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A fall 2025 conversation with Johanna Kaye, Executive Director of Financial Aid

On a busy afternoon in the financial aid office, Johanna Kaye sat down to talk about something she's passionate about: helping students finish what they started. As executive director of financial aid, Kaye sees firsthand how donor-funded scholarships transform lives - not just by covering costs, but by making the impossible possible.

"A $1,000 scholarship might be the make or break for a student to be able to attend ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox and pursue whatever God is calling them to do," she says.

Kaye's perspective is shaped by years of working with students and families navigating the complex landscape of college affordability, especially in a time when federal aid changes are creating new challenges for middle-income families. Her answers reveal not just the mechanics of financial aid, but the heart behind helping every student cross the finish line.

How do donor-funded scholarships impact students at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox?

Donor-funded scholarships make the difference between students going to college or not going to college or getting to finish their degree. A $1,000 scholarship might be the make or break for a student to be able to attend ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox and pursue whatever God is calling them to do.

Where is the greatest need for scholarship support?

About one-third of our students need additional funds beyond their financial aid package. We want students to finish at ºìÐÓ¶ÌÊÓƵ Fox. Continuing students have less access to external aid, so that's where we can make a really big impact. That's where a lot of times we can help them through and alleviate the burden so they can continue on.

What kind of scholarship funds are most helpful?

If I had a pool of $50,000 at the start of every term to use for students that come into our office, and after we learn their story and know a little more about what's going on, we are able to say, 'You need $2,000 to make this work. Here you go.' Unrestricted funds give us the flexibility to meet students where they are.

How are recent federal changes affecting families?

It's those middle-income families that are hit the hardest. They don't get a lot of federal aid, and they don't have a lot of liquid cash that they are able to pay out of pocket. This is the group that we see utilize Parent Plus Loans, which will have new restrictions. Most of our families using Parent Plus Loans borrow more than the limit. That's where donor support becomes even more critical — helping us bridge the gap for families navigating these changes.

Kaye's work isn't just about numbers and policies — it's about seeing potential in every student who walks through her door and finding ways to help them succeed. In a time when college affordability feels increasingly out of reach for many families, donor support becomes the difference between a student saying "I can't" and "I can."