Campus News

October 27th, 2026

Harvey elected to Financial Assistance Assembly Council

Garrett College’s director of financial aid earns three-year term on board

Andrew Harvey, Garrett College’s director of financial aid, already has some clear goals for his term on the College Scholarship Service/Financial Assistance Assembly Council (FAAC) of the College Board.

“I’d like to help build a better bridge between K-12 and higher ed, especially with issues related to financial aid,” said Harvey, who was recently elected to a three-year term on the national board.

College Board is a national, non-profit organization most widely known for operating the SAT, PSAT/NMSQT, Advanced Placement programs and multiple other programs – including Career Search, College Search, and Scholarship Search – to assist students in career and college exploration. The FAAC serves as an advisory council for the College Board focused on the economic and financial aspects of higher education, including policy and emerging issues in the field.

Harvey was asked by College Board leadership to be a candidate for nomination to the council. “I believe they thought my breadth of financial aid knowledge would be beneficial,” he said.

“Andrew is nationally recognized for his financial aid expertise and his innovative thinking,” said Dr. Richard Midcap, Garrett College’s president. “I know he’s going to make an extremely positive impact on the council.”

Harvey is a Garrett College graduate, having earned an Associate of Arts in Secondary Education from Garrett College in 2000. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in History and Political Science from Frostburg State University, and a Master of Science in Higher Education and Student Learning Success from Walden (MN) University.

“Starting here made perfect sense because I knew I wanted to go to Frostburg,” said Harvey of his educational path. “I was a work-study for both of my years at Garrett in the library.

“I loved the people I worked with,” Harvey added. “When I found out education was not something easy to break into in the county, I kept trying to come back to Garrett College in any capacity I could get.”

Harvey started at Garrett College in 2010 as a financial aid counselor, moved up to assistant director of financial aid in 2016, and became financial aid director in 2019. He is vice chair of the DE-DC-MD Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and a widely sought-after speaker, having presented at numerous regional and national conferences on financial aid topics.

Harvey said he finds work at the regional level most rewarding.

“I like it because it’s more intimate than at the national level,” Harvey explained. “I’d say I know 80 percent of the people in the region well. I like to steal their good ideas and I’d like to think that occasionally I throw a good one out there.”

Harvey is also a Certified Financial Aid Administrator®, a professional credential awarded through the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators (NASFAA), and a consultant for the Higher Education Assistance Group, advising on the PowerFAIDS financial aid software system operated by College Board. He is also active in the community, having served as board chair, vice chair, and treasurer of StageWEST Arts Collective.

Harvey is a strong proponent of students building knowledge of financial aid basics and mapping out their college funding plan as early as possible. “That’s as important for local students – most of whom can complete an associate’s degree virtually for free at Garrett College – as it is for any student.”

“Andrew is passionate about staying abreast of current and pending financial aid guidelines and excels at translating this information to provide clear financial aid guidance to current and future students,” said Lisa Nichols, Garrett College’s dean of administrative services. “His experience and knowledge will be a great addition to the College Board’s FAAC, particularly in representing the affordability challenges of rural communities.”

“Financial Aid is financial aid everywhere,” Harvey noted. “Planning early can really help students afford what they plan to do after Garrett College.”