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Posted: 07-Jan-25
Location: Claremont, California,
Type: Full-time
Internal Number: REQ-7057
Hourly Range: $28.00 - $30.00
Established in 1925, The Claremont Colleges includes five undergraduate liberal arts colleges and two graduate institutions: Pomona College, Claremont Graduate Institution, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, Pitzer College and Keck Graduate Institute. Located on contiguous campuses in the Southern California city of Claremont, each institution has its own student body, faculty, governance, curricular emphasis, culture, and mission. Intercollegiate cooperation provides university-scale services and facilities. With 8,500 students and 3,300 faculty and staff, located on more than 540 acres of land, The Claremont Colleges benefit from the diverse missions, character and culture, as well as the integration of academic and extracurricular programs that make up this truly unique consortium. Nestled in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills, Claremont is 32 miles east of Los Angeles and is a part of the greater Los Angeles County.
Key Relationships: The Senior Financial Aid Counselor works alongside the Office of Financial Aid, Registrar, Student Accounts, Dean of Students Office, Student, Life, Diversity and Leadership Office, and student support specialists under the leadership of the Executive Director of Financial Aid and Student Engagement.
POSITION OVERVIEW
Claremont Graduate University is seeking a financial aid professional with a demonstrated record of depth and breadth of knowledge 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: Individual must possess knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of 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.
LICENSES / CERTIFICATES: (If Applicable, i.e. driver's license)
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 ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles and the like.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Moving about to accomplish tasks or moving from one worksite to another.
☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly
Adjusting or moving objects up to __ pounds in all directions.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Communicating with others to exchange information.
☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly
Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.
☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly
Operating machinery and/or power tools.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Operating motor vehicles or heavy equipment.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Environmental Conditions
Low temperatures.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
High temperatures.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Outdoor elements such as precipitation and wind.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Noisy environments.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Hazardous conditions.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Poor ventilation.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Small and/or enclosed spaces.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
No adverse environmental conditions expected.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Physical Demands
Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.
☐ Never ☐ Occasionally ☒ Constantly
Light work that includes moving objects up to 20 pounds.
☐ Never ☒ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Medium work that includes moving objects up to 50 pounds.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
Heavy work that includes moving objects up to 100 pounds or more.
☒ Never ☐ Occasionally ☐ Constantly
EEO Statement:
Claremont Graduate University is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, gender and/ or gender identity or expression, marital or parental status, national origin, ethnicity, citizenship status, veteran or military status, sex, age, sexual orientation, or physical disability or any other legally protected basis in its employment practice and in admission of students to educational programs and activities in accordance with the requirement of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Title I of the American Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable laws. CGU is committed to affirmative action in employment practices regarding ethnic minorities, the physically challenged, Vietnam-era veterans, and women. This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. Qualified candidates of diverse ethnic and racial backgrounds are encouraged to apply for vacant positions at all levels.
This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of the employment position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others.
It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
Successful completion of criminal background and DMV checks required for final candidate.