Department: Kellogg Admissions and Fin Aid Salary/Grade: EXS/5
Job Summary:
This position will assist the Kellogg Financial Aid Office with the processing of financial aid applications and loan certifications. The Financial Aid Advisor will be responsible for assisting with the review of submitted Financial Aid application materials from incoming and returning students, and contacting students for missing information. This position will also troubleshoot issues that arise for new and/or current students in reference to applying for financial aid and processing of student loan requests. This position will process loan requests and originate loans during peak periods and will be responsible for assisting with the data entry of financial aid information in Peoplesoft. The Financial Aid Advisor will also perform audits to ensure quality control. Record keeping duties such as creating and maintaining spreadsheets as well as analyzing data and preparing power point presentations.
Specific Responsibilities:
Analysis, Statements & Reporting:
Assists the Full-time and EMBA Financial Aid Office with the processing of financial aid applications and loan certifications.
Assist with the review of submitted Financial Aid application materials from incoming and returning students, and contacting students for missing information.
Troubleshoot any issues that arise for new and/or current students in reference to applying for financial aid and processing of student loan requests.
Record keeping, such as creating and maintaining spreadsheets as well as analyzing data and preparing power point presentations.
Transactions:
Completes & maintains transactions in SES enterprise systems. Prepares files and assists with packaging financial aid awards for students.
Will contact students for missing/incomplete information.
Provides review and oversight of all types of financial aid transactions some of which may be complex in regard to size or duration of account. Processes loan adjustments/key grant/scholarship awards for enrolling and current students.
Troubleshoots problems, including and not limited to analyzing reports for loans/documents not completed by students to secure their loan funds.
This position will also troubleshoot any issues that arise for new and/or current students in reference to applying for financial aid and processing of student loan requests.
Obtains additional information from or provides instruction & guidance for customers/vendors; corrects or escalates.
Provides financial aid policy interpretation to determine the validity of customer requests & ensure compliance.
Contacts outside agencies such as loan lenders to check on the status of certified loans/loans for which students have applied.
Enters information into database.
Grants &/or Awards:
Assist with emailing admitted students their provisional financial aid award information;
Reply to questions regarding financial aid award information-both email and phone calls, as well as advising prospective students of their financial aid options.
Assist with scholarship awards/email notifications.
Assist with the data entry of financial aid award packages as well as proofreading completed award letters and ordering email communications.
Maintains quality control.
Administration:
Provides excellent customer service, over the phone and in person answering standard questions regarding status of requests, policies and procedures for processing transactions, &/or instructions for completing paperwork.
Assist with loan processing requests and originate loans.
Addresses inquiries from current and prospective students related to financial aid, loan programs, transactions and policies and procedures.
Instructs & advises regarding options and appropriate courses of action & follows-up inquiries to ensure customer satisfaction.
Miscellaneous
Performs other duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications:
High school diploma or the equivalent.
3 years accounting &/or bookkeeping experience or the equivalent combination of education & experience.
Minimum Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
Excellent computer skills including proficiency in the use of spreadsheet, database and word processing software.
Preferred Qualifications:
1-3 years financial aid experience.
College degree.
Customer service experience.
Experience in working in a higher education setting.
Audit background a plus.
Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities)
Knowledge of PeopleSoft (SES). Detail oriented and highly organized.
Excellent customer service skills.
Ability to work on multiple projects/work assignments at the same time.
Familiarity with federal regulations.
High degree of accuracy.
Intermediate knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, email, and database software programs is required.
Exceptional interpersonal, verbal and written communication and organizational skills.
Ability to multi-task with close attention to detail, accuracy and meeting deadlines.
Ability to work with minimal supervision and proactively identify process improvements.
Proficiency with MS Office Software (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
Proven self-starter and team member.
Benefits: At Northwestern, we are proud to provide meaningful, competitive, high-quality health care plans, retirement benefits, tuition discounts and more! Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/benefits/index.html tolearn more.
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Professional Growth & Development: Northwestern supports employee career development in all circumstances whether your workspace is on campus or at home. If you’re interested in developing your professional potential or continuing your formal education, we offer a variety of tools and resources. Visit us at https://www.northwestern.edu/hr/learning/index.html to learn more.
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Northwestern University is a major private research university with 12 academic divisions located on three campuses in Evanston, Chicago, and Education City in Doha, Qatar. We have approximately 2,500 full-time faculty members, 17,000 graduate and undergraduate students, and over 5,700 full and part-time staff. Northwestern University combines innovative teaching and pioneering research in a highly collaborative environment. It provides students and faculty exceptional opportunities for intellectual, personal and professional growth.