Job Title:
Financial Aid Advisor & VA Certifying Official

Institution/Agency:
DigiPen Institute of Technology

Link to application for this position:
http://digipen.hrmdirect.com/employment/job-opening.php?req=988667&&cust_sort1=98084&#job

Salary:
•This will be a full-time position. Salary is commensurate with experience. DigiPen offers a competitive benefits package.

Job Location:
Preferred
9931 Willows Rd NE
Redmond WA 98052

Application Deadline:
Until Filled

Description:
Job Description

DigiPen’s Financial Aid Office is looking for an energetic and motivated individual to become part of our wonderful financial aid team. The position requires someone who is committed to providing excellent financial aid services to DigiPen students, prospective students, and their families. The Financial Aid Administrator plays a central role in advising students and families in funding options for their education by evaluating their financial needs. In addition, this candidate will be responsible for accurately awarding and maintaining current student financial packaging by document collection, follow-up, and processing files. This candidate is well-rounded and thrives in a fast-paced atmosphere.

 

Responsibilities:

Veterans Services

•Collect and approve documentation for VA students, certify enrollment, tuition and fees each semester in VA Once system and monitor enrollment levels for all students with VA funding.

•Advise students as to satisfactory progress within their declared program of study and to rules and regulations specific to VA education guidelines.

•Provide information to students eligible for, and receiving VA educational benefits. Answer inquiries concerning VA education benefits. Determine individuals' specific eligibility for type (chapter) of VA education benefits and assist students in the application process for appropriate chapter of VA education benefits.

•Communicate to various Department of Veterans Affairs agencies through person-to-person, email, electronic Internet transmission, phone, fax, and written correspondence and documentation of information specific to VA Education Benefits program requirements.

•Interpret, review and develop program specific procedures, rules and regulations regarding VA education benefits specific to eligible veterans and eligible dependents of veterans.

•Attend state and regional trainings as necessary to remain current on policies, procedures, and regulations specific to VA education benefits and programs.

 

Customer Service

•Serve as the first point of contact for students answering inbound calls and responding to emails. Heavy phone and email volume responsibility daily.

•Utilize available resources (personal knowledge base, student handbook, internal systems, etc.).

•Accurately track all interactions with students and financial aid documents within our student record systems.

•Identify and escalate priority issues to the appropriate resources as defined by business practices.

 

Financial Aid

•Analyze and verify aid applications to ensure compliance with all state, federal financial aid, scholarship and veterans’ program regulations and make awards in line with established guidelines.

•Provide customer service and counsel students on Federal, State and Institutional financial aid as well as scholarship and loan options; serve as information resource for financial aid, scholarship and veterans’ programs.

•Regularly attend webinars, meetings, and trainings to stay updated on changing policies and procedures.

•Counsel students on Federal, State and Institutional financial aid as well as scholarship and loan options.

•Follow up on student inquiries regarding financial aid process to ensure that aid is packaged and disbursed to their accounts.

•Communicate with Registrar’s Office to ensure accurate information is updated in the Student Record System.

•Understand and communicate the award policies and procedures and how it affects the student.

•Research and understand the verification process, professional judgments, and C-codes.

•Other duties as assigned.

•Assist with monthly information sessions, open house, financial literacy workshops and College 101 courses.

•Participate in a committee to evaluate institutional scholarship applications on an annual basis.

•Evaluate SAP at the end of each semester and communicate effects to students accordingly.

 

Financial Literacy

•Promote an understanding of various financial topics among current students.

•Create informational literature (posters, bulletin boards, flyers) to promote financial literacy awareness.

•Update and maintain scholarship resources for students.

•Student Accounts

•Understanding of math, finance, computers and DigiPen’s billing cycles.

•Research student records and provide detailed information regarding tuition and fees, payment plans, etc.

•Comply with DigiPen, State and Federal regulations and procedures.

 

Qualifications:
Qualifications:

•Bachelor’s Degree

•Excellent communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills

•Must be comfortable working with others over the telephone, have a clear speaking voice and a professional and personable demeanor

•Perform daily responsibilities in a professional, friendly and efficient manner

•Must be self-motivated and willing to seek out new challenges and information

•Able to work independently as well as collaboratively as a team member, communicating concerns and bringing resolution to issues

•Must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills

•Proficient with Microsoft Office tools, specifically advanced Excel features and Outlook

•Must be punctual; be able to work with constant interruptions and pressure of deadlines, and willing to work evening and weekends when required

 

Preferred Qualifications:

•1-3 years financial aid experience

•Knowledge of Federal Financial Aid Regulations

•Experience with PowerFAIDS, EdExpress, QuickBooks, ELM, NSLDS, COD a plus

•Knowledge of general accounting, tuition and billing procedures a plus

Will you accept electronic resumes?:
Yes