Description
Description
Summary: Under the immediate supervision of the Assistant Director of Student Financial Services, the Financial Aid Administrator works directly within all aspects of financial aid, ensuring compliance with Federal, State and Institutional rules and regulations, with an emphasis on communication and customer service.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Counsel and advise students regarding eligibility, available aid options based on program/class, application procedures, cost of attendance, keeping indebtedness low through money management, financial planning; individualizing information based on the particular needs and situation of the student/family.
- Provide exceptional customer service to students/families and campus faculty/staff.
- Respond to questions, inquiries or requests from students by phone, in person, virtually or email.
- Calculate and package financial aid awards based on student class/budget; validate eligibility for federal, institutional or other aid.
- Perform verification and/or other monitoring required by federal regulations, institutional policy and other governing agencies as applicable.
- Review institutional and outside scholarship applications and make recommendations to the Director.
- Administer and oversee the awarding of institutional and private grant/scholarship programs.
- Research, coordinate, process, award and document external grants/scholarships for all programs.
- Manage ISIR data; processing corrections, changes/updates through FAA Access to CPS Online or other systems.
- Originate loan applications (Direct, Private, Institutional or other) processing via CX-10, and process electronically through COD, ECSI, ELM, or other systems accordingly.
- Troubleshoot and resolve loan issues utilizing CX-10, COD, and/or Servicers.
- Maintain working knowledge of various federal websites for monitoring and informational purposes (COD, CPS, NSLDS, IFAP, etc).
- Read, comprehend, comply with and maintain knowledge of federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
- Assist in reconciliation of Federal and/or other aid.
- Repackage aid; e.g., calculate and process loan revisions/refunds to lenders/servicers due to change in students’ awards and/or enrollment status.
- Create and analyze various reports to verify eligibility and maintain compliance for all aid types under federal and institutional guidelines; notify students of changes in eligibility or award amount supporting best possible outcome for students.
- Calculate and prepare check requisition for refund of monies to students/lenders/servicers.
- Administer all aspects of the Federal Work-Study Program; participate in outreach activities, manage job postings, process new hire packets, payroll, reconcile/balance FISAP quarterly/annually.
- Review and process budget appeals, and make recommendations to the Assistant Director for consideration of approval/denial through the Director and/or Budget Appeal Committee.
- Assist in updating financial aid publications, applications, forms, Policy and Procedure manual, Catalog and website information, and other materials as necessary.
- Interact effectively as a member of a productive team and work collaboratively with other departments.
Front desk coverage as needed. - Occasional after ‘business’ hours may be necessary.
Presentations:
- Assist with the development, coordination and delivery of presentations, including Sensible Strategies workshops and events (i.e. budgeting, midpoints and exits).
- Perform one-on-one or group presentations and counseling sessions with all students (incoming, inactive/active and graduating students);
- Conduct financial aid presentations for prospective students and other relevant presentations as assigned.
Training:
- Attend training and professional development workshops/seminars/webinars.
- Complete training within six months of employment; maintain CEU credentials annually.
Other Duties:
- Assist with various projects and other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. This individual must have the ability to work in a constant state of alertness and safe manner and must have regular, predictable, in-person attendance. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree required with a minimum of two years’ experience in higher education, in student financial aid or similar position.
Computer Skills
Intermediate to advanced knowledge of Microsoft Word, Office, Excel and PowerPoint; a working knowledge of CX-10 and ELM is highly preferred. Must possess a working knowledge of the Department of Education websites/systems (i.e., COD, CPS, NSLDS, IFAP, 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 occasionally required to stand. The employee is regularly required to walk; reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to sit, Use hands to finger, handle or feel; talk and hear. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close and distance vision.
Work Environment
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.
Midwestern University is a private, not-for-profit organization that provides graduate and post-graduate education in the health sciences. The University has two campuses, one in Downers Grove, Illinois and the other in Glendale, Arizona. More than 6,000 full-time students are enrolled in graduate programs in osteopathic medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, physician assistant studies, physical therapy, occupational therapy, nurse anesthesia, cardiovascular perfusion, podiatry, optometry, clinical psychology, speech language pathology, biomedical sciences and veterinary medicine. Over 500 full-time faculty members and 400 staff members are dedicated to the education and development of our students in an environment that encourages learning, respect for all members of the health care team, service, interdisciplinary scholarly activity, and personal growth.
We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance plans as well as life insurance, short/long term disability and pet insurance. We offer flexible spending accounts including healthcare reimbursement and child/dependent care account. We offer a work life balance with competitive time off package including paid holiday’s, sick/flex days, personal days and vacation days. We offer a 403(b) retirement plan, tuition reimbursement, child care subsidy reimbursement program, identity theft protection and an employee assistance program. Wellness is important to us and we offer a wellness facility on-site with a fully equipped fitness facility.
Midwestern University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer that does not discriminate against an employee or applicant based upon race; color; religion; creed; national origin or ancestry; ethnicity; sex (including pregnancy); gender (including gender expressions, gender identity; and sexual orientation); marital status; age; disability; citizenship; past, current, or prospective service in the uniformed services; genetic information; or any other protected class, in accord with all federal, state and local laws, and regulation. Midwestern University complies with the Smoke-Free Arizona Act (A.R.S. 36-601.01) and the Smoke Free Illinois Act (410 ILCS 82/). Midwestern University complies with the Illinois Equal Pay Act of 2003 and Arizona Equal Pay Acts.
Requirements
Education and/or Experience
Bachelor’s Degree required with a minimum of two years’ experience in higher education, in student financial aid or similar position.
