Graduate Financial Aid Counselor, Compliance Lead

Serve as financial aid counselor at the Rinker Campus and/or Orange Campus. Administer and prioritize daily workflow of financial aid activities and provide financial aid guidance to students, parents, faculty, staff and public in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies. Represent Financial Aid Office in various functions that are approved by the Associate Director. Perform other duties as needed to support student services.

Responsibilities

Serve as financial aid counselor at the Rinker Campus and/or Orange Campus

• Administer and prioritize the daily workflow of financial aid activities.
• Provide financial aid guidance, including loan applications, to students, parents, faculty, staff and the public in accordance with all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Utilizing computer applications to determine student eligibility for federal, state, university, and donor provided assistance.
• Exercise appropriate independent judgment in interpreting and applying policies and procedure to ensure consideration of each applicant’s special circumstances.
• Authorize payment of awards to students.
• Make the Director aware of any issues that may compromise compliance with laws, regulations, and policies. Should such issue remain unresolved, inform the Vice President and Dean of Enrollment Management.
• Closely monitor information and documentation in applicants’ file to ensure policies, procedures, and government regulations are observed.
• Participate in the development and update of policies and procedures to achieve enrollment goals, enhance effectiveness and efficiency, and ensure compliance with laws and regulations.
• Conduct loan entrance and exit interviews and educational debt counseling.
• Utilize software from the US Department of Education and Title IV lenders to obtain loan applicant information, report payments, correct applicant data, and acquire information from the department.
• Inform faculty, staff, financial aid office colleagues, and all other interested parties of laws, policies, and procedures relative to financial aid.
• Package assistance in accordance with Chapman University’s enrollment and revenue management system.
• Protect the assets of Chapman University Represent the Financial Aid Office and Chapman University in a positive manner and take ownership of any concerns by resolving them in a favorable manner and improving work.
• Maintain professional currency through active participation and leadership in associations and committees both internal and external to the university.

Represent Financial Aid Office in various functions that are approved by the Director

• Coordinate the design and delivery of programs and services with other university offices. Establish and maintain ongoing communications with university counterparts to ensure integrated efforts.
• Conduct financial aid presentations.
• Serve on Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee.
• Act as an ambassador of the university both on and off campus.

Proactively evaluate internal practices, procedures and policies and recommend changes or enhancements based on current and proposed regulations as they relate to all forms of financial aid.

• Work with the management team to create and implement quality assurance reporting mechanism.
• Work with the management team to update and maintain the policy and procedure manual.
• Provide guidance on regulatory matters.
• Remain current with respect to federal, state and institutional regulations by attending conferences and utilizing web resources such as IFAP, NASFAA webinars, etc.

Required Qualifications

• At least two years of counseling experience in the Financial Aid field and comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations.
• Thorough understanding of need analysis, student budgets, and Federal financial aid packaging and regulations.
• Ability to lead and motivate others.
• Ability to communicate clearly and accurately complex procedures and eligibility rules to Chapman community.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and university laws, regulations, policies, and procedures, and ability to utilize said knowledge into effective, efficient, and compliant financial aid awards to students.
• Knowledge of the components of teamwork, and ability to utilize those components in the office.
• Demonstrate ability to learn and utilize computer software system PeopleSoft.
• Writing skills to enable clear, concise correspondence using proper English
• Ability to incorporate complex rules into job performance.
• Sound interpersonal skills to relate sympathetically with others yet with sufficient detachment to communicate understanding of rules, procedures, and policy.
• Ability to organize tasks and prioritize duties when faced with interruptions, distractions, and fluctuating work load.
• Ability to incorporate changing rules, procedures, and policy into job.
• Ability to analyze effectiveness of university financial aid policy and procedure and make recommendations for improvement.
• Ability to maintain poise in stressful situations.
• Ability to keep information confidential.
• Conflict resolution skills.
• Ability to exercise sound independent judgment and personal initiative.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $64,500.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Flexible schedule
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Parental leave
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Schedule:

• Monday to Friday

Work Location: In person