Financial Aid Officer

• Job Type: Officer of Administration
• Regular/Temporary: Regular
• Hours Per Week: 35
• Salary Range: $62,400 - $66,000

Position Summary

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Officer provides counseling support, evaluates financial aid application materials and determines the degree of eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid and/or alternative financing options. The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for one or more specific office programs. As a member of the Office of Financial Aid & Educational Financing, the Financial Aid Officer serves the undergraduate student population of Columbia College and the undergraduate and graduate populations of The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science.

Responsibilities

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  Counsel prospective students, currently enrolled students, and parents/families about financial aid policies, programs, and procedures via phone, email, virtual appointments, and in-person on-campus appointments. Provide detailed information regarding the disbursement of grant, loan and outside scholarship funding, financing options, and related billing issues. Connect students/families with other university offices to provide needed information and/or services.

  
  
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  Review and evaluate financial aid applications; ensuring compliance with all applicable rules, regulations, and policies regarding student eligibility. Perform need analysis, formulate financial aid packages, verify data, and utilize professional judgment in the readjustment of financial aid packages during the year on the basis of changed financial circumstances.

  
  
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  Assist with special projects such as internal audits, athletic recruiting, application file completion, compliance, and data management.

  
  
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  Perform other related duties as assigned.

  
  

Minimum Qualifications

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  Bachelor's degree and/or its equivalent required.

  
  
• 0-2 years relevant experience.
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  Must demonstrate a strong customer focus with excellent writing and oral skills.

  
  
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  Ability to communicate complex information simply, both verbally and in writing, required.

  
  
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  Good analytical and mathematical skill required along with excellent organization, prioritization, and interpersonal skills.

  
  
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  Must be able to collaborate well with team members and perform work independently.

  
  
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  Must be timely, self-motivated, detail-oriented, and possess patience, tact, and an ability to function effectively with a broad constituency.

  
  
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  Ability to exercise good judgment, work under pressure and deadlines, and carry out multiple tasks required.

  
  
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  Must demonstrate a high level of discretion while handling confidential and sensitive information.

  
  
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  Occasional pre-scheduled evening and weekend work is necessary.

  
  

*Resume and cover letter must be included with an application to be considered for the position.*

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience (1-2 years) with need-based financial aid counseling of students and families and evaluation of financial aid applications in a university setting highly desirable.
• Experience with PowerFAIDS preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

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