2021 RNL Survey: Perspectives on LRAPs, Financial Aid & Concerns About Financing

Featured Guests:

Raquel Bermejo, EdD
Associate Vice President, Market Research, RNL
Derek Flynn
Vice President, Financial Aid Services, RNL

Join Ardeo and Ruffalo Noel Levitz for a discussion about the recent results from RNL’s 2021 Admitted Student Family Survey.

The webinar explores perspectives from 1,200+ admitted student families on topics including:

Financial aid packages.
Family concerns about financing college.
Loan Repayment Assistance Programs (LRAPs).

The survey results show borrowing student loans is still a significant concern for families of students planning to attend college – so what can institutions do to keep that concern from becoming a barrier to enrollment?

Watch the discussion on by filling out the form to learn more about the survey findings and Ardeo's LRAPs.

What are LRAPs? LRAPs provide students and families with this powerful promise: If income after graduation is modest, LRAPs will help them repay their federal student, private alternative, and parent PLUS loans.

Dr. Raquel Bermejo analyzes existing search, inquiry, and conversion data in addition to conducting original research with college-seeking students and parents to understand trends and student behaviors. Her research informs and enhances the services the company provides. Dr. Bermejo received her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in linguistics from the Universidad de Salamanca (Salamanca, Spain), where she graduated summa cum laude. She went on to receive a master’s degree in education from Ashland University (OH), a certificate in educational leadership from the University of South Florida, and a doctorate in education from Argosy University (FL). She taught Spanish (K-12) for 10 years, most recently at the Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences, where she also served as foreign language chair and worked closely with administrators to develop, implement, and evaluate the school’s language curriculum. She received the Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year award in 1998 for excellence in teaching and service to the community.

Derek Flynn offers more than a dozen years of experience in enrollment management. He specializes in admissions strategies and maximizing the impact of an institution’s financial aid packages on enrollment. Mr. Flynn has consulted with more than 20 colleges and universities. His work has helped institutions increase enrollment, net revenue, and academic profile. He came to RNL from Maryville University of St. Louis (MO), where he served as associate director of admission. Over a five-year period, he increased his territory applicant pool by 55 percent and territory enrollment by 75 percent. He also helped evaluate, construct, and implement the university’s financial aid packaging strategies. Prior to that position, Mr. Flynn served as assistant director of admission at Briar Cliff University (IA). He has also served as assistant director of admission and financial aid at Quincy University (IL).

Drew Melendres has served in administrative leadership roles both within universities and higher education businesses. Prior to coming to Ardeo, he served as the Sr. Vice President of Enrollment Management, Student Affairs, and Athletics at St. Catherine University in St. Paul, MN. Before St. Kate’s, he served as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships at Collegis Education where the company experienced significant partner and revenue growth. Mr. Melendres has built a successful career helping campuses strategically manage and grow their enrollment as a consultant with Noel-Levitz and as an enrollment management professional at medium and large public universities. He earned a BA from The University of Texas at Austin as well as an MBA with a concentration in entrepreneurship from the Rawls College of Business at Texas Tech University.