Financial Aid Counselor and Specialist - College of Medicine

Charles R. Drew University•Los Angeles, CA

10d•Onsite

About The Position

Under the general direction of the Associate Director of Financial Aid, and Sr. Associate Dean, Student Affairs and Admissions, the Financial Aid Counselor and Specialist will support the Office of Student Affairs and Admissions, College of Medicine. This role is responsible for serving as a subject matter expert and developing effective and proactive advising strategies and solutions for College of Medicine Financial Aid applicants and recipients. The specialist advises, processes, documents, and recommends within delegated authority. This role shall also be responsible for performing program coordination, reviewing eligibility, responding to a high volume of requests for information, and shall serve as the main point of contact for walk-in and phone traffic for College of Medicine students.

Requirements

3 to 4 years of professional work experience required.
3 years of financial aid counseling or administration, including two years directly serving graduate or professional health sciences students.
Bachelor’s degree required.
Must demonstrate high-quality customer service orientation and ability to effectively collaborate with students, parents, staff, and outside organizations.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Must be able to interpret and explain university and federal policies to students and parents.
Demonstrated capacity to work both autonomously and collaboratively within a team.
Ability to work efficiently and maintain accuracy under shifting priorities.
Demonstrates maturity, professionalism, and discretion, with a high level of awareness and care when handling sensitive and confidential information.
Proficient with personal computer office applications, e-mail, and (I.e. Google Suite, Microsoft).
Ability to learn software applications specific to admissions and enrollment management, as well as customer service and customer relations management.
Ability to quickly learn and maintain awareness of university functions, policies, and available resources.
Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors, and customers in multiple facets (i.e. face to face, via Zoom, and over the phone).
The ability to perform highly detailed work with sustained attention and care while providing/obtaining information on numerous inquiries is paramount to success in this position.
Ability to work effectively with a diverse community.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with financial aid software packages.

Responsibilities

Counsels and advises prospective, current, and continuing students and their families regarding financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, application processes, and available financial resources.
Advises students and families on how to effectively utilize and leverage available financial aid resources to meet educational expenses and minimize educational debt.
Provides guidance to students regarding loan borrowing, debt management, repayment considerations, and financial aid rights and responsibilities.
Corresponds effectively and in a timely manner with students regarding financial aid eligibility, academic progress, documentation requirements, awards, and other financial aid matters.
Updates financial aid information session and new student orientation presentations and participates in sessions for prospective and current students as needed.
Participates in campus and community outreach activities to provide information regarding financial aid programs, services, and resources.
Includes award reconciliation, renewal requirements, service commitments where applicable, and documentation of counseling access and effectiveness.
Responsible for a planned sequence of advising, financial education, and debt management activities from matriculation through graduation.
Interprets and applies federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and regulations to ensure accurate, consistent, and equitable administration of financial assistance.
Stays current on federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies, regulations, and compliance requirements and applies current guidance to student financial aid administration.
Receives and reviews financial aid documents from students and families and prepares files for review, eligibility determination, and financial aid packaging.
Assists with application follow-up, communication processes, and federal and institutional financial aid.
Prepares and updates financial aid award notifications in accordance with established policies.
Ensures compliance with federal regulations, state law, CDU Executive Orders, and institutional policies in the administration of student financial aid.
Assists with Budget Appeal applications and Loan Modification Requests in accordance with established policies and procedures.
Assists with special projects related to financial aid administration, which may include coordinating debt management programs and external scholarship opportunities.
Maintains accurate and complete student financial aid records and files in accordance with institutional policies and applicable recordkeeping requirements.
Prepares, organizes, and maintains student financial aid records and documentation to support accurate processing and compliance.
Maintains the accuracy and integrity of financial aid records and information within financial aid databases and related systems.
Reviews and follows up on outstanding documentation and maintains appropriate records of student eligibility and financial aid activity.
Assists the COM Associate Director with financial aid system setup, testing, annual updates, and resolution of system-related issues.
Assists with the daily operations of the financial aid office, including front-counter customer service, telephone coverage, mailings, data entry and retrieval, file organization, and other operational activities as assigned.
Supports the implementation and maintenance of financial aid processing workflows and procedures.
Assists with operational projects and process improvement initiatives as assigned.