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(General) Subject: Passing of Marilyn LeBlanc, former Director of the Application Processing Division

Posted Date:August 12, 2015

Author: James W. Runcie, Chief Operating Officer, Federal Student Aid

Subject: Passing of Marilyn LeBlanc, former Director of the Application Processing Division

It is with great sadness that Federal Student Aid shares with you information on the recent passing of Marilyn LeBlanc on Thursday, August 6, 2015, after a valiant battle with cancer.

Marilyn spent her more than 30 year career working in financial aid and was passionate about assisting students pursuing a postsecondary education. Marilyn joined Federal Student Aid (FSA) in July 1998, having oversight of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) and the Central Processing System. Prior to joining FSA, Marilyn was in the training division of the National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators. Early in her career, she assisted students on college campuses as a financial aid administrator in northern California.

Millions of students and their families, as well as postsecondary institutions benefit from Marilyn’s leadership through her efforts to simplify the FAFSA. She also served as a key figure in coordinating the FSA’s Training Conferences, where many eagerly awaited her CPS and FAFSA Update (including her announcement of the pantone colors of the FAFSA for the coming year). Generations of students and financial aid administrators will continue to take advantage of the hard work and lasting contributions Marilyn made throughout her career.

She is survived by her devoted husband of 26 years, Jeff Baker, Director of Policy at Federal Student Aid. Condolences may be sent to Jeff at Jeff.Baker@ed.gov. Even during Marilyn's long struggle, she always remarked how much more difficult it must be for the children who have these terrible diseases and for their families. To honor her memory, voluntary donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House Foundation or to the Make-A-Wish Foundation.