GSEP Spotlight: Jeff Fouchey (Vice Chair, SEC Advisory Board), Founder and CEO of FAID: Financial Aid Made Simple

The GSEP Spotlight Series highlights students, alumni, and community partners whose work reflects Pepperdine’s values of purpose, service, and leadership. In this spotlight, we feature Jeff Fouchey, CEO of FAID (“Financial Aid Made Simple”) and Vice Chair of the Social Entrepreneurship and Change (SEC) Advisory Board.

 
Bridging the Financial Aid Gap with Clarity and Compassion
Jeff Fouchey’s journey began with a simple, but profound realization: over 60% of California students qualify for debt-free college—yet most never hear that truth clearly. As he listened to families across the state share their misconceptions about college affordability, he recognized a systemic issue rooted not in apathy, but in information gaps.

“That message, born from a lack of information—not a lack of love—has discouraged thousands of capable students from pursuing higher education,” Fouchey shares. Determined to shift the narrative, he reverse-engineered the financial aid system and founded FAID to connect students and families with the specific institutions that offer genuine debt-free pathways.

Through FAID, Jeff and his team have served thousands of students and helped school districts boost college enrollment by more than 53%. “What drives me every day is the impact we make by helping students and families see that higher education is within reach without the burden of debt.”

 
Leadership as a Form of Service
At the core of Jeff’s mission is a belief that leadership is synonymous with service. His work doesn’t stop at FAID—he mentors graduate students in Pepperdine’s MA in Social Entrepreneurship and Change (SEC) program and also guides high school students on FAID’s Student Advisory Board.

“The experience that best reflects who I am is my commitment to fighting for those who don’t yet know how to fight for what they deserve,” he explains. From advocating for foster youth—99% of whom qualify for debt-free college, yet fewer than 4% earn a bachelor’s degree—to supporting first-gen students navigating higher education for the first time, Jeff is driven by data, empathy, and action.

 
Giving Back Through the SEC Advisory Board
Mentorship played a pivotal role in Jeff’s own entrepreneurial journey, and it’s what inspired him to join the SEC Advisory Board at Pepperdine. Now serving as Vice Chair, he collaborates with fellow board members to strengthen recruitment, increase enrollment, and enhance the student experience.

“I was fortunate to have mentors who shared their wisdom during moments of uncertainty,” he says. “Joining the SEC Advisory Board gives me the opportunity to pay that support forward—helping students find confidence, courage, and purpose in their own journeys.”

Whether speaking on panels, mentoring students, or advising on strategic initiatives, Jeff’s work is guided by a shared mission: to cultivate access, confidence, and real-world impact. “Leadership begins with listening and grows through shared action,” he says. “I'm proud to be part of a community that values integrity, service, and the power of possibility.”