Financial Aid Coordinator

Pay Range

Overview

The Financial Aid Coordinator provides financial aid support for undergraduate students by providing information, advice and counsel to students, parents and staff regarding financial aid regulations and programs, including how aid impacts invoices. The position oversees the financial aid packaging for special groups, administers restricted scholarships, administers the federal work-study program, and manages eligibility assessments for special circumstances and is responsible for the overall management of the financial aid section of the website.

Responsibilities

Student Caseload Management• Responsible for the overall financial aid management of a caseload of students. Financial aid management includes independent decision-making beginning with receipt of the ISIR to initial packaging and follow-up as required in order to meet departmental goals and ensure compliance. The entire aid application process includes ISIR review, verification, resolution of c-codes and conflicting information, special circumstances and appeals processing (professional judgement), needs analysis, packaging, TAP eligibility determination, review of suspended and subsequent ISIRs, aid revisions. A general understanding of financial aid satisfactory academic progress policies and procedures is also required• Maintain a high level of knowledge regarding federal, state, and University aid programs and regulations• Review special circumstance appeals using the team approach to make professional judgment determinations in accordance with federal regulations and university policies, recalculate aid eligibility and revise aid packages. Counsel students and parents with unusual circumstances about financial aid policies and aid eligibility• Interact daily with and counsel students and parents regarding financial aid issues• Act as a liaison with other departments regarding financial aid regulations, awarding, and student concerns

Packaging and Awarding of Student Aid – Federal, State and Institutional Aid• Retain full responsibility for packaging special programs, including Honors• Work directly with The Clarkson School to revise and adjust aid packages based on changes and updates to eligibility• Responsible for evaluating and sending estimated financial aid packages to current Clarkson School students to assist them in making the decision to continue at Clarkson University• Service as liaison to the Army and Air Force ROTC departments. Evaluate aid eligibility for state, federal and institutional aid for students receiving ROTC scholarships and create financial aid packages according to ROTC contract and federal guidelines. Calculate Clarkson ROTC scholarship amounts. Oversee ROTC contract process• Coordinate the awarding of the Student Services Support Grant with Student Affairs• Manage the awarding of veteran aid and ensure compliance with VA and Title IV regulations. Serve as liaison with the Registrar’s Office to ensure accurate and timely awarding of all students in the veteran programs including the Yellow Ribbon program, Chapter 33, Chapter 30 and Vocational Rehabilitation. Serve as liaison to graduate schools regarding VA students and programs• Liaison with NYSED to ensure proper packaging of Access-VR

Management of Restricted Scholarships including Endowed, Sponsored and Share and University Recognition Awards• Responsible for the overall management and administration of the restricted scholarship programs including student selection, eligibility review, awarding and budgetary maintenance• Endowed and sponsored scholarships total over $2,000,000 annually• Act as the financial aid liaison to various academic departments to coordinate the student selection process for specific scholarships• Work directly with Donor Relations to ensure donors’ specifications are met including management of the ‘Thank You’ process• Responsible for revising aid packages for awards presented at University Recognition Day (URD)• Create and maintain item types for restricted, sponsored, share scholarships• Responsible for the coordination and awarding of Home Bureau and Presidential Scholarships

Federal Work-Study Program Administration• Responsible for the overall administration of the federal work-study program• Coordinates both on and off campus work-study agreements• Establishes procedures to ensure individual student earnings do not exceed eligibility• Works closely with the Controller’s Office, Payroll, and Director of Budgets and Planning to monitor federal work-study expenditures• Serves as a resource for both on and off-campus employers

Website Management• Manage financial aid sections of the website• Review website on regular basis and contact appropriate financial aid staff throughout the year for updated information and forms• Liaison with website staff and responsible for submitted updates on a timely basis• Provides recommendations for financial aid team for updates and improvements needed• Monitor university website for compliance issues and other consumer disclosure requirements

 Technical• Assist the Director with testing of new bundles/images in PeopleSoft• Create new item types and update existing item types as needed

Additional Duties• Actively pursue training and knowledge regarding changes in federal and state regulations• Assist the Director of Financial Aid in ensuring compliance with all university policies and state and federal financial aid regulations• Assist the Director of Financial Aid in developing policies and procedures• Serve as the Financial Aid Office representative on institutional committees as deemed appropriate by Director• Maintain active membership in professional organizations including NASFAA, NYSFAAA, and EASFAA• Perform other related duties including special projects and research as needed

Qualifications

Education: Minimal Qualifications: • Bachelor’s Degree in business, accounting, finance, or related fieldExperience:Minimal Experience: • 2 years of experience in financial aid or related field

Preferred Experience:• Experience with PeopleSoft, ELM, EDconnect, NSLDS, FPS, COD• In-depth knowledge of federal financial aid programs and regulations

Essential Skills

Essential Skills: • Perform various financial aid functions and processes utilizing an in-depth knowledge and understanding of federal, state, and institutional regulations pertaining to student eligibility, verification, awarding, disbursement, cost of attendance, administrative capability, and compliance• Independent judgment, analytical and problem solving skills• Willingness to learn new skills• Proficient computer skills• Ability to work independently and as part of a team• Maintain an in-depth knowledge and understanding of federal and state regulations pertaining to all aspects of financial aid administration• Excellent oral and written communication, organizational and interpersonal skills• Ability to meet deadlines and handle a variety of tasks and sensitive issues while maintaining a professional, collaborative, responsible, cooperative, and polite demeanor• Other duties as assigned• Occasional evening and weekend hours required

Physical Demands

The physical demands characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Health & Safety

Health & Safety: All staff has a statutory responsibility to take reasonable care of themselves, others and the environment and to prevent harm by their acts or omissions. All staff is therefore required to adhere to the University’s Health, Safety, and Environmental Policy & Procedures.

Disclaimer Statement

DISCLAIMER: The above statements are designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, skills, and qualifications required of personnel so classified.

EEO Statement

Special Instructions to Applicants: An equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, Clarkson actively seeks and encourages applications from veterans and people with disabilities. 

All offers of employment are subject to the applicant successfully passing a background check (including, but not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, and criminal records

Salary : $2,000,000