Remote Financial Aid Coordinator

Financial Aid Coordinator

Applications for this position must be submitted by 10pm Sunday, May 9th, 2021.

This is a remote job. You must live withing +/- two timezones of Denver, CO to qualify. 

Turing School of Software & Design is seeking a Financial Aid Coordinator to join our growing team. Turing offers intensive, full-time, instructional programs for adults working to become professional software developers. Beneath the surface, Turing is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization working to change the landscape of the technology industry by training a diverse, passionate, and highly skilled workforce capable of building the software that will change the world. 

We’ve built a strong academic program and track record for student success. We’ve recruited, graduated, and helped find employment for over one thousand students having recently been accredited nationally. We’re looking for a driven individual to be the engine of our new Financial Aid Services (FA) department. We have found that incoming students are more successful when they are given access to all available resources and have a solid financial plan in place while attending Turing. This role is focused on enabling student access while creating a bridge to student success.

Scope

The Financial Aid Coordinator (FAC), under the direction of the Financial Services Manager (FSM), provides financial aid services to students on an organizational-wide basis. The FAC will conduct student needs analysis, perform federal verifications and packaging of student aid, certify federal loan eligibility, provide financial aid counseling, make professional judgment decisions regarding student aid eligibility, and facilitate problem solving with students and parents. Incumbents in this job classification will interact with specific outside agencies to facilitate the student eligibility process and they are accountable for ensuring compliance with federal regulations.

The Financial Aid Coordinator is distinguished from the Financial Services Manager in that the FAC focuses on the core responsibilities associated with screening students for financial aid eligibility. The FSM provides leadership and program management over financial aid processes, adjudicates appeals and provides training and direction to other staff.

Responsibilities

Conducts financial aid overviews with every student to assess financial plans and detail financial options. Conducts needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine the relative eligibility of each financial aid applicant. Conducts verification of student and parent Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) data in compliance with federal criteria. Determines the types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state and organizational requirements. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards. Works with FSM on individual student appeals concerning eligibility. Utilizes professional judgment to adjust a student’s eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances in accordance with federal statutes. May refer complex eligibility situations to the FSM. Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents regarding all aspects of the financial aid process. Makes necessary referrals to other student services. Provides support to students experiencing family, personal or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services. Monitors and evaluates satisfactory academic progress of students. Assists FSM with adjudication of student appeals relating to academic progress. Serves as one of the Veteran’s Affairs (VA) School Certifying Officials, and with the approval of the FSM, processes VA benefit certifications through the appropriate systems, verifies student benefit eligibility for applicable benefits, ensuring the organization maintains compliance with all related federal, state, and/or organizational policies. Answers student veterans’ questions regarding the admissions process, graduation process, overall VA/military benefits process, and transfer credit process. Interacts with appropriate outside entities in order to facilitate the student eligibility process, and to refer for additional wrap around resources. Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided. Maintains appropriate documentation via data entry system. Participates in annual training and professional organizations to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented. Performs other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Demonstrated experience in student financial aid directly related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification and packaging required. Experience with personal computers and on-line data systems required.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Subject Matter Expert (SME)-level knowledge of the FAFSA. SME-level knowledge of federal financial aid programs and their supporting regulations. SME-level knowledge of the U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations. SME-level knowledge of current tax forms, regulations and the implications of such regulations on financial aid. SME-level knowledge of the Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR), its codes and definitions. Proficient in researching regulatory information and resolving complex financial questions. Proficient in operating a computer and various supporting software packages. Proficient in computing complex mathematical formulas. Ability to defuse difficult, angry, or emotional situations with students and/or parents. Ability to prioritize and manage a significant caseload. Ability to interpret and explain regulatory information related to the financial aid process. Ability to work independently. Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form. Ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds; especially those from communities who have been traditionally underserved.

Metrics of Success

Performance in this role will be measured by:

Qualitative 
Students report confidence and excitement to start Turing. Students and parents report confidence in their ability to understand their financial options and eligibility.
Quantitative
90% of all committed students are financially packaged 30 days before the start of their chosen program. 100% of all committed students are financially packaged by day 1 of their chosen program. Reduction in deferrals/withdrawals by students due to financial difficulty.

Employee Expectations

The employee can expect:

A starting salary of $75,160 with approximately a 1.0% raise every seven weeks Fully paid premium health insurance for the employee, one spouse/domestic partner, and any dependents Long-term disability insurance Exceptional medical care policy, covering significant medical costs not covered by our normal health insurance after a full year of employment 401(k) savings program with 2% employer match after 90 days Group Life Insurance (with benefit equal to yearly salary) Flexible leave policy of at least 15 days per year Parental leave policy ensuring at least 8 weeks of fully paid leave Work remotely from anywhere with reliable internet and +/- 2 time zones from Colorado, the work day is typically 8:30-5:00, with core hours of availability of 9AM-3PM MST expected for those working in other time zones.  Reduced workload during our “intermission” weeks between each inning (there are 9 intermission weeks per year) and school breaks

Diverse Candidate Pool Policy

Diversity, equity, and inclusion are at the core of Turing’s organizational values. To ensure a diverse pool of candidates is considered, initial reviews and phone screens will not begin until optional applicant self-reporting demonstrates that the pool is, at a minimum, made up of 30% people of color and 30% non-male applicants. In the event that a sufficiently diverse pool has not applied after recruiting efforts of 30 days, the application period will close and current applicants will be allowed to move forward in the process. 

This information will be collected via a separate anonymous electronic form sent after the application is received. This anonymous electronic form will be collected by an employee that is not involved in the interview process for new candidates. Once the data from the anonymous form indicates that the above percentages of pool diversity are reached, the hiring team will be notified that the screening and interview process may begin for the new position. 

To Apply

Interested applicants can send a cover letter and resume or questions to Darren Smith, Financial Services Manager, at darren@turing.edu.