Senior Financial Aid Officer

The overall purpose and responsibility of the Senior Financial Aid Officer is to assist and counsel students on the financial aid process and aid availability while working in a team environment to accomplish the institution’s enrollment management goals. Awards financial aid in accordance with federal, state and institutional regulations and guidelines. Works collaboratively with others in the office to achieve timely communication with all potential students and manages workflow to meet deadlines in a high-volume processing environment.

·         Provides leadership in the absence of the Director or Associate Director, conducts financial aid overviews, and assists students with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

·         Provides quality counseling to students and parents regarding the financial aid process and availability, evaluates FAFSA’s to determine a student’s Title IV eligibility and creates a funding plan to present to students and parents regarding their funding options.

·         Advises students of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid,

·         Performs verification on selected ISIRs, works closely with Admissions to ensure timely and accurate financial aid packaging.

·         Submits financial aid packages to be processed by established deadlines, maintains knowledge of financial aid guidelines and procedures to evaluate and determine student eligibility for financial aid programs, provides excellent customer service.

·         Assists co-workers with assigned and unassigned tasks to complete student files to ensure readiness for student appointments and start dates.

·         Reviews estimated awards and weekly reports to ensure all student’s financial aid has been processed.

·         Reviews financial aid packages to ensure a low rate of return due to errors on all packages submitted for processing.

·         Provides a professional image in terms of appearance and conduct in the performance of job duties, Communicates with students via email, texting and/or phone calls.

·         Participates in the institution’s meetings and training activities, supports and works closely with the Financial Aid Director and Associate Director to ensure that all departmental goals are met.

·         Collaborates with other departments to assist with enrollment and retention efforts, performs other job-related duties as assigned.

Conducting Initial Overview with Student:

•          Provide basic overview of financial aid process

•          Assist with filling out FAFSA form

•          Explain forms and direct to web-sites for additional information

•          Provide checklist of documentation needed for second appointment

•          Provide Federal guide (requirement)

Conducting Financial Aid Review with Student:

•          Provide information and assess student financing needs

•          Review FAFSA for Title IV eligibility

•          Counsel on financial aid eligibility and financing options

•          Check Veteran’s Affairs verifications/GI Bill

•          Discuss grants and scholarships

•          Review registration schedule

•          Create cost estimate and review with student

o         Breakdown expenses and fees

o         Discuss any balance and additional private financing options

o         Where applicable – review “parent for loan” option

•          Acquire necessary documents from lenders

•          Provide necessary documents to lenders

•          Enter student data into system

•          Set-up student financing package

Reviewing and Following-up on Initial Packaging:

•          Review ISIR

•          Review any C-flags or H-flags

•          If selected for Federal verification, get verification documents

•          Follow-up on private loan approvals

•          Scan to DRS

•          Submit to Director of Financial Aid for review and processing

•          Work with Bursar to post cash payments

 

Monitoring and Tracking Financial Aid Packages:

•          Review monthly start date reports

•          Review monthly account balance reports

o         Investigate account balance issues

o         Monitor for potential defaults

o         Follow-up on potential and actual defaults

•          Track Sally Mae, government/private scholarship, grant, and private loan postings

•          Track drops and academic dismissals

•          Re-package continuing students

•          Assist with report generation and review as requested.

 

Preparing Graduating and Exiting Students (graduating, dropped, and dismissed students):

•          Conduct exit interviews

•          Discuss payment responsibility

•          Discuss loan consolidation

•          Clear balance with Keiser

 

Motivate Team Performance:

The Senior Financial Aid Administrator is responsible for leading by example in managing their own performance by which they set an example for the other Financial Aid Administrators to follow. To accomplish this, the Senior Financial Aid Administrator:

•          Lead by example with expected activities

•          Effectively package students, acting as a resource as needed in the absence of the Associate Director or Director of Financial Aid.

•          Informally provide support and coaching with other Financial Aid Administrators upon request

 

This position has no direct supervisory responsibilities, but with exceptions as noted above.

 

A minimum of forty hours per week, plus other hours as may be necessary to complete job duties. A combination of day, evening, and weekend hours is required.

·         Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

·         Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.

·         Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

·         Proven ability to work under pressure while maintaining a positive team attitude.

·    Associate’s degree (A.A.) or equivalent from two year college or technical school; six months to one year related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

·   Microsoft 365 (Teams, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, etc.)

 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS - The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

·         While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to regularly stand; walk; sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects; reach with hands and arms; talk and hear.

·         The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.

·         Must possess vision to read printed materials and a computer screen; and hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

 

WORK ENVIRONMENT - The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

·         This position works in an environment with moderate noise level. (Examples: business office with computers and printers, light traffic.)

Note: Nothing in this job specification restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time. Critical features of this job are described under various headings above. They may be subject to change at any time due to reasonable accommodation or other reasons, with or without notice. The above statements are strictly intended to describe the general nature and level of the work being performed. They are not intended to be construed as a complete list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees in this position.