"CGU Senior Financial Aid Counselor"

POSITION OVERVIEW

Claremont Graduate University is seeking a financial aid professional with a demonstrated record of depth and breadth of knowledge and ability to navigate the changing landscape of Federal Aid and DOE compliance. The Sr. Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for providing accurate, consistent, and timely financial aid information. The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will have a strong understanding Federal and State regulations, ensure that the office complies with all applicable regulations, and demonstrate a strong student-centered philosophy. He/she will also have a strong understanding of university policy and procedures related to the Financial Aid Office and essential job functions.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will coordinate the Federal Direct and Alternative Loan Programs, TEACH Grant, and Veteran Benefit Awards and Reconciliations.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will work closely with students, staff, administrators, and faculty across the campus.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Loan Programs Coordinator

• Coordinate the Federal Direct and Alternative Loan Programs
• Coordinate the processing of the Federal Direct Loan Programs through Common Origination and Disbursement (COD)
• Process/package Federal loans including Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS
• Process all error queries for Federal loan programs
• Reconcile Federal loan disbursements with Student Accounts
• Request missing documents including MPN's or counseling requirements
• Ensure Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements have been met
• Ensure student loans are within federal loan limits or complete reaffirmation paperwork
• Make adjustments on loans as required
• Follow up on disbursement errors
• Review files for possible budget and award adjustments (over-awards)
• Review appropriate PeopleSoft reports to ensure all aid is posted to Student Accounts
• Process certification requests and disbursements for private loans
• Process disbursements and drawdown reports to Student Accounts

Fellowships

• Assist with processing new and continuing CGU fellowships
• Revise and adjust fellowships as needed
• Seek appropriate approval when needed
• Follow up on missing information when appropriate
• Review appropriate PeopleSoft reports to ensure all aid is posted to Student Accounts
• Monitor and process Teacher Education fellowships

Awarding

• Collaborate with the School Certifying Official and coordinate Veterans awards, including the Yellow Ribbon Program
• Perform review of ISIR's to determine need and eligibility for financial assistance
• Determine type(s) and amount(s) of financial aid to be awarded
• Review files for possible budget and award adjustments (over-awards)
• Process files in accordance with federal verification regulations

Customer Service

• Provide in depth financial aid counseling to students as needed
• Answer questions about any program in a student's financial aid package, in person, Zoom, or by email with students and staff
• Respond to telephone calls, email messages and Microsoft Teams messages from students, faculty, and staff
• Ability to handle large volumes of work and accurately track numerous details
• Ability to work with high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment with numerous interruptions
• Review relevant professional publications, and take action as appropriate to remain informed of legislative and other changes affecting financial aid programs and administration
• Create and administer oral presentations at student orientations as needed
• Represent the Financial Aid Office at the New Student Orientation Resource Fair

Other duties assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES

• Must have excellent technical skills to work with PeopleSoft (Student Information System) and MS Excel spreadsheets
• Must have excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must have customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people while handling high volume and multiple tasks
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION:

Bachelor's degree or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability.

EXPERIENCE:

A minimum of seven years of financial aid experience required. Experience using PeopleSoft and proficiency with Microsoft Office.

HOURS:

The regular hours for this position are 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM Monday through Friday. Hours may vary due to needs of the university. This position is on site with the flexibility to work remotely up to 2 days per week with supervisor approval.

CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS:

Non-Exempt (Hourly)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY:

Work-study students

REPORTS TO:

Director of Financial Aid

Physical Activities

Ascending or descending: Occasionally; Moving self: Occasionally; Stationary position: Occasionally; Moving about: Constantly; Moving objects: Occasionally; Communicating: Constantly; Repeating motions: Constantly; Operating machinery: Never; Operating vehicles: Occasionally; Assessing work: Occasionally.

Environmental Conditions

Low/High temperatures, outdoor elements, noisy environments: Occasionally; Hazardous, poor ventilation, small spaces: Never; No adverse conditions: Never.

Physical Demands

Sedentary work: Constantly; Light work: Occasionally; Medium/Heavy work: Never.