FAFSA Night: Funding Your Teen’s Future

The FAFSA® is the gateway to most need-based aid, and many families can benefit. Regardless of your income, completing the FAFSA has its benefits and it’s not just for federal aid –it can help with state and institutional aid too. It can feel intimidating to families, but don’t worry. BigFuture is here to help!  Join us for a step-by-step walk-through that explains key terms, deadlines, and documents you’ll need. We’ll bust common myths and show you how to avoid costly mistakes so your teen can maximize financial aid. Get your questions ready because our experts are ready with real-time answers.

Meet our Speakers:

Daniel T. Barkowitz 
Assistant Vice President, Office of Student Financial Assistance & Student Employment, Division of Enrollment Management, University of Miami

Daniel T. Barkowitz is Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Student Employment at the University of Miami, a position he has held since July 2022. Daniel has served 35 years in institutions of higher education. Previous roles include: Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs at Valencia College; Director of Financial Aid at MIT; Dean of Financial Aid / Associate Dean of Student Affairs for Columbia College and Columbia Engineering at Columbia University in the City of New York; Director of Operations and Training for the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority; and Assistant Director of Financial Aid at Boston College.

Joy D. Thomas, Ed.D. 
Interim Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management & Executive Director, Office of Student Financial Services, Prairie View A & M University

Dr. Joy D. Thomas is the Interim Assistant Vice President of Enrollment Management and Executive Director of Student Financial Services at Prairie View A&M University, where she leads strategic initiatives that connect enrollment management, financial aid operations, and student success. With over two decades of experience in higher education, Dr. Thomas has held progressive leadership roles at Savannah State University, Ellucian, and Prairie View A&M University, consistently driving innovation, compliance, and process improvements in student financial services and enrollment management.

Karla Weber Wandel
Communications Manager at UW-Madison's Office of Student Financial Aid

Karla Weber Wandel is Wisconsin native and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and the School of Human Ecology’s Human Development and Family Studies program. She also has her Master of Science degree in Communications & Public Relations from Purdue University’s Brian Lamb School of Communication.  Now in her 18th year, she has made her professional home in the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA), first as an Advisor and the Front Desk Supervisor and now as the Communications Manager. Beyond OSFA, Karla works nationally to support others’ efforts to improve and simplify the communications related to accessing higher ed, including as a SAP consultant with the John Burton Advocates for Youth (JBAY) in California.

Outside of her professional life, Karla enjoys volunteering with local organizations, cross-stitching, listening to live music, hiking/walking/aimlessly wandering and traveling. She can spend just as much time with her partner, Josh, and dog-children, Nellie & Biggie, loving the outdoors as they can on their couch streaming the latest content.