Financial Aid Administrator

The Financial Aid Advisor supports the mission of the Office of Financial Aid by helping students and prospective students locate and
utilize resources to fund their education at the institution while adhering to regulatory requirements. Candidates have the possibility of
working a hybrid schedule after the training period. This full-time, salary, non-exempt position reports to the Associate Director of
Financial Aid. Essential Functions 

• Analyze and verify aid applications to ensure compliance with all state, federal
  financial aid, institutional and program regulations and make awards in line with established guidelines.  
• Provide customer
  service and counsel students on Federal, State and Institutional financial aid as well as scholarship and loan options; serve as information
  resource for financial aid and assigned programs. 
• Advise students as to satisfactory progress within their declared program of
  study.
• Communicate with various on-campus departments through person-to-person, email, phone, Microsoft teams and written
  correspondence and documentation of information specific program requirements.
• Process awards and provide written and verbal
  communication to financial aid applicants and prospective student groups.
• Update necessary application documents each year to
  ensure students apply for and are awarded in a timely manner in line with state and institutional processes and deadlines.
• Manage
  and oversee awarding of Graduate Borrower-Based Loan Programs
• Manage and oversee coordination of Private Loan processing in ELM
• Responsible for auditing of federal loan programs and resolution of errors in the system.
• Manage monthly authorization
  of Federal Work Study program.
• Attend state and regional trainings as necessary to remain current on policies, procedures and
  regulations specific to federal financial aid programs.
• Serve as the first point of contact for students by helping answer
  inbound financial aid calls and responding to emails.  Heavy phone and email volume responsibility daily. 
• Regularly attend
  webinars, meetings, and trainings to stay updated on changing policies and procedures. 
• Follow up on student inquiries regarding
  financial aid process to ensure that aid is packaged and disbursed to their accounts.
• Understand and communicate the award
  policies and procedures and how they affect the student.
• Research and understand the verification process, professional
  judgments, and C-codes.
• Assist with monthly information sessions, open house, financial literacy workshops, and College 101
  courses.
• Participate in a committee to evaluate institutional scholarship applications on an annual basis.
• Accurately
  track all interactions with students and financial aid documents within our student record systems.
• Identify and escalate
  priority issues to the appropriate resources as defined by business practices.
• Research student records and provide detailed
  information regarding tuition and fees, payment plans, etc.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills 
• Must be comfortable working with others over the phone, zoom
  or Microsoft teams, have a clear speaking voice, and a professional and personable demeanor 
• Perform daily responsibilities in a
  professional, friendly, and efficient manner
• Must be self-motivated and willing to seek out new challenges and information
• Able to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team member, communicating concerns and bringing resolution to issues 
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficient with Microsoft Office tools, specifically advanced
  Excel features and Outlook 
• Must be punctual; be able to work with constant interruptions and pressure of deadlines
• Willing to work evening and weekends when required 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experience in higher
  education 
• Previous experience with federal and state financial aid 
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague or other
  student information system, other federal aid systems
• Knowledge of general accounting, tuition, and billing procedures

Please be sure to upload your Resume and Cover Letter with your application. Applications without both the Resume and
Cover Letter will not be considered.

Salary Range: $65,000 – $69,000 annually, depending on experience and
qualifications This will be a full time, hybrid position. Salary is commensurate with experience. DigiPen offers a competitive benefits
package.

Benefits:

• Dental, medical, and vision (begins the first of the month following 60 days of employment)
• Two weeks of vacation in the first year, with increasing accrual each year thereafter
• 14 paid holidays
• An
  additional paid week off between Christmas and New Year’s in addition to personal vacation accrual
• 401K after one year FT
  service, match vested immediately
• Company-paid short- and long-term disability and life insurance after one year
• Free
  DigiPen tuition for yourself to start; discounts for family after one year
• Free campus parking

Consideration for
the position will continue until filled. Interested applicants must submit a cover letter and resume. Upon accepting an offer of
employment with us, the candidate will receive an invitation for a required background check and 5-panel drug screen as a part of the hiring
process.

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