Aristalia Benitez named director of financial aid at LHU

LOCK HAVEN, Pa. — Aristalia Benitez has been named the director of financial aid at Lock Haven University and began her duties on Monday, May 20.

Benitez has dedicated more than 25 years to financial aid administration and aid access advocacy. In her most recent leadership position as the director of financial aid at Bloomfield College and East Stroudsburg University, she has served as an active member of the enrollment management team where she collaborated with the offices of admissions, academic advising, academic affairs, registrar and bursar to extend access to students.

She began her financial aid career at South Bronx High School, where she trained with a New York University community based nonprofit organization called FACTS. In that role she assisted high school students with their financial aid and admissions applications.

Benitez later enrolled in New York University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and began her career as a financial aid administrator, first as a work-study student then as a full-time staff member.

As the client support service coordinator in the New York University office of financial aid, Benitez was able to leverage data associated with financial aid portals, which later became key in her ability to contribute toward simplifying aid delivery strategies with the use of technology.

Embracing the value of financial aid technology, Benitez was appointed the associate director of financial services at Manhattan College. During her tenure at Manhattan College she developed a passion for aid simplification in order to better serve students — a position that encompassed both financial aid and bursar processes.

In her most recent position at Bloomfield College, she effectively coordinated and managed the federal, state and institutional aid programs while maintaining compliance standards. In addition, she promotes empathy and positive regard for others, always assessing maximizing student-centered services so students receive meaningful services in order to complete their educational goals.

“I consider myself a lifelong aid professional who advocates for financial aid access. I also recognize the impact of meaningful outreach activities, default loan prevention and equitable aid distribution,” Benitez said. “I look forward to serving Lock Haven University students and partners by streamlining the aid process, increasing financial awareness and aid access. One of the best investments that can be made is through education and I’m honored to be part of an institution that promotes lifelong success for students.”

“We are excited to have Ari join our team at LHU,” said Tyana Lange, vice president for enrollment management. “She has a passion for helping students get all of the possible aid that they qualify to receive and her experience will serve our students very well.”

For more information on Lock Haven University, visit www.lockhaven.edu, email admissions@lockhaven.edu, or call 570-484-2011.

Lock Haven University’s main campus is located on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River in the scenic mountains of Pennsylvania. The university offers 49 undergraduate majors and certifications with 47 minors and five graduate programs.

LHU is a member of Pennsylvania’s State System, the largest provider of higher education in the Commonwealth. Its 14 universities offer more than 2,300 degree and certificate programs in more than 530 academic areas of study. Nearly 520,000 system alumni live and work in Pennsylvania.