Financial Aid Advisor

Description Work from Home (WFH) - Remote work must be performed while residing in California, New Mexico, Florida or Massachusetts CIAT Location: San Diego, CA and Albuquerque, NM Reports to: Financial Aid Advising Manager Status: Non-exempt Employment Type: Full-time Summary 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. Responsibilities 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 Requirements 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 communicate effectively and professionally with other team members Team player with a positive, can-do attitude Proficient in the use of standard Microsoft Office software products, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and MS Project and ability to learn additional software products Self‑motivated with a strong work ethic, dedicated to quality, quantity, results and timeliness Demonstrated ability to anticipate needs and exercise independent judgmen Excellent analytical skills, problem resolution skills and general business acumen Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues, academic departments, and administration to support student success, achieve institutional goals and contribute to a positive and inclusive culture Position may require work responsibilities outside of normal business hours to accommodate business needs and deadlines Flexible to work longer hours to meet deadlines, if needed Able to handle sensitive information with a high degree of confidentiality Possess high ethical standards, being an example of professionalism to others Must be able to embody CIAT’s mission, vision, purpose, and values Position Type and Expected Hours of Work This is a full‑time position. Days and hours of work are Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend and evening hours may be required. Supervisory Responsibility This position has no supervisory responsibilities. Physical Demands These physical demands are representative of the physical requirements necessary for an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. Reasonable accommodation can be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the described essential functions: Essential functions of this role require sitting for extended periods of time. Ability to type, use a computer to search for information and input information while speaking on the phone is required. Requires daily use of a personal computer and related software applications at a workstation. Requires dependability and excellent attendance records. May require occasional travel to conduct CIAT business. The employee will be required to compute simple mathematical calculations as a normal part of this role. Work Environment While performing the responsibilities of this remote position, the job holder will work in a home office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable people with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. This role routinely involves using standard office equipment such as computers, phones, and virtual communication tools. Employees are expected to ensure that their home office is a safe and ergonomic working environment, as the company will for employees working on campus. Employees must maintain data security and confidentiality in accordance with company policies and use secure connections for all work‑related activities. Expectations regarding work hours, availability, and time tracking will be clearly communicated and must be adhered to. This remote work policy is designed to comply with all relevant local, state, and federal laws. When in the office When in the office, employees are expected to follow all workplace safety rules, security protocols, and professional conduct guidelines. They should maintain a clean and organized work area, be punctual, and actively engage in in‑person meetings, collaboration, and training as scheduled. The in‑office environment may involve occasional noise, shared workspaces, and use of common areas, and employees are expected to be respectful of others working nearby. AAP/EEO Statement California Institute of Applied Technology provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, California Institute of Applied Technology complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training. California Institute of Applied Technology expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of California Institute of Applied Technology employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge. Other Duties Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time, with or without notice. Salary Range The starting salary range for the Financial Aid Advisor is $24.00- $27.00 hourly/DOE. We base salary offers on a variety of considerations, such as education, experience, equity and other business and organizational needs. #J-18808-Ljbffr California Institute of Applied Technology