April 10, 2009
Who's Who at OGSLP?
Name: Kelli Kelnar
Department: School/Lender Support Services
Title: School/Lender Support Services Specialist
How do your daily duties directly impact OGSLP's customers?
My job primarily involves working with our friends and colleagues in the lending community. OGSLP’s recent partnership with SimpleTuition gives me the opportunity to get to know our lenders and visit with them about the online lender comparison tool and the many other tools and services OGSLP provides. I have a wonderful time visiting schools all over Oklahoma and sharing our programs and products with colleagues I've known for many years. I'm so fortunate to have the opportunity to stay in touch with old friends and make new ones every day!
Since I started working at OGSLP, I've also been involved in our educational outreach programs and I’m participating in the development of our new comprehensive college access program. OGSLP offers several great resources that help our school customers reach out to parents and students and better equip them to make higher education a reality. I’m happy to be involved in projects that help our customers achieve their goals and help more students pursue higher education.
What advice would you give to someone in our industry who's new to working with student loans?
Currently, the student loan industry is part of the national dialogue and changes are possible. My advice to a newcomer would be to stay ahead of the game by learning as much as possible about the financial aid process and staying up-to-date on the most current loan-related news and legislation. OGSLP is working hard to provide our customers and industry partners the latest information, so I’d also encourage a new aid administrator to visit our Web site. It’s important to be aware of industry developments and consider new and innovative ways to meet these challenges head on.
What do you find most challenging about working with student loans?
Challenges are a constant in the student loan industry. Over the past 25 years, I've worked both in college financial aid and as a lender representative, and there has never been a dull moment. Fortunately, these challenges are what make us strive harder to learn more and succeed.
Obviously, 2008 brought about some big changes for a number of lenders across the country and, more specifically, right here in Oklahoma. However, the FFELP is still strong thanks to the hard work and dedication of those in the FFELP community. I’m so proud that we’re all working together to achieve a common goal – to help students access higher education. I’m also proud that we’re all dedicated to making sure that tradition continues.
What are some of the unique services your department provides our customers?
Thanks to our partnership with SimpleTuition, the School/Lender Support Services department is able to offer some great advantages to our school customers; schools have the option to set up their own customized lender list or use OGSLP’s online Master List. Both provide borrowers the chance to compare lender benefits and make a more informed choice when selecting a loan provider. OGSLP’s SimpleTuition site also provides helpful information about the student loan process and allows schools to offer comparison data to their students.
Our department’s goal every day is to provide exceptional customer service and, within that framework, the most valuable service of all … the personal touch.
What are your hobbies or interests?
My husband is from the Czech Republic and we’re planning a trip to visit his family. I can’t wait! In addition to traveling, I enjoy working around the house, redecorating and watching cooking shows. I’m hoping some of that knowledge will sink in one of these days because my mom says I didn’t inherit her cooking gene!