From Certification to Career: HEC Participants Earn ServSafe Credentials

HEC Connections is pleased to celebrate Jasmyne Jackson and Janyce Jackson, two HEC TRIO participants who recently achieved an important career milestone by successfully completing ServSafe Manager Certification Training through StokesWill Consulting and Rahn Williams.

The ServSafe Manager Certification is an industry-recognized credential that demonstrates

knowledge of essential food safety practices and can strengthen participants’ qualifications for employment and advancement in the food service and hospitality industries.

With their new credentials, Jasmyne and Janyce can explore career opportunities in restaurants, hotels, catering operations, schools and universities, healthcare facilities, institutional food service, concessions, and event venues. Potential career pathways include restaurant shift leader, food service manager, kitchen manager, catering or banquet supervisor, food and beverage supervisor, and management trainee positions.

TRIO high school students have received their ServSafe credentials. Their

accomplishment reflects HEC’s commitment to connecting participants not only with education, but also with industry-recognized credentials, workforce preparation, and pathways to meaningful employment.

Through StokesWill Consulting’s growing network of business and community partners,

participants who complete certification programs may also gain connections to potential

employment opportunities. These relationships help create an important bridge between training and the workforce.

HEC congratulates Jasmyne and Janyce on this outstanding achievement and thanks

StokesWill Consulting and Rahn Williams for their partnership and commitment to expanding

opportunities for HEC participants.

This partnership demonstrates the power of collaboration: a credential earned, a résumé

strengthened, and new career possibilities opened.

Understanding the New Parent PLUS Loan Caps: What Families Need to Know

Beginning with the 2026–2027 academic year, new Parent PLUS Loan may borrow a maximum of $20,000 per student per year, with a lifetime borrowing cap of $65,000 per student.

In addition to borrowing caps, new Parent PLUS Loans issued after July 1, 2026, will no longer qualify for income-driven repayment plans, limiting borrowers primarily to standard repayment options (UNCF, 2025). As a result, families may face higher monthly payments and fewer repayment flexibilities (United Negro College Fund [UNCF], 2025).

What These Changes Mean for Families

The new Parent PLUS Loan caps require families to take a more proactive approach to college planning. According to UNCF (2025), the average annual cost of college now exceeds $38,000, meaning many families will need to identify additional funding sources beyond federal loans.

Families affected by the new limits may need to:

• Increase reliance on scholarships and grants.

• Utilize college savings plans such as 529 accounts.

• Consider work-study opportunities and part-time employment.

• Explore lower-cost educational pathways, including community colleges and transfer programs.

• Carefully evaluate private loan options if necessary (UNCF, 2025).

Additionally, new Parent PLUS Loans issued after July 1, 2026, will no longer qualify for income-driven repayment plans, potentially resulting in higher monthly payments for borrowers (UNCF, 2025).

The Importance of FAFSA Completion

With borrowing options becoming more limited, completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is more important than ever. FAFSA serves as the gateway to federal grants, work-study programs, scholarships, and federal student loans. Students who complete FAFSA early often have greater access to institutional and state-based aid opportunities (UNCF, 2025).

Families should review their financial aid offers carefully and communicate with college financial aid offices if circumstances change or additional assistance is needed.

How HEC STL Supports Students and Families

As families navigate these changes, the Higher Education Consortium of St. Louis (HEC STL) provides valuable resources designed to help students access and complete higher education.

HEC STL supports college access and affordability through:

• FAFSA completion assistance and financial aid guidance.

• Scholarship awareness and referral resources.

• College planning support for students and families.

• Connections to member colleges and universities throughout the St. Louis region.

• Educational programming that helps students understand financial aid options, college costs, and enrollment pathways.

By helping students complete FAFSA, identify scholarship opportunities, and understand the true cost of attendance, HEC STL works to reduce financial barriers that may otherwise prevent students from pursuing higher education. As Parent PLUS Loan limits take effect, these services become increasingly important in helping families develop comprehensive college funding plans.

Planning Ahead for Success

While the new Parent PLUS Loan limits may require families to rethink their college financing strategies, they do not make higher education unattainable. Early planning, FAFSA completion, scholarship applications, and utilization of community resources can help students stay on track toward earning a degree while minimizing debt.

Organizations such as HEC STL play a critical role in helping families understand their options and connect with resources that support college access and completion. By taking advantage of available financial aid tools and planning proactively, students can continue pursuing their educational goals despite changing federal loan policies.

References

United Negro College Fund. (2025, December 23). What the cap on Parent PLUS loans means to you and how to support your student getting to and through college. UNCF. https://uncf.org/the-latest/what-the-cap-on-parent-plus-loans-means-to-you-and-how-to-support-your-student-getting-to-and-through-college