Richard Lucas Selected as Acting Head of FSA
By Maria Carrasco, NASFAA Staff Reporter
The Trump administration on Monday announced that Richard Lucas, a previous chief financial officer of Federal Student Aid (FSA), will rejoin the agency in its top position as acting chief operating officer (COO).
Lucas has served the Department of Education (ED) and FSA through multiple roles, including first as a co-op student in the Office of Inspector General (OIG). According to ED, his OIG career began as an auditor, where he later advanced to a legislative liaison and then a criminal investigator.
Lucas was then transferred to FSA, where he was selected as FSA’s chief financial officer. ED noted in its press release that his work managing taxpayer funds and directing financial programs earned him recognition across all levels of the organization, with Lucas receiving the prestigious Presidential Rank Award in 2022.
Notably, the COO position does not require Senate confirmation and is appointed through the Education Secretary.
ED noted in its press release that Lucas will be working closely with Under Secretary Nicholas Kent, and will be responsible for the implementation of key reforms established under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
“We are proud to appoint Richard Lucas to lead Federal Student Aid at this pivotal moment in student aid reforms,” Education Secretary Linda McMahon said in a statement. “President Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill Act not only simplifies student loan repayment, but it creates key accountability measures that will ensure transparency and hold institutions accountable for poor student outcomes. As a dedicated public servant, we are confident that Mr. Lucas will be a key leader in successfully operationalizing these key reforms to better serve borrowers, students, families, and American taxpayers.”
James Bergeron, FSA’s previous acting COO, will continue as ED’s principal deputy under secretary.
“It is an honor to re-join the Federal Student Aid team to lead transformative student aid reforms,” Lucas said in a statement. “Our priority is simple: return to the fundamentals of accountability, transparency, and results. By honoring the promise of the PBO legislation, Federal Student Aid will deliver the reliable, student-centered service that America deserves.”
Publication Date: 11/18/2025
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