Quintin Sipp
Quintin Sipp
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Columbia University NY School of International and Public Affairs
EASFAA
Meet Quintin Sipp, 2024-25 Diversity Leadership Program Class.
Quintin stumbled into a career in financial aid and discovered a calling. His own journey as a student was wrought by what the FAFSA would consider “unusual circumstances.” A former foster-youth and first generation graduate, Quintin is deeply connected to the stakes that financial aid administrators must often navigate with students.
These personal experiences shape his thoughtful and reflective approach to financial aid. “When you stay focused on the students and their “why” — why they’re going to school, what they’re trying to achieve — it helps you reconnect with your why,” Quintin said.
Inspired by the capacity to make an impact, Quintin found himself absorbed in the world of financial aid. He is intentional about embedding this mindset into his life outside of work as well. Volunteering in the community or performing stand-up on stage, Quintin thrives off making connections with others.
For Quintin, community care is at the core of his approach to his work and life. “You can make a difference right where you are,” Quintin said. “It really starts with where you're at.”
Learn more about Quintin in the brief Q&A below.
1. How did you get your start in financial aid?
I started working in higher education when I was a senior in undergrad, transitioning out of the military and preparing for graduation. I had been through the financial aid process every year in school — always selected for verification, always turning in documents — so I was pretty familiar with it.
While working as a staff assistant, I noticed a lot of students would come into the office talking about financial aid issues. One day, my supervisor noticed a line of students outside the team division office — all there to talk to me about financial aid. She walked me over to the financial aid office and said, “I think you should be here.” That moment kick-started my career in financial aid.
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 first entered the profession, I didn’t see many people in leadership roles or in positions with upward mobility that I could relate to. But over time, I started seeing more people in leadership who had personal stories that resonated with my own. What really stood out to me was how intentional these changes were. Opportunities for leadership were being purposefully extended, and that made a big difference.
Once I made that upward move, I felt this pressure — not in a bad way, but in a way that made me want to get it right. I knew the DLP program would be the best tool to help me navigate this new level of responsibility. It’s not just about me making changes; I wanted to be part of a program that could support my goals while allowing me to contribute my skills in return.
3. How have you seen diversity in higher education change since you began your career?
I went to a PWI (Predominantly White Institution) for undergrad, and at that time, I mostly saw and interacted with the same kinds of people. When I first started my career in financial aid, I noticed that same trend — the students utilizing aid were largely from similar backgrounds. As time went on, it felt like things shifted. Suddenly, there were more opportunities for people who looked like me — not just visually, but in terms of their backgrounds and the obstacles they’d overcome. I started seeing more students in classrooms who came from diverse experiences.
I can point to specific policy changes that contributed to this shift. For example, the changes around Ability to Benefit and homelessness made a big difference. Students no longer had to jump through endless hoops to prove they were homeless or unaccompanied. When the parent questions started changing, that also opened doors.
4. What’s a challenge within financial aid that you personally have overcome that you're proud of?
I believe there’s usually a way forward if you keep pushing. That mindset shaped by my upbringing, and really helped me when I first encountered financial aid. I’ve had a lot of life experiences — being in different places, growing up in the foster care system, and losing my adoptive parents early on. Without those experiences, I don’t think I would have successfully navigated the financial aid process. But as I was figuring it out, I kept thinking, If I can do this, anyone can.
It wasn’t just about overcoming my own obstacles—it was about seeing that others could, too. That ability to help others realize they could succeed, is what kept me in financial aid. I think that perspective has allowed me to make an impact, and I hope I can continue to help others find their way through the process.
5. How does your perspective impact how you do your job and approach financial aid?
I’ve lived in Florida, South Carolina, Missouri, Texas, and now New York, so I’ve met and connected with all kinds of people. When it comes to financial aid, I enjoy being able to explain the process in a straightforward way that helps students graduate without the stress.
As an assistant director, I have more responsibility and a greater ability to influence change. I’m a decision-maker now, and with that comes a heightened sensitivity to the work I do. I want to make sure every project I’m involved in is handled thoughtfully, especially when working with military students, a group close to my heart because of my own background.
6. What advice do you have for those in financial aid?
It starts with you. You need to be good to yourself — physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually — whatever that looks like for you. Whether it’s aligning your chakras, practicing yoga, or just finding what helps you stay grounded, you have to make sure you’re okay. It matters, because if you’re not at your best, it’s going to affect how you show up in this work.
Once you’ve taken care of yourself, figure out what you’re good at and apply that to your work in financial aid. If you’re a numbers person, dive into the data. If you’re into technology, make sure the systems are running smoothly. Financial aid is a niche field, but within it, there are even more specialized areas. We need top people in every niche because our students — the ones we serve — are the ones who feel the impact.
7. What do you do when you're not working?
I’m definitely a people person — I love anything that involves connecting with others. I’m an avid volunteer and lead a volunteer community emergency response team. I love working with them to make sure our community is prepared for emergencies like hurricanes and floods.
Beyond volunteering, I’m also a stand-up comedian. But if I’m not on stage, I’m probably with my family or friends. Honestly, one of the things that keeps me grounded is just sitting on my friends' couch. I don’t need to hit the bars or do anything fancy — we can just sit, chat about the news, or play a game of solitaire. And when I’m not around people, I’m probably reading. Right now, I’m in the middle of reading Out There Screaming by Jordan Peel.