Student Aid Reform

Since 1997, Shirley A. Ort has served as associate provost and director of scholarships and student aid at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she administers a comprehensive program of $240 million in student aid to 15,000 undergraduate, graduate and professional students. Prior to this appointment, she served for 18 years as deputy director for student financial aid at the Washington State Higher Education Coordinating Board.

Ort has held numerous leadership roles in state and national professional associations within student financial aid and higher education administration. She remains most active with the College Board, having served as chair of the CSS Assembly (2005-07) and continuing as a College Board Trustee.

Ort holds a bachelor's degree in history and political science from Spring Arbor College, a master's degree in ancient and medieval history from Western Michigan University, and a J.D. from Seattle University School of Law. She is an active member of the Washington State Bar Association.