CGU- Financial Aid Specialist II

Established in 1925, The Claremont Colleges includes five undergraduate liberal arts colleges and two graduate institutions: Pomona College, Claremont Graduate University, 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, and 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 part of the greater Los Angeles County.

Key Relationships: Under the leadership of the Director of Financial Aid and Student Engagement, the Financial Aid Specialists work closely with the Office of Admissions, Registrar, Student Accounts, Dean of Students Office, Student, Life, Diversity and Leadership Office, and Student Support Specialists.

Salary Range: $20.00 - $23.00

POSITION OVERVIEW

Claremont Graduate University seeks a financial aid professional with a demonstrated record of depth and breadth of knowledge and ability to navigate the changing landscape of Federal Aid and DOE compliance. The Financial Aid Specialist provides accurate, consistent, timely financial aid information to our students, staff, and faculty. The specialist understands Federal and State regulations, ensures that the office follows all applicable laws, and demonstrates a student-centered philosophy. The Financial Aid Specialist will understand university policy and procedures related to the Financial Aid Office and essential job functions. The Financial Aid Specialist will remain abreast of any regulatory changes related to their program, notify the director of any impacts to CGU constituencies, and recommend changes to policy and procedure.

The specialist will be required to administer Federal, State, and institutional aid programs and work closely with students, staff, administrators, and faculty across the campus.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Serve as coordinator of OFA and Student Engagement programs.

• Coordinate the processing of Fellowships, award entry, fellowship adjustments and corrections, veteran benefit eligibility, overview of benefit awards and entry.

• Lead workshops and webinars with incoming students. Create workshops for specific student audiences, such as Veterans.

• Present workshops and webinars to students, staff, and faculty on relevant topics as assigned.

• Primary point of contact for student appointments includes consulting, advising, and determining student costs and eligibility.

• Primary in retrieving and responding to phone and email messages.

• Assist the Sr. Financial Aid Counselor in adjusting and correcting fellowship awards for new and continuing CGU fellowships.

• Follow up on missing student information when appropriate.

• Review appropriate PeopleSoft reports to ensure all aid is posted to student accounts.

• Collaborate with the Sr. Financial Aid Counselor and School Certifying Official (SCO) to enter veteran benefits, including Yellow Ribbon and Ahmanson Veteran awards.

• Maintain compliance and monthly reconciliation.

Customer Service

• Provide in-depth financial aid counseling to students.

• Answer questions about any program in a student's financial aid package virtually or in person with students and staff.

• Respond to telephone inquiries and emails from external agencies, faculty, and staff.

• Possess the ability to handle large volumes of work and accurately track numerous details.

• Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment with numerous interruptions.

• Review relevant professional publications and act as appropriate to remain informed of legislative and other changes affecting financial aid programs and administration.

• Create and administer presentations at student orientations as needed.

• Represent the Financial Aid Office at university-wide and signature co-curricular events.

Other duties assigned by supervisor.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: The 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 exceptional 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 three to five years of financial aid experience is required. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite is also required. Experience using student information systems (SIS) and Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems is required. Experience with Oracle PeopleSoft is preferred.

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 the university's needs. This position is on-site, but with supervisor approval, it can be worked remotely up to 2 days per week.

CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS: Non-Exempt (Hourly)

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Work-study students

REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid and Student Success

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.