Brenda Ilojiole
Brenda Ilojiole
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Bethune-Cookman University
SASFAA
Meet Brenda Ilojiole, 2024-25 Diversity Leadership Program Class.
Navigating the higher education system for the first time can be a daunting task especially if your parents are also new to the process. For Brenda, growing up with Nigerian parents who were new to navigating the nuanced and bureaucratic world of higher education made the financial aid process all the more complicated. Inspired by her own experience, she is driven by a commitment to empowering students.
Whether creating scholarships for underrepresented students or leveraging resources to improve financial aid processes, Brenda believes the most important part of her work is equipping students with the tools and confidence to succeed. “When students feel empowered, they take ownership of their education,” Brenda said. “It builds motivation, resilience, and the drive to achieve their goals.”
She has a unique talent for identifying gaps where people need more support and turning those challenges into opportunities. Brenda recognizes the importance of visibility and continues to advocate for the programs and resources that help make students feel seen.
“I love creating opportunities where students feel seen and supported. It’s about opening doors for those who might otherwise feel left out,” Brenda said.
Learn more about Brenda in the brief Q&A below.
1. How did you get your start in financial aid?
I didn’t take school seriously in high school and didn’t have a clear direction. When I started community college, I still didn’t know what I wanted to do. One day, I came across the term “work-study” and wondered what it was. I ended up working in a financial aid work-study position, and that experience introduced me to the complexities of financial aid.
Later, I got hired as a part-time financial aid staff member and attended the New Aid Officer Workshop. That was a game-changer for me. I realized how much more there was to financial aid — it wasn’t just about reviewing FAFSA applications. It was about the real impact we have on students and our institutions. Helping students navigate the process became really important to me.
2. What have been some of the most significant milestones in your financial aid career, and how have they shaped your perspective on the profession?
When I truly realized the importance of being part of professional organizations. At the community college, we had the resources to purchase tools and memberships, so it wasn’t something I had to fight for. But when I began working at an HBCU, it became crystal clear that we needed these resources — like NASFAA, AskRegs, study guides, and policies and procedures templates.
Being part of a community and having access to those resources made all the difference. It helped us stay up to date on changes from the Department of Education and ensure we didn’t miss crucial updates that could impact our students and compliance. That experience completely shifted my perspective.
3. How have you seen diversity in higher education change since you began your career?
Working at an HBCU — a private university — has really shifted my perspective. I’ve seen how hard minority students fight to get into college and how much they and their families are willing to sacrifice to make it happen. What’s even more remarkable is that I’m seeing this determination at younger and younger ages.
I’ve also seen more students taking advantage of work-study opportunities to gain experience before entering the workforce. That’s something I always advocate for because I wouldn’t be where I am today if I hadn’t taken a work-study position. It gave me a better understanding of higher education, financial aid, and how the system works as a whole.
4. What’s a change within financial aid that you personally would like to see?
One thing I’ve been advocating for the longest is the return of subsidized loans for graduate school programs. There’s a common misconception that graduate students are already working high-paying jobs and can afford their expenses, but that’s not the reality for many. Grad school is so demanding that, in most cases, students can’t work full-time, if at all.
I would love to see a serious reconsideration of reintroducing subsidized loans for graduate students. Reimplementing subsidized loans would help bridge that gap and make graduate education a more viable and accessible option for many students.
5. How does your perspective impact how you do your job and approach financial aid?
I grew up with a Nigerian background — both my parents are from Nigeria. When they came to the U.S., they weren’t familiar with the financial aid process. Yes, they went to college, but things like filling out the FAFSA application were completely new to them.
I had such a hard time when I transferred to a university. Completing the FAFSA and going through verification was frustrating and confusing. I almost missed the deadline because it was so overwhelming. Thankfully, I had support from Daniel Barkowitz, who encouraged me to push through. I remember venting about how difficult and unnecessarily complicated the process was.
6. What advice do you have for those in financial aid?
Get involved. No matter what level you are in financial aid, your voice matters.
I started small: volunteering, attending conferences, and being a moderator. I was nervous, but I did it. Now, I’m presenting NASFAA credentials and encouraging others to see what’s possible. You bring value in the role you’re in now, and that can open doors.
7. What do you do when you're not working?
I’m pretty adventurous. When I’m not working, I’m usually Googling something fun to try. I’ve gone skydiving, hang gliding, and zip lining. My ultimate goal is to fly a plane — I love the adrenaline.
When I’m not doing something adventurous, I’m trying new recipes or working on arts and crafts — anything I can get my hands into. After working eight to ten hours a day, it’s my way of disconnecting and getting creative.