Financial Aid and Verification Coordinator (SEARCH RE-OPENED 1/14/2021)

Working Title

Financial Aid and Verification Coordinator (SEARCH RE-OPENED 1/14/2021)

Position Number

FA406

FLSA

Exempt

Appointment Type

Full Time

Sensitive Position

No

Sensitive Position Statement

A sensitive position requires a fingerprint-based criminal history check. This is NOT a sensitive position.

Campus Security Authority

No

Campus Security Authority Statement

This position is NOT designated as a Campus Security Authority. A Campus Security Authority (or CSA) is defined as an “official of the institution with significant responsibility for student and campus activities.” A CSA is required to immediately report any crime that is reported to them to the University Police who will then review, evaluate, and investigate the reported crime. Annual training is required by the Department of Education for all personnel who have been designated as a Campus Security Authority.

Designated Personnel

Yes

Designated Personnel Statement

This position is a “designated position” meaning this position could potentially be required to work (depending on the event) during an emergency closing.

Statement of Economic Interest

No

Statement of Economic Interest Statement

This position does NOT require a Statement of Personal Economic Interest.

Restricted Position

No

Restricted Position Statement

A restricted position would be subject to availability of funding. This is NOT a restricted position.

Chief Objective of Position

THIS SEARCH HAS BEEN RE-OPENED AS OF JANUARY 14, 2021. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY.

The Financial Aid and Verification Coordinator is responsible for performing verification on all federally and institutionally selected aid applicants, resolving c-flags, eligibility issues, and conflicting information for all financial aid applicants. The Coordinator must ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional policies and regulations. Counsels students and their families on the financial aid application process, student eligibility, and the availability of additional financial resources.

Work Tasks

Quality Assurance, Federal Verification and Revised Packaging
• Performs verification reviews and processing for all federally and institutionally selected students which equates to approximately 21 percent of the Christopher Newport student population;
• Receives and properly tracks a variety of financial aid documents. Reviews all documents for accuracy and ensures adherence to federal, state and university regulations;
• Responsible for maintaining knowledge of approved verification documentation collection and processing requirements, per federal guidelines;
• Verification files should be completed accurately with a less than 10% error rate. All errors found during internal quality control reviews must be resolved;
• Performs verification of household income and ensures the appropriate tax documents and schedules have been collected and reviewed and scanned for auditing purposes;
• Processes student correction records in Banner for transmission to CPS;
• Monitors and reviews subsequent ISIR transactions and takes necessary steps to resolve any conflicting information.
• Recalculates eligibility and makes appropriate adjustments to the student record, aid package, and/ or disbursement, and when necessary, communicates change(s) to the federal or state government;
• Sustains knowledge of Title IV and State Council of Higher Education for Virginia Legislation and U.S. Code that relate to the student financial assistance programs for higher education;
• Maintains complex data review/input/retrieval systems for processing and awarding throughout the year;
• Responsible for performing a series of manual reviews to include degree confirmation, housing exemptions, loan limits, lifetime eligibility, waivers, unusual enrollment history, selective service and default clearance;
• Performs a series of quality control reviews to ensure financial awards are following federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines;
• Performs a series of quality control reviews to ensure student verification notices are sent in a timely manner and that records are being tracked into the appropriate verification groups with the applicable tracking items.
• Ensures students are maintaining Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) according to federal and state regulations. Ensures that students on SAP Appeal are meeting the conditions of their appeal in order to maintain eligibility.

Needs Analysis and Awarding
• Determines the eligibility of applicants for federal, state, and university financial aid funds in line with the statutory authority for the system of analysis used to calculate financial need. This includes, but is not limited to, formulating cost of attendance budgets, calculating expected family contribution (EFC) using federal methodology formulas, and exercising professional judgment authority. It further includes appropriate follow-up where deemed necessary to clarify discrepancies in the data and/or award;
• Evaluating procedures requires a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and university policies and regulations, complex need analysis methodologies and general IRS tax policies for analysis of federal tax return data. In addition, the individual is required to maintain a consistent work pace to ensure assigned evaluations are reviewed in a timely manner;
• Determines the type and scope of student financial aid packages to include all or some federal, state, university or outside need-based and/or non-need based assistance;
• Award review requires an understanding of aid packaging policies and relevant program regulations, administered by the federal Department of Education, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia, and other internal and external agencies. This includes award design for students involved in special program areas, such as the Study Abroad Program, the Bonner Scholars Program, the President’s Leadership Program, the Honors Program, and other unique populations. It also requires an ability to ensure both the accuracy and timeliness of awards;
• Ensures that student resources and external aid funds are appropriately reported and that students are awarded within the appropriate budget;
• Ensures that budgets are accurate, awards are revised as needed, and that over-awards are resolved through recalculations and re-awarding.

Outreach and Customer Service
• Demonstrates strong verbal and written communication skills;
• Represents the Office of Financial Aid at Open Houses, Admitted Freshman Days, etc.;
• Serves as liaison with other University offices such as Admission, Registrar’s, Student Accounts, etc.;
• Provides information regarding all of the procedures and requirements of a financial aid program and the application process;
• Must be capable of making an accurate assessment and evaluation of a person’s application status and financial need determination and effectively communicates this information while meeting the privacy guidelines within FERPA regulations;
• A variety of student circumstances may present themselves, so the financial aid coordinator must possess the ability to respond and communicate effectively while multi-tasking between processing tasks;
• This position is designated as a “responsible employee” who has the authority to redress sexual violence, who has the duty to report incidents of sexual violence or other student misconduct, or who a student could reasonably believe has this authority or duty;
• Develops and maintains very positive and professional customer service and/or relations within the office/department and with all constituencies to include students, faculty, staff, guests, and employees;
• Demonstrates a positive and professional attitude and treats everyone with dignity and respect. Fully supports the “Student’s First” value at CNU and routinely goes the extra mile in providing service;
• Safety issues are reviewed and communicated to assure a safe and healthy workplace and a reduction in work related absences;
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) required

Strong attention to detail; ability to maintain high level of accuracy in reviewing documents and implement changes to policy quickly and effectively. Strong interpersonal relations skills; demonstrated ability to work harmoniously with a wide range of people, especially students and parents, and counsel effectively. Human relations skills; develop rapport; sensitivity; listening skills; provide support for others. Organizational skills; initiate new ideas; handle details; decision making; manage conflict; implement decisions; manage time; meet goals, accept responsibility. Strong administrative and interpersonal communications skills; excellent oral and written communication skills. Strong commitment to customer satisfactions. Strong problem solving and critical thinking skills. Ability to partner with others across the University and externally to exchange information, collaborate on projects, share resources, etc. Strong computer skills to include the ability to use and understand complex computer software programs. Ability to adapt to change and to learn about and integrate specialized and/or upgraded software packages utilized by the University.

Knowledge, Skills, Abilities (KSA's) preferred

Fluency in using standard office software packages. Demonstrated ability to address the essential functions associated with this position including the knowledge and abilities identified above – including knowledge of COD, FSA, ELM, and other FA websites. Technical fluency with Banner or equivalent information system; Microsoft Office Professional Suite, and Google mail and calendaring programs.

Required Education

Master’s degree in a related field; or Bachelor’s degree plus demonstrated, directly related work experiences that equates to an advanced degree.

Preferred Education

Experience Required

Experience in interpreting federal and state financial aid rules and regulations. Experience in managing and administering financial aid programs in a higher education environment. Experience in processing financial aid requests and eligibility determination. Demonstrated experience in dealing with difficult situations and diffusing customer conflict. Financial Aid compliance experience. Experience in working under the guidance of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) rules and regulations when handling education records.

Experience Preferred

Experience in completing federal verification reviews, and/or experience reviewing verification documents for completion and suitability to meet requirements. Experience in an environment with responsibility for the management of fiscal programs. Familiarity with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s financial aid programs.

CNU Information

Selected by The Princeton Review for The 386 Best Colleges: 2021 Edition, and highly ranked for its quality of life and innovative leadership, Christopher Newport University is a public school offering a private school experience — great teaching, small classes, and a safe, vibrant campus. A “student-first, teaching-first” community, Christopher Newport is dedicated to the ideals of scholarship, leadership and service. The University is located between Williamsburg and the Virginia beaches in Newport News, and enrolls 5,100 students. Academic programs encompass more than 90 areas of study, from biology to business administration and political science to the performing arts. The University has a new and technologically advanced campus, has generated over 7,300 applications for a freshmen class of 1,155 and has been ranked by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges guide as fourth among public regional universities in the South and seventh among all regional universities in the South. In addition, Christopher Newport is ranked third among all public schools for having "the highest proportion of classes with fewer than 20 students.” Christopher Newport is committed to ensuring that all people are welcomed, honored and fully engaged in the life of our academic community. We seek exceptional and diverse candidates and encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in their profession. For further details and information about Christopher Newport, visit http://www.cnu.edu.

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number

AP118P

Number of Vacancies

1

Posting Date

01/14/2021

Application Deadline

02/04/2021

Application Instructions

Interested parties are requested to submit a cover letter; current resume; and the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of at least three professional references at the time of application. Review of applications will begin February 4, 2021. Applications received after February 4, 2021, will be accepted but considered only if needed. Search finalists are required to complete a CNU sponsored background check.

THIS SEARCH HAS BEEN RE-OPENED AS OF JANUARY 14, 2021. APPLICANTS WHO HAVE ALREADY APPLIED DO NOT NEED TO RE-APPLY.

Quick Link for Internal Postings

https://jobs.cnu.edu/postings/10063

EEO Statement

Christopher Newport University, an EO Employer, is fully Committed to Access and Opportunity.
Notice of Non-Discrimination & Title IX Policy Statement: