Welcoming Financial Aid Expert Trisha Cherry to the GEC Team

GEC Welcomes experienced college affordability expert Trisha Cherry to the coaching team.

We are thrilled to welcome Trisha Cherry to the Golden Educational Consulting team!

Trisha is an educational consultant and certified school counselor with deep expertise in college access, financial aid strategy, and postsecondary planning. With more than 20 years of experience across financial aid administration, outreach, and K–12 counseling, she brings informed, practical guidance to students, families, and school communities navigating complex college decisions.

Trisha specializes in interpreting financial aid regulations, leading FAFSA completion initiatives, guiding families through scholarship searches and applications, and helping students evaluate financial aid offers to make sound, affordable choices. Her work consistently helps demystify the financial side of college, empowering families with clarity and confidence. Trisha will be leading GEC’s efforts to help families make college more affordable through one-on-one financial aid coaching, and soon, an online bootcamp series that will provide an easy to follow plan for navigating the FAFSA and finding scholarships.

Her broad professional background includes financial aid consulting, where she provides workshops, one-on-one advising, and strategic support for families, as well as leadership roles as a Director of Financial Aid, College Access Counselor, and Student Loan Expert. These experiences strengthen her ability to analyze systems, streamline processes, and design effective counseling tools and curriculum. Trisha is known for her clear communication, collaborative approach, and skill in translating complex financial and educational concepts into accessible, actionable steps.

Trisha holds a Master of Science in Counseling, a Bachelor of Science in Leadership and Organizational Studies, and a Certificate of Graduate Study in Culturally Responsive Practices, all from the University of Southern Maine. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with family and friends while taking full advantage of the natural beauty of Maine.

Trisha shared, “I couldn’t be more excited to join the Golden Educational Consulting team. As a mental health professional and postsecondary specialist, I deeply value GEC’s health-first approach to the college search and application process. Navigating how to pay for college can be especially complex and stressful, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring clarity, support, and a sense of calm to students and families as they move through this part of their journey.”

Please join me in welcoming Trisha to the GEC team!

Not working with us yet? Feeling stressed by the college search process?  Let's chat.