Case Western Reserve University is committed to providing a transparent estimate of the salary for this position at the time of its posting. The starting wage rate is $19.41 per hour.

Employees receive more than just a paycheck. University employees enjoy a comprehensive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare, retirement plans, tuition assistance, paid time off, and a winter recess.

POSITION OBJECTIVE

Working under general direction, support the Office of External Loans in the accounting, reconciliation, certification, origination and loan counseling functions crucial to the effective management of financial aid as it relates to loans. Serve as a financial aid advisor to prospective and current students and their families, as well as to the Case Western Reserve University community. This position is eligible for hybrid/remote work arrangements.

Essential Functions

• Manage and be the first point of contact for the External Loan office (email, phone, and in-person). Serve as an advisor to prospective and current students and their families to inform them on how best to utilize and leverage their funds to maximize resources for their education. This will include guiding families through the loan process, while directing them to the appropriate areas to complete their applications in a timely manner. It will also involve helping families understand the similarities and differences of the various loans, especially when choosing loan options that may be detrimental to their financial well-being, ensuring that the financial aid stays within regulations regarding the acceptance, denial and processing of loans. (40%)
• Responsible for the overall loan certification and origination process. Stay apprised and be knowledgeable about the various federal, private and plus loans and counsel students and parents about these methods. In today¿s market, the types and amounts of such indebtedness includes not only the student and parent loans, but also various forms of credit that students are using to finance their education. Review student loan application requests, matching them with financial aid eligibility and system capabilities. Provide lenders with complete, thorough and accurate information to ensure their ability to make a fully informed decision regarding loan requests. Conduct significant direct follow-up with borrowers to ensure that all parties understand what is expected and possible. (30%)
• Review student accounts to determine if loan has processed completely and correctly. Investigate issues and work with the appropriate parties (lender or borrower) to correct any issues. Review student accounts to determine if funds have posted correctly and determine the adjustment needed if they have not. Using expertise and independent decision-making, work to resolve any issues and ensure that all systems contain accurate data. Update loan application data in various systems to ensure successful transmission of data to all necessary parties. (10%)
• Manage the accounting and reconciliation of both federal and private loans as they relate to the student account. This will include account analysis and reconciliation of loan records between multiple systems including Financial Aid (currently PowerFAIDS), Department of Education (currently Common Origination and Disbursement), Student Financial Services (currently PeopleSoft) and various private lenders. (10%)
  
  
  

Nonessential Functions

• Serve as an advisor to the university community. Meet with and counsel students, parents, counselors and university personnel on a daily basis. Act as an official representative for federal, private and parent loans for Case Western Reserve University. Develop and provide training to Financial Aid staff on general loan processed and understanding individual student loan statuses. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned, including providing seasonal clerical support to other functional areas within the Office of Financial Aid / External Loans such as data entry administration. (5%)
  
  
  

CONTACTS

Department: Daily interaction with support staff, assistant directors and associate directors of Financial Aid within The Office of Financial Aid / External Loans to resolve accounting and reconciliation issues concerning respective student loan accounts.

University: Daily interaction with support staff, assistant directors and directors of Financial Aid from each of the university's schools and Student Financial Services to resolve accounting and reconciliation issues concerning respective student loan accounts. Once student loan accounts are completed, frequent follow-up contact with university personnel to ensure service requirements consistent with the respective school¿s administrative and service policy relating to financial aid are fulfilled.

External: Frequent interaction with representatives of the various federal and private lending institutions to resolve accounting and reconciliation issues concerning respective student loan accounts. Once student loan accounts are completed, follow-up contact may be required to ensure that student accounts match expected outcomes in the various systems.

Students: Regular contact with students to resolve accounting and reconciliation inquiries concerning respective student loans accounts, as well as counseling of terms, conditions and best practices.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY

This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.

Qualifications

Experience: Minimum of 3 to 5 years of related experience, preferably in higher education financial aid or financial accounting.

Education: High school education required; Associate's or Bachelor's degree is strongly preferred.

Required Skills

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and interpersonal skills; must demonstrate the ability to effectively and professionally communicate and work with various individuals within the department, university, and with individuals outside the university.
• Strong customer service skills: ability to use tact and diplomacy, and an ability to work with confidential matters.
• Strong organization skills: ability to multi-task, prioritize and give attention to detail in order to complete tasks and meet deadlines.
• Must demonstrate flexibility and ability to work under pressure, must be able and willing to conform to shifting priorities, demands and timelines.
• Effective problem solving skills, resourcefulness, sound judgment and good decision-making.
• Proven ability to work in a fast-paced, changing environment with the ability to complete a high volume of transactions accurately.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively in a team.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google Suite; experience with on-line report generation and file management; ability to learn new systems.
• Demonstrated history of successful support, education, and advocacy for all students, aligned with the values, mission, and messaging of the university, while adhering to the staff policy on conflict of commitment and interest.
• Ability to interact with colleagues, supervisors and customers face to face.
• Ability to meet consistent attendance.
  
  
  

WORKING CONDITIONS

General office environment.

This position is eligible for hybrid work arrangement up to two remote days per week at the discretion of the department. New employees may begin a hybrid schedule upon approval from the supervisor, successful completion of an orientation period and signing the remote work checklist certification form.

Case Western Reserve University is an equal opportunity employer. All applicants are protected under federal and state laws and university policy from discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national or ethnic origin, protected veteran status, disability, age and genetic information.

Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at 216-368-3066 to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.