• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: full time
• Salary Range: $75,000-$77,000

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Officer, reporting directly to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Client Services, is responsible for counseling and advising students on all related financial aid programs, eligibility criteria, application procedures, costs, indebtedness, and financial planning at all contracted schools.

Responsibilities

• Oversees related communication with students and parents and cultivates relationships with external members of the University community.

• Reviews and interprets financial aid application data, determines student eligibility and awards new and continuing students as outlined by School packaging philosophies. 

• Assists to review and to update annual Costs of Attendance (COA) and packaging procedures, standard and custom reports, selection sets, and troubleshoots technical issues. Along with the Assistant Director, maintains and updates the financial aid pages on the Student Financial Services website and the database of external fellowships and grants, as well as any additional financial wellness information as necessary.

• The Officer is responsible for pre-collection efforts for students currently enrolled by assisting students and families in securing financing.

• Proactively contacts students with debit balances to ensure they are well informed and, if necessary, assists students and families with the necessary financial planning required helping meet their financial responsibilities to the University.

• Provides first class student–focused support, utilizing workshops, individual appointments, web tools, email, social media and telephone contact to disseminate accurate and clear information.

• The incumbent is expected to follow the office policies and procedures with respect to all processes and responsibilities. This position is expected to use professional judgment in extenuating circumstances as defined by the Department of Education regulations, when analyzing the data and students financial situation to make informed decisions and exceptions to the student’s financial record while offering first class customer service experience to our students and families.

• Performs related duties and special projects as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent and a minimum of 3 years related experience required. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrated knowledge of Federal Student Aid regulations and understanding of Financial Aid systems preferred. 
• Knowledge of federal and private loan programs is strongly preferred. 
• Experience with SIS Informs and PowerFAIDS Financial Aid system strongly preferred. 

Other Requirements

• Knowledge of accounting concepts as well as competence in Excel required.
• A demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team-based environment, manage conflicting priorities and work under deadlines is needed.  
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access required). 
• Must be detail-oriented with organizational and problem-solving skills, and be able to manage deadline oriented projects. 
• Must be able to demonstrate critical thinking, interpersonal, oral and written communication skills.  
• In addition, the successful candidate must be able to work well with all levels of employees, be flexible in nature, have sound judgment with an open and collaborative style that encourages teamwork and cooperation beyond the immediate team to the broader organization.  
• Must have a passion for excellent customer service.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Columbia University is committed to the hiring of qualified local residents.