Robert Heil
Chief Executive Officer
Robert Heil is the CEO of Financial Aid Services (FAS), where he leads all strategic and operational facets of the company. Since joining the firm in 2022, FAS has doubled in size, and Robert has played a pivotal role in significantly expanding the company’s footprint, transforming FAS into a market leader, and empowering colleges and universities to impact today’s students. Robert is driven by a deep commitment to creating new innovative models for financial aid operations and serving the needs of today’s students, ensuring FAS’s clients receive best-in-class service with a client-centric focus at the core of every decision.
With a 25+ year career spanning multiple executive roles at EdTech and higher education consulting firms such as Ruffalo Noel Levitz, Everspring, and Ruffalo CODY, Robert has earned a reputation for fostering innovation, delivering exceptional client value, and building high-performing teams. Under Robert’s leadership, those organizations achieved transformative results for their clients and exponential growth for those companies.
Throughout his career, Robert has been recognized as an education and business leader who steps into complex situations, produces results, and turns organizations around.
In response to the flawed FAFSA rollout in 2024, Robert was a trusted advisor and resource for leaders and policymakers inside the White House, as well as The Department of Education, EdTech companies, and non-profit organizations in higher education. To address the FAFSA crisis, the most influential companies, foundations, and philanthropic organizations in America chose to work with Robert to make FAS services available to under-resourced colleges and universities, including 62 HBCUs and many other minority-serving institutions.
A recognized thought leader, Robert’s strategic insights and rare foresight on emerging trends have shaped policy discussions, and he is frequently sought after for expert guidance in business and higher education circles. He has been featured in leading media outlets, including ABC News, CBS News, NBC News, Fox News, and Authority Magazine, where his forward-thinking approach to leadership, business, and higher education is highlighted.
A champion of making college more affordable and accessible for all students, Robert continues to lead FAS toward continued growth and industry leadership. He is an engaging speaker whose leadership lessons inspire audiences and provide practical applications to pursue success and impact.
In addition to his role at FAS, Robert serves on advisory boards for several organizations. He graduated from Abilene Christian University and resides in Atlanta with his family.