Grants & Loans Specialist

Job Description Summary
The Grants & Loans Specialist reports to the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Financial Aid and serves as the primary grants and scholarships expert for in the Financial Aid Office tracking and processing annual and endowed scholarships special programs as well as federal and state grant programs. Provides expertise in processing federal and private loans. Proactively evaluate internal practices procedures and policies and recommend changes or enhancements based on current and proposed regulations. Perform other duties as assigned or requested.

Responsibilities
Serve as a grants and loans expert for the Financial Aid Office tracking and processing annual and endowed scholarships special programs as well as federal and state grant and loans programs. Annual and Endowed Programs Coordinate with Financial Services University Advancement and Financial Aid colleagues to award annual and endowed scholarships in a timely manner Review eligibility and awarding criteria for all annual and endowed scholarships Update student financial aid offers with appropriate awards. Provide reports and information to University Advancement regarding students awarded Establish financial aid item types consistent with new annual and endowed scholarships Central point of contact for University Advancement for annual and endowed scholarships Special Programs Monitor the awarding and bills of students awarded in one of the universitys special grant programs throughout the academic year Maintain awarding protocols for all special programs and work with Financial Aid Counselors to determine best practices for awarding Maintain documentation of MOUs and other relevant documents for special programs Central point of contact for Office of Admission and others for special programs Federal and State Grant Programs Work with Financial Aid Counselors to determine best practices for awarding and reporting Provide key support for reconciliation of state and federal programs Coordinate SEOG awarding process Student Loan Programs Serve as a loan expert in the Financial Aid Office tracking and processing all loans and loan-related issues coordinating on-campus entrance counseling while implementing and maintaining a campus-wide financial literacy program. Process and monitor all student parent and private loans in accordance with applicable federal state laws and regulations institutional policies Determine student eligibility for loans and quality control award loans to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state regulations With management team establish yearly disbursement dates based on academic calendar Complete reconciliation for all loan programs Assist in researching and resolving highly complex problems and maintaining statistics related to loans student indebtedness default and default prevention Evaluate internal practices procedures and policies and recommend changes or enhancements

Required Qualifications
Bachelors degree or equivalent combination of education/experience A minimum of two years financial aid administration experience with strong current knowledge of federal and state financial aid laws and regulations. Demonstrated knowledge of Pell Grant SEOG Cal Grant and Direct Loan programs Demonstrated skill in interpreting and applying Financial Aid rules and regulations Proven ability to communicate clearly and accurately complex procedures and eligibility rules to Chapman community Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to meet with campus constituents as well as meet the reporting request needs of these constituents Strong organizational skills to prioritize projects and deadlines Strong analytical skills to research information and resolve complex problems as well as assess processes and provide recommendation for improvement Computer skills in the use of Microsoft Office Suite applications Ability to demonstrate tact and diplomacy and maintain a high level of confidentiality and strict adherence to FERPA as well as the ability to determine if requests from internal constituents are consistent with FERPA Demonstrated ability to make appropriate decisions and sound judgments on routine to critical matters Ability to understand and apply relevant regulations policies and procedures in a responsible manner and to work with the Compliance Specialist to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations Bookkeeping skills to be able to reconcile grant and scholarships programs as well as loan programs and conduct quality control of data Ability to work independently and be a team player when needed