Richard J. Lucas was appointed to lead the office of Federal Student Aid in November 2025 and brings more than 38 years of exemplary public service to this role. He began his career at the U.S. Department of Education (ED) as a co-op student in the Office of Inspector General (OIG). That formative opportunity led to his first position as an OIG auditor.
He became a legislative liaison and, later, a criminal investigator in the OIG before moving to Federal Student Aid, which—at the time—was a newly created performance-based organization. Richard spent approximately 20 years at Federal Student Aid managing taxpayer funds and directing complex financial programs. In May 2024, Richard was delegated the duties and responsibilities of the assistant secretary and chief financial officer in ED’s Office of Finance and Operations. In that role, he advised senior officials about financial and management, accounting, and human capital. He also oversaw all financial activities and integrated key financial information with ED’s policies and strategic objectives.
A first-generation college student, Richard earned a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Maryland and a law degree from American University. In 2022, he received the prestigious Presidential Rank Award, which recognizes exceptional long-term performance, leadership, and results in the federal government.