Chief Objective of Position
The Financial Aid and Loan Coordinator is responsible for overseeing all federal and private loan certifications, disbursements, and reconciliations. The Coordinator must ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations. This position is also responsible for counseling and advising financial aid applicants, their parents, and the general public about the financial aid application process, student eligibility, and the availability of additional financial resources. Additional duties include managing a caseload of students to process federal, state, and institutional aid.
Work Tasks
Administration of Loan Programs
Manages the processing of all types of student loans (federal and private).
Completes the certification for student loan applications.
Downloads and transmits student loan files from ELM and COD for student loan disbursement.
Coordinates with the Business Office and processes loan disbursements electronically.
Sends required disbursement notices to student and parent borrowers.
Serves as liaison between lending institutions, student loan servicers, and the Office of Financial Aid.
Opens Federal Parent PLUS Loan application on the Federal Student Aid website each summer.
Researches and develops new reports/information for students and their parents concerning private loans and outside loans; prepares information for dissemination via email, internet, open houses, etc.
Reconciles loan funds disbursed with the Business Office.
Troubleshoots loans not disbursed.
Actively resolves loan issues on behalf of students and parents.
Notifies lenders of changes to student eligibility and returns unused portions of checks/funds.
Develops and coordinates the Entrance and Exit Counseling Programs, informing incoming students of entrance counseling requirements, informing separating students and graduating seniors of the exit counseling requirements, and maintaining accurate documentation of the required exit and entrance counseling for each borrower.
Develops and coordinates a process for default prevention of former CNU students.
Act as primary contact for all student loan questions.
Counsel students, both as first-time borrowers and graduates, in accordance with federal regulations.

Needs Analysis, Awarding, and Revised Packaging
Stays up to date on federal and state legislation, regulations, and guidance that relate to student financial aid programs.
Recalculates eligibility and makes appropriate adjustments to the student record, aid package, and/or disbursement.
Completes a series of manual reviews to include degree confirmation, housing exemptions, loan limits, Pell lifetime eligibility, waivers, unusual enrollment history, and default clearance.
Conducts a series of quality control reviews to ensure financial awards are following federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines.
Determines the eligibility of applicants for federal, state, and university financial aid funds based on evaluation of financial need as determined by federal or state regulation and the Department of Education.
Maintains knowledge of financial aid packaging policies and best practices as identified by federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
Ensures that student resources and other aid funds are appropriately reported and that financial aid is packaged within the appropriate budget.
Ensures students are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to Federal and state regulations; ensures that students on SAP Appeal are meeting the conditions of their appeal in order to maintain eligibility.
Serve as back up for Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) processing and reviews.

Outreach and Customer Service
Maintains a caseload of students as determined by office needs.
Represents the Office of Financial Aid at Open Houses, Admitted Freshman Days, community workshops, etc.
Serves as a liaison with other University offices such as Admission, Registrar’s, Student Accounts, etc.
Provides information regarding all of the procedures and requirements of a financial aid program and the application process.
Makes accurate assessments and evaluations of a student’s application status and financial need determination and effectively communicates this information while meeting the privacy guidelines within FERPA regulations.
Assists with coverage of front desk operations, including main office phone line, general office email, and in person student visits.
Develops and maintains positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees.
Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect while fully supporting the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service.
This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty.
Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absences.
Promote a safe and healthy work environment by ensuring the implementation of safety regulations and applicable standards, processes, and programs established for employees under your supervision.
Report work-related incidents within 24 hours according to the procedures established by the university, state and federal guidelines.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) related to position
Attention to detail; ability to maintain a high level of accuracy in reviewing documents and implement changes to policy quickly and effectively.
Interpersonal relations skills; demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with a wide range of people, especially students and parents, and counsel effectively.
Human relations skills; develop rapport; sensitivity; listening skills; provide support for others.
Organizational skills; initiate new ideas; handle details; decision making; manage conflict; implement decisions; manage time; meet goals, accept responsibility.
Administrative and interpersonal communications skills; excellent oral and written communication skills.
Strong commitment to customer satisfaction.
Excellent problem solving and critical thinking skills.
Ability to partner with others across the University and externally to exchange information, collaborate on projects, share resources, etc.
Strong computer skills, including the ability to use and understand complex computer software programs.
Ability to adapt to change and to learn about and integrate specialized and/or upgraded software packages utilized by the University.
Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills
Possesses the ability to respond and communicate effectively while multi-tasking between processing tasks.
Required Education
Master’s degree; or Bachelor’s degree and work experiences that equates to an advanced degree.

Additional Consideration - Education
Master’s Degree, or higher, in College Student Personnel, Counseling, Educational Psychology, Higher Education, or a related field, at the time of start date.
Experience Required
Experience in interpreting complex policies and regulations.
Experience in dealing with difficult situations and diffusing customer conflict.
Experience in working with confidential records and information.