Financial Aid Advisor

Work from Home (WFH)

Remote work must be performed while residing in California, Florida or New Mexico

San Diego, CA and Albuquerque, NM

Financial Aid Advising Manager

Non-exempt

Full-time

Evaluates, approves, and awards financial aid to students in accordance with federal, state, and school regulations, policies, and operating guidelines. Assesses financial needs of students and advises students and/or parents regarding financial aid options, processes, and requirements. This position will also evolve into processing other funding types.

• Analyzes and evaluates financial viability of students and families and provides advice and counsel regarding available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the application process
• Work closely with admission advisors to complete new enrollment packets each term
• Maintains historic documents and data regarding financial aid files according to federal guidelines
• Adheres to and is knowledgeable of appropriate guidelines relating to FERPA and CIAT policy on the release of records and information to a third party
• Reviews and assesses eligibility of applications for financial aid; exercises professional judgment to determine whether adjustments should be made
• Reviews for accuracy and provides signature approval/disapproval of loan applications, promissory notes, and other financial documents
• Develop, modify, implement, and maintain the application intake and tracking process for proper documentation of all awards for audit trail
• Prove, and/or revise all financial aid packaging for all qualified applicants in accordance with federal, state, institutional and other policies, and procedures
• Provide information on the telephone, video calls and through electronic chat, to students, prospective students, and families regarding student financial aid, and account balance
• Conduct workshops and/or presentations to students, parents, and/or other interested parties on financial aid policy and procedural issues
• Utilize the student management system to record all student account information
• Review the Finance section in ISIR and ensure documentation for all standards is complete, accurate and well written
• Identify areas of deficiency and bring creative solutions
• Work to financially clear all new student files before the start of the term by collecting documents to clear verifications/c-codes
• Provide financial projections within the school guidelines that are most favorable to students
• Upload documents and work with FAS (third party agency) to ensure all files are cleared and ready to be disbursed within a maximum of 45 days from the start of the program
• Adhere to CIAT’s compliance requirements to ensure all Federal, State, accreditation, and institutional policies and procedures are being met
• Follow communication guidelines to ensure high levels of customer service and professionalism
• Embody CIAT’s mission, vision, purpose, and values

• Preferred bachelor’s or associate degree and four years related experience; or any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties
• Broad knowledge of federal financial aid programs and recordkeeping requirements
• Knowledge of higher education processes, supervisory and personnel practices, communication techniques and computer software
• General knowledge of accounting practices, data processing and computer applications
• Detail oriented, outstanding research and analytical skills
• Ability to multitask
• Works with a sense of urgency, while engaging and listening to experts
• Exhibits a high degree of flexibility in adapting to a rapidly changing environment
• Problem solve rapidly and effectively
• Strong organizational skills with the proven ability to prioritize
• Process tasks in a timely manner
• Work independently with minimal supervision
• Capability to handle confidential and sensitive information, following confidentiality guidelines
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively convey information and interact with students, colleagues, and others
• Ability to…