Financial Aid Administrator

Administrator, Financial Aid Systems

Success starts at Community College of Philadelphia. Innovators and difference makers work at Community College of Philadelphia. Diversity thrives at Community College of Philadelphia. We are a college that is committed to promoting a work environment that attracts and retains talented and diverse faculty and staff. We challenge each other and ourselves to achieve at the highest level while contributing to the mission of the College and the betterment of Philadelphia. We value and support an intellectually dynamic community to prepare our students for global citizenship. Join us and become a part of a community that has long been and will continue to be generators of generational chance in this city and beyond.

Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate-degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

Position Summary

The Administrator, Financial Aid Systems is responsible for the day to day support of office operations related to the administration of various financial aid programs and supports both the Manager of Financial Aid Services and Outreach, and Manager of Financial Aid Operations. In addition, this position coordinates the intake process for students who need financial aid counseling, provides expertise while assisting front counter staff in responding to students with questions related to financial aid, collaborates with the Student Tuition Assistance Office and various other offices to research and resolve financial aid payment problems, bookstore credits, holds and other matters affecting student aid. The Financial Aid Systems Administrator counsels students and parents on financial aid, and reviews, verifies and awards financial aid packages.

Essential Responsibilities

• Prepares required reports for the Office of Financial Aid, runs lists and labels on various cohorts of applicants, reviews and verifies financial aid applications, and award financial aid funds.
• Functions as a "power user" for the Banner Financial Aid module; works collaboratively with the Systems Analyst to create/update office reporting and internal auditing needs; serves as a point of contact for troubleshooting operational issues reported by the Financial Aid staff and reviews and reconciles data exception reports.
• Tracks documentation received by students; maintains and updates the document imaging in BDMS and Dynamic Forms; assists with the technical and functional support of daily request processing using the document imaging and workflow systems; tracks, creates and merges files as appropriate.
• Responsible for creating, updating, and managing the Office of Financial Aid electronic forms, automated electronic communications, and the Office of Financial Aid website content.
• Assists the Manager, Financial Aid Services and Outreach with all electronic student-centered communications via email and text messaging (Mongoose/Cadence).
• Serves as the Office point of contact for oversight of the customer service appointment systems (QLess).
• Oversees the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) function including the timely processing of SAP Appeals, completion of Banner job processes, maintaining compliance, and written communications to students related to aid eligibility for the next semester.
• Collaborates with the Counseling Department regarding academic plans for student success; assists the Appeals Committee with reviewing student appeals for financial aid consideration.
• Responsible for the administrative oversight of reviewing and evaluating academic transcripts for Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) reviews to determine financial aid eligibility.
• Counsels and communicates with prospective and continuing students, parents and families regarding the financial aid application process and eligibility for Federal and State aid; and assists them with the on-line process of completing a FAFSA application.
• Updates student financial aid awards in Banner, adds loans to student aid packages; and corresponds with the Coordinator, Student Loan Program, to ensure the student is receiving the appropriate amount requested.
• Completes Federal Verification processes to verify the information submitted in the Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR), is accurate and consistent with the student's or parent's Federal Tax Return.
• Collaborates with outside offices, researches and resolves financial aid payment problems, to include those identified by Student Tuition Services office and the Office of Student Records and Registration.
• Works with advisors and counselors to make recommendations to students who were dropped for unsatisfactory academic progress; correspond with Records and Registration to resolve enrollment status issues; and ensure that the student has completed required testing.
• Conducts workshops and presentations for new and continuing students, to include on-line filing events.
• Adheres to FERPA regulations as they pertain to maintaining the security and confidentiality of all student records, as well as maintain the confidentiality of other documents on behalf of the work area and the College.
• Performs assigned duties in a manner consistent with the mission, goals and core values of the College, and participates in professional development activities as required.
• Maintains sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Delivers quality customer services to both internal and external constituents in a professional helpful and courteous manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university required.
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience in financial aid required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal required.
• Knowledge of financial aid regulations required.
• Experience working with people from culturally diverse and economic backgrounds required.
• Ability to use independent judgment in making administrative/procedural decisions required.
• Ability to work independently or as a team member required.
• Ability to provide quality customer service required.
• Must be able to foster a positive and productive work environment, with ability to help lead and motivate staff, and model exceptional service to internal and external customers
• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous priorities and meet deadlines required
• Experience using MS Word and Excel, and Internet applications required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with Ellucian integrated third party communication and processing programs relating to student outreach and system processing (i.e.: phone/email automated outreach software and student appointment customers service products.) preferred.
• Experience interpreting a bargaining agreement and applying guidance in a collective bargaining environment is preferred.

If you are required to submit references in your application, please provide your current supervisor and two previous supervisor's contact information.

Please note - CCP will not contact your references until a contingent offer has been made. You will have the opportunity to alert your references and current employer prior to the reference check process beginning.

Thank you for your interest in opportunities at Community College of Philadelphia. Below is a summary of the comprehensive benefits package available to administrative employees.

Administrative employees receive a competitive benefits package that includes:

• Medical, prescription, dental, and vision coverage at no cost (PPO buy-up plan available at a cost)

• College-paid life insurance and long-term disability

• 403(b) retirement plan with a 10% College contribution when you contribute 5%

• Generous paid time off, including:

  • Vacation time: 23 paid vacation days; prorated based on hire date

  • Personal time: 22.5 hours annually (3 days - prorated based on hire date)

  • Sick time: paid at 100% with appropriate documentation

  • Paid bereavement leave

  • Paid holidays

• Tuition remission (100%) for employees and eligible dependents

• Forgivable Loan Program

• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Additional perks include winter break, spring break, and summer hours (4-day workweek)