The Culinary Institute of America

Student Financial Planner

Job Details

Description

POSITION SUMMARY

The Student Financial Planner is part of a highly motivated one-stop team that provides first class student–focused support who assists and advises students and families through the financial aid, registration and payment processes.  This position provides a sophisticated understanding of registration, billing and financial aid policies and procedures, as well as the ability to explain these policies and procedures to students, prospective students and their families.  The Student Financial Planner uses independent analysis and analytical abilities to administer financial programs within guidelines and regulations.

ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilizes workshops, individual appointments, web tools, email, social media and telephone to disseminate accurate and clear information while counseling, advising and directly supporting students and their families at all CIA campuses with finance and related processes.
• Maintains a current working knowledge of the financial planning processes of financial aid, billing and payment options and VA Benefits, as well as Housing, Admissions, Academic Advising and Registrar processes and how they relate to the students finances in order to fully and accurately advise them.
• Analyzes student files to make an independent determination regarding eligibility for financial aid and then reviews, awards, verifies and processes financial aid paperwork, ensuring funds are awarded in accordance with Federal, State and Institutional regulations and policies.
• Independently conducts analysis on students who have had their Free Application for Federal Student Aid selected for verification, determines and requests additional information as needed, submits corrections to the Department of Education, evaluates eligibility and changes awards if needed.
• Supports the maintenance of the knowledge management protocols for Student Financial Planning, ensuring that information is efficiently communicated within the department, to all applicable stakeholders and to students / families. Assists with the development of FAQ's and knowledge databases as required.  Presents at and participates in team meetings and student forums as required to disseminate information.
• Assists students and families in developing a financial plan to cover any unmet financial needs and meets payment deadlines.
• Processes, posts and reconciles student payments and deposits daily in the college's student administrative software.
• Reads, interprets and applies federal and state regulations and school policies as they relate to student finances, ensures compliance and deadlines are met.
• Collaborates with other offices and departments to provide appropriate resources to students, represents Student Financial Planning at various programs on and off campus and serves on college committees as appropriate.
• Assists Associate Director and collaborates with other departments in developing strategies that support the goals and objectives of the department, division and college in enrollment, retention, student satisfaction and other related areas.
• Conducts financial aid presentations during freshman / transfer information sessions, Accepted Student Days and other admissions related events.
• Monitors students' satisfactory academic progress and adherence to academic degree programs to maintain eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid programs.
• Any and all other job duties as assigned.

Other responsibilities as determined by assignments:

• Performs audits and analysis on incoming student accounts to identify students at risk of not entering on time and provide regular reports and analysis for the review of the Associate Director.
• Evaluates students who move entry dates to re-calculate budget and aid packaging in a timely manner.
• Identifies students, prior to registrations and graduations, that require account review, performs the analysis of the account, determines if student is cleared or requires action, and follows up with students to ensure clearance, prior to event.
• Responsible to review, advise, monitor and maintain records of students with special schedules and perform enrollment status changes. Works collaboratively with internal resources across departments to resolve scheduling issues for students, counsels students on the re-entry and remittance process, as well as works with students looking to transfer to another CIA campus.
• Responsible for pre-collection efforts by proactively performing audits and analysis on student accounts to identify students with debit balances that are at risk. Contacts the students to ensure they are well informed and assists students and families with the necessary financial planning to help them meet their financial responsibilities to the school.
• Identifies students who are leaving school, prepares and conducts exit interviews, refund calculations and R2T4, according to federal regulations and institutional policy, for students leaving school.
• Works with Advancement and other outside agencies, maintains and updates the database of scholarships and grants, assists students with application process, reviews and awards funds to qualified applicants.
• Responsible for certifying and processing student loans, including but not limited to, the disbursement process, sending electronic data files to DOE and outside agencies, reconciling and managing all loan related communications after disbursement of funds, to maintain compliance with federal regulations.
• Responsible for certifying students, payment rosters, disbursement, reconciliation and reporting requirements for state grants, including but not limited to NYS TAP and Cal Grant, in accordance with each states regulations.
• Manages all aspects of federal work study community service program including communicating with not-for-profit organizations on available positions, announcing job opportunities, assigning positions, tracking and monitoring hours worked and earnings.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS 

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience in student accounts, financial aid or other related office.

Experience:

• One (1) year of customer service/support experience within an office environment.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS 

• Experience working in Higher Education strongly preferred.
• Experience in multiple areas of student services, such as Registrar, Bursar and Financial Aid, an asset.
• Experience working in student finance, financial aid or student accounts

REQUIRED SKILLS

• Knowledge of Federal Title IV and cash Management regulations.
• Strong customer service skills with a commitment to customer service.
• Must be organized, detail oriented and thorough.
• Ability to multi-task and handle multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Ability to work independently or in a team environment.
• Ability to handle confidential issues with a high level of discretion as well as the ability to use sound judgement.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills required.
• Strong computer experience, which must include abilities to work effectively with MS Office suite products, i.e. Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Must be able to work nights and weekends as required due to business needs.
• Regular work requires a great deal of sitting for long periods of time.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

At The Culinary Institute of America, it is important to us that we support our employees with a substantial and meaningful package of benefits.  We believe in supporting our employees with benefits to assist with work life balance.

Benefits are offered based on the position type and status. Benefits offered may include;

• Medical and prescription drug plan
• Dental plan, Vision plan
• Insurance: Life, Home, Auto, even Pet!
• Short- and long-term disability plans
• Generous paid time off programs, including paid holidays
• Retirement savings plan 403(b) with company contribution
• Employee assistance program
• Tuition assistance programs
• And more!