"The National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators said it was notified on Friday of the death of Appel, a career Education Department official," POLITICO Pro reported in its Morning Education newsletter. "He was the director of policy liaison and implementation at Federal Student Aid before being delegated the duties of chief enforcement officer. Appel also served in other roles at the department, including as deputy undersecretary of Education during the Obama administration."

"'Despite his expertise, Jeff consistently listened more than lectured, sought to understand before being understood, and expertly balanced lofty ideals with real-world pragmatism,' NASFAA President Justin Draeger said in a statement. 'Jeff's motivations were always clear: giving students equal opportunity to postsecondary education. His commitment to college access and success are unparalleled.'

DeVos, in a statement, said that he 'was a tremendous public servant who touched the lives of so many over the decades. As someone dedicated to his work, he always put the success of our nation’s students above all else. Jeff will truly be missed at the department of education and federal student aid.'"

NASFAA's "Notable Headlines" section highlights media coverage of financial aid to help members stay up to date with the latest news. Articles included under the notable headlines section are not written by NASFAA, but rather by external sources. Inclusion in Today's News does not imply endorsement of the material or guarantee the accuracy of information presented.

Publication Date: 12/3/2019