CAP Assessment Consultant – Financial Aid (Project-Based)

College Aid Services

98d

About The Position

College Aid Services is seeking CAP Assessment Consultants to join our Comprehensive Assessment Program (CAP) team on a project basis. In this role, you will leverage your expertise in financial aid to perform detailed evaluations of client operations, focusing on staff performance, regulatory compliance, and system optimization. You will provide actionable recommendations that strengthen compliance, streamline processes, and improve the student experience. You’ll join a team of experts, each bringing specialized knowledge in areas such as compliance, technology optimization, and other key aspects of financial aid operations. This is an opportunity to collaborate with higher education leaders, influence meaningful change at institutions across the country, and stay at the forefront of financial aid best practices and technology.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in business, higher education administration, or a related field (advanced degree preferred but not required).
• Minimum of 10 years of professional experience in higher education, with at least 5 years focused on financial aid operations.
• Proven expertise in compliance assessment, staff performance evaluation, business process improvement, or system optimization and utilization.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver constructive recommendations that drive institutional effectiveness and student success.
• Strong organizational and leadership capabilities with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings clearly to diverse audiences.
• Active listening and collaboration skills to engage effectively with institutional teams.
• Strategic and analytical thinker with effective problem-solving abilities.
• Adaptability to diverse institutional environments and changing regulatory landscapes.

Nice To Haves

• NASFAA Credentials or related certifications.
• Experience with multiple SIS/ERP systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft, Colleague).
• Active participation in financial aid professional associations.

Responsibilities

• Execute assigned project scopes to meet client goals, including interviews with staff and leadership, file/documentation review, and process analysis.
• Assess institutions’ adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations and requirements.
• Conduct a comprehensive evaluation of financial aid processes, policies, and financial controls.
• Assess how student information systems are utilized, identify gaps, and recommend strategies to optimize efficiency and accuracy.
• Ensure compliance and recommend improvements in student communications, enrollment management, and service delivery.
• Evaluate office structure, interdepartmental collaboration, and workflow efficiencies.
• Analyze institutional financial aid processing setups, including annual configurations, packaging rules, ISIR imports/exports, loan setup, Pell and Direct Loan reconciliation, and SAP processes.
• Prepare comprehensive reports and debriefs summarizing findings and recommendations for institutional leadership.
• Work as part of a team of specialists to deliver high-quality, consistent CAP assessments.

Benefits

• Flexible assignment commitment with the ability to choose which projects to accept.
• Opportunity to work on multiple projects per year.

What This Job Offers

• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees