Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority
Higher education agencies name new executive director

The Board of Directors of the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA), Kentucky Higher Education Student Loan Corporation (KHESLC) and Kentucky’s Affordable Prepaid Tuition Program (KAPT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Edward J. Cunningham as executive director and CEO of KHEAA/KHESLC/KAPT.

KHEAA is the state agency that administers state student financial aid programs and guarantees Federal Family Education Loan Program (FFELP) loans. KHESLC, also known as The Student Loan People^sm, is a public, nonprofit corporation that provides education loans for students and parents through FFELP. KAPT is a 529 tax-advantaged instrument of the commonwealth.

“We are pleased to welcome Mr. Cunningham to Kentucky and expect outstanding results under his leadership,” said Spencer Noe, chair of the KHEAA/KHESLC/KAPT Board of Directors. “We are confident that with his extensive experience and demonstrated management abilities that he will build on our successful track record.”

“I am honored to be chosen to lead such outstanding organizations,” Cunningham said. “I hope to bring a spirit of teamwork and collaboration to our mission of providing higher education opportunities to the students and families we serve.”

Cunningham most recently was employed at American Education Services-Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (AES-PHEAA), which is one of the nation’s largest administrators of grant, scholarship and loan programs and a respected guarantor, lender and servicer. During his tenure at AES-PHEAA, he held various positions including Senior Executive; First Vice President, Education Services Group; and Vice President, Loan Division. He also held positions with KMPG Peat Marwick Consulting as a Manager, Education Finance Services Group and with the Iowa Student Loan Liquidity Corporation as its executive director. He is a retired Command Re-enlistment Sergeant Major for the U.S. Army Reserves, where he served as an instructor for interpersonal communications and human relations.

For information about KHEAA’s programs and services, call (800) 928-8926, ext. 7381; write KHEAA, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798; or visit kheaa.com. For information about The Student Loan People, call (888) 678-4625; write The Student Loan People, P.O. Box 24328, Louisville, KY 40224-0328; or visit thestudentloanpeople.com. For information about KAPT, call (888) 919-KAPT; write KAPT, P.O. Box 798, Frankfort, KY 40602-0798; or visit getkapt.com.

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