International students face unique financial challenges when pursuing education abroad, from securing loans without cosigners to navigating shifting immigration policies. In this episode, Ray sits down with Arbaaz Hashmi, Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae, to unpack the evolving landscape of international student financing. They explore how universities, lenders, and financial institutions are working together to create sustainable funding solutions, how technology is transforming underwriting and loan approvals, and why students today are thinking more about ROI than ever before.

Join us as we discuss: 

[2:10] How universities and lenders can create win-win situations for students[11:55] The role of technology in modernizing student loan approval[22:16] The future of international student financing, trends, and predictions

To hear this interview and many more like it, subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or our website, or search for “Mastering the Next” in your favorite podcast player.

Guest Name: Arbaaz Hashmy, Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae

Guest Social: https://www.linkedin.com/in/arbaazhashmy/

Guest Bio: Arbaaz Hashmy is Director of Business Development at Sallie Mae. He has more than 10 years under his belt in partnership management focused on the fin-tech space and managed clients in 33 countries in his last role at MPOWER Financing. After finishing his undergrad in Computer Science Engineering, where he led various student organizations, Arbaaz worked across multiple industries and built meaningful relationships to deliver ambitious business goals. He received his MBA from Johns Hopkins University where he served as the President of the Indian Students Association and an international student ambassador.

- - - -Connect With Our Host:Dr. Ray Lutzkyhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/lutzky/

About The Enrollify Podcast Network:Mastering the Next is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too! 

Enrollify is made possible by Element451 —  the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.

Attend the 2025 Engage Summit! The Engage Summit is the premier conference for forward-thinking leaders and practitioners dedicated to exploring the transformative power of AI in education. Explore the strategies and tools to step into the next generation of student engagement, supercharged by AI. You'll leave ready to deliver the most personalized digital engagement experience every step of the way.

Register now to secure your spot in Charlotte, NC, on June 24-25, 2025! Early bird registration ends February 1st -- https://engage.element451.com/register