have 12 months of living expenses included in their cost of attendance. Students with children (the majority are women) should have food for children included in their cost of attendance without additional barriers. Being a student-parent is difficult enough. 

5. How does your perspective impact how you do your job and approach financial aid?

I am a first-generation college graduate, and I also earned my master’s degree as a single mother during the pandemic while working full time. I know firsthand what it’s like to juggle school, family responsibilities, and financial pressures all at once. 

As a result of my lived experiences, I lead with empathy, understanding, and authenticity that students appreciate. Every student’s journey is unique, and each student deserves support wherever they are. Financial aid is so much more than FAFSAs and student loans. It is helping a student set up free online bill pay through their bank, so they avoid a $35 monthly rent processing fee. Sometimes it’s noticing the signs of food insecurity and connecting someone with the campus food pantry or the local SNAP office. It can be connecting a student with a work-study job so they can earn additional money because they do not have family support. 

When students walk into my office, I do not just see a student ID number, I see the future doctor caring for someone’s pet after a midnight emergency. I take time to listen, explain things clearly, and simplify processes that sometimes feel overwhelming. 

My perspective pushes me to be an advocate for more inclusive policies, clear communication, and resources that support the whole student; especially the first-gens, the underrepresented, or the ones navigating life’s challenges just like I did.  

6. What advice do you have for those in financial aid?

We go from “Hi! How was your drive?” to “Let’s talk about your taxes, and credit score,” all in 5 minutes. 

My advice is to get comfortable having honest conversations about money. The topic is very personal, and we meet families at some of their most vulnerable moments. These discussions can carry stress, family history, and sometimes even shame. Be patient, show kindness, and give grace. Make space for joy and laughter when possible, focusing on the student’s goals. 

Help students understand that financial decisions are choices; each one has trade-offs. Our job is not to judge the choice, but to help them match decisions to long-term goals. Helping students understand how the choices they make today can impact life after graduation. 

Set yourself up for success by making information clear and digestible. Anticipate questions before they come up. Follow up with written reminders so no one loses aid because of a missed deadline. Get out of your office and build relationships across campus. Collaboration will make the load lighter and the student’s experience better. Connect with organizations and task forces that you care about. Extra hands are always needed, and the community makes the work more fulfilling. 

Most importantly, take care of yourself! This profession is demanding. Take breaks, step outside, and drink your water. Celebrate every chance you get! Have fun, be you unapologetically, and wear your favorite outfit often! Go where the students are, smile, and say hello! Chat it up with them. See what’s really going on in their world. 

Remember, you’re basically a superhero! You make the impossible possible, you remove fear and barriers. Keep going! Your work matters!

7. What do you do when you're not working?

When I’m not working, I am usually spending time with my two boys. They keep me laughing, active, and on the go. We love trying new foods, spending time with family, and discovering new places to explore. I am also involved in my church community and enjoy serving on several ministries. When I have solo time, you will find me planning my next travel adventure, reading something inspiring, or working on a creative project.