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.

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About CGU Claremont Graduate University

The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of five undergraduate liberal arts colleges, two graduate institutions, and Claremont University Consortium, which provides shared institutional support services, is reminiscent of the Oxford-Cambridge model. The undergraduate colleges include Pomona College, Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer College. The two graduate institutions include Claremont Graduate University and Keck Graduate Institute.

Connections working at CGU Claremont Graduate University