About Us

Our staff represents over 100 years of commitment to education and student service! To help you get to know us a little better...

Susan Chin is the Financial Aid Officer for last names "A" through "K". She also coordinates outside funding and General University Restricted Scholarship nominations. Previously, Susan helped administer the HLS Low Income Protection Plan and the HLS Summer Funding Program. In twenty plus years at Harvard University she has held research positions at the School of Public Health and the Business School as well as administrative positions in Central Financial Administration at Holyoke Center and the Financial Office at the Law School. Susan earned a BA from Regis College and an MA from Boston College in economics.

Tony Curcio is the Associate Director of Student Financial Services. Tony returned to our office in 2000 after working for two years in the financial aid office at Harvard Medical School. He has had an ongoing affiliation with the HLS Student Financial Services office since 1990 when he began working here as a student intern. As Associate Director, Tony oversees the day to day operation of the JD Financial Aid Program, maintaining the quality and fairness of both the application and awarding processes and overseeing the technological needs of the office. He earned a BA in Economics from Harvard College and an MA in Education from Tufts, and enjoys outdoor activities like hiking, cross-country skiing and bicycling.

Christine Fahey is the Student Financial Services Staff Assistant. She joined us in 2007 after working at State Street Global Advisors and the Harvard University Development Office. Christine is a graduate of the Boston College Carrol School of Management.

Ken Lafler is the Assistant Dean for Student Financial Services. He has worked at Harvard Law School since 1987 as a staff assistant, financial aid counselor, systems coordinator, Assistant Director of Financial Aid, and Director of LIPP and Summer Funding, before becoming Director of Student Financial Services in 2004. He is also a musician and published songwriter, regularly performing in the Boston area and occasionally touring. Besides music, he enjoys playing basketball, hiking and camping, books and movies, and he serves as a mentor for Boston's Year Up program. Ken is a graduate of Williams College.

Natasha Onken is the Assistant Director for the Low Income Protection Plan and Public Interest Funding. She joined the Student Financial Services office in 2003 after working in financial aid and student employment at the University of Massachusetts – Boston for several years. In her free time, Natasha plays soccer, travels, and tries to hit as many local concerts as possible. Natasha earned her B.A. from Grinnell College.

Rory Placa is the Coordinator for the Low Income Protection Plan and Summer Funding. After working at the Harvard Student Receivables Office, Rory joined the staff in 2010. She graduated from the University of Virginia in 2006 with a B.A. in Psychology and Studies in Women and Gender. In her free time, Rory enjoys cooking, running, reading, and traveling to sunny locations.

Janie Rangel is the Financial Aid Officer for last names "L" through "Z". She joined the office in 2009 after ten years of financial aid experience at the Harvard Graduate School of Arts & Sciences and the American Repertory Theatre. Janie graduated from Harvard and Radcliffe Colleges with a BA in Literature. Outside of work hours, she enjoys reading, watching movies, motorcycle riding, maintaining her fish tanks, and collecting playing cards.

Denise Ryan is our Assistant Director of Student Financial Services for Program Development and External Relations. Denise oversees all processes related to loans and cash disbursements, manages the Entrance and Exit Loan Interview Sessions, and coordinates our Helpful Life Skills programs. She has been working with us since 1989 after logging five years in financial aid at Boston University as a work-study student. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Music from Boston University in 1989 and completed her Masters degree in Theology at the Harvard Divinity School in 2000. Denise is also a professional vocalist.

Ellen Tang is the Student Financial Services Coordinator, providing support for the overall functions of Student Financial Services. She focuses on administration of both the application tracking system and the financial clearance process for Registration, Pre-Registration and Graduation. Ellen joined HLS in 2006. She graduated with an MBA in Marketing and Global Business from Clark University in 2005. Currently, she is an active volunteer at the Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center and mentors a high school senior in the college admission process. Sporadically, she also dabbles in writing bad poetry themed around her Asian American heritage.