Meredith Fergus

Meredith Fergus is an expert on higher education policy, data, affordability, finance, and student success. Ms. Fergus serves as scholarship and financial aid analyst providing comprehensive analysis and recommendations related to the intersection and inter-relationships of tuition rates, financial aid, affordability, recruitment, and student success for undergraduate students at the University of Minnesota. Prior to joining the University of Minnesota, she worked in postsecondary policy, planning, evaluation, institutional research, and longitudinal analysis at the state level for more than 20 years. She most recently served as the Director of Research for the Minnesota Office of Higher Education, overseeing data analysis, policy development, financial aid planning, the state’s longitudinal data system (SLEDS), adult learner programming, and direct admissions. She is also a national expert in affordability and financial aid policy, and data governance and use. Ms. Fergus grew up in Nebraska and earned her bachelor’s degree and master’s degree from the University of Minnesota Twin Cities.