Project Coordinator - Financial Aid

University Overview
The University of Pennsylvania, the largest private employer in Philadelphia, is a world-renowned leader in education, research, and innovation. This historic, Ivy League school consistently ranks among the top 10 universities in the annual U.S. News & World Report survey. Penn has 12 highly-regarded schools that provide opportunities for undergraduate, graduate and continuing education, all influenced by Penn's distinctive interdisciplinary approach to scholarship and learning. As an employer Penn has been ranked nationally on many occasions with the most recent award from Forbes who named Penn one of America's Best Large Employers in 2023.
Penn offers a unique working environment within the city of Philadelphia. The University is situated on a beautiful urban campus, with easy access to a range of educational, cultural, and recreational activities. With its historical significance and landmarks, lively cultural offerings, and wide variety of atmospheres, Philadelphia is the perfect place to call home for work and play.
The University offers a competitive benefits package that includes excellent healthcare and tuition benefits for employees and their families, generous retirement benefits, a wide variety of professional development opportunities, supportive work and family benefits, a wealth of health and wellness programs and resources, and much more.
Posted Job Title
Project Coordinator - Financial Aid
Job Profile Title
Coordinator B
Job Description Summary
Responsible for providing Financial Aid counseling to prospects, applicants, students, and their families working in collaboration with Director, Associate Director and as a member of the Office of Academic Affairs (OAA). Provides a high level of responsive customer service and reliable follow-up for all students and programs; responds to daily inquiries addressed to the Financial Aid office email account, triaging as needed to appropriate staff. Processes traditional, accelerated and masters Financial Aid transactions via feeder files in Banner for all programs; maintains accurate Financial Aid records and updates website regarding tuition and fees for all programs. Responsible for a variety of advising, technical and administrative functions in the daily operations of the Financial Aid office using the latest technology and software. Actively participates as a member of the Office of Academic Affairs; participates in recruitment and retention activities.
Job Description
Job Responsibilities
Financial Aid Counseling - Responsible for providing a high level of responsive customer service and Financial Aid counseling to prospects, applicants, students, and their families working in collaboration with Director and Associate Director of Financial Aid and the OAA team. (25%)
* Ensures a high level of responsive customer service is provided to
prospects, applicants, students, faculty, and staff as a member of the Office of Academic Affairs.
* Uses critical thinking skills when advising prospective and current students and their families on Financial Aid, the application process, loan availability and work-study options.
* Responds to inquiries from students and parents utilizing Penn systems including Pennant Account Student Summary, ROARMAN, Banner and Pennant Records.
* Serves as a liaison to University Student Registration & Financial Services to ensure student issues and needs are addressed.
* Maintains current knowledge of Penn Nursing Financial Aid offerings.
* Provides comprehensive Financial Aid and student budget counseling to students.
* Maintains current knowledge of federal and state Financial Aid regulations and adheres to university and school policies and procedures as it relates to Financial Aid functions.
* Maintains knowledge of current Penn Nursing academic program offerings and the cost of attendance of all programs.
* Attends Financial Aid trainings, meetings and webinars to maintain current knowledge of Financial Aid systems, policies and procedures.
BSN and MPN Student Financial Aid - Processes BSN (scholarship programs managed by Penn Nursing) and MPN student Financial Aid transactions; maintains accurate financial records of Banner postings. Field questions about tuition and fee charges and liaison with other team members as appropriate. Work closely with all admitted students; assisting in meeting the enrollment goals of OAA. Participate on scholarship selection committees. (20%)
* Updates Financial Aid spreadsheets for tracking incoming traditional BSN and MPN students Financial Aid in accordance with School of Nursing and University policies.
* Counsel incoming undergraduate students/parents and MPN prospects and admits on Financial Aid options and eligibility.
* Provide prospects with information about available scholarship programs and Federal loan programs.
* Validates that tuition and fee transactions are accurate when counseling students. Ensures accurate posting of Financial Aid awards to student account.
* Assists with developing Financial Aid packages for incoming admits for the MPN Program.
* Participate on scholarship selection committees for various BSN and MPN scholarships.
* Assists with providing scholarship award letters and contracts for incoming freshman and MPN admits.
* Maintains accurate student Financial Aid records of all students who have Nursing scholarships and grants.
Graduate Financial Aid - Process MSN, MSNS, and DNP Nursing Financial Aid in Banner and maintain accurate financial records of Banner transactions. Process scholarships and grants for graduate students; participates on scholarship selection committees. (20%)
* Assist with awarding scholarships and grants for graduate students. Provide award letters for all graduate students in accordance with School of Nursing and University policies.
* Uses professional judgment and sound decision making to determine eligibility for awards; adhere to university and school policies when processing scholarships and grants.
* Calculate and project program costs for MSN, MSNS, and DNP student tuition and fee transactions.
* Participates on scholarship selection committees for graduate scholarship programs.
* Maintains accurate graduate student Financial Aid records for all graduate student receiving Nursing scholarships and grants.
Daily Operations - Responsible for a variety of advising, technical and administrative functions in the daily operations of the Nursing Financial Aid office using the latest technology and software. (20%)
* Read and respond to inquiries in the Nursing Financial Aid email box. Triage to appropriate OAA staff member or University Student Financial Aid when necessary.
* Manages data and prepares reports to ensure compliance with mandated internal and external reporting requirements.
* Utilize Pennant Reports and Data Warehouse for reporting purposes.
* Submit Feeder files to Banner to post Nursing scholarships and grants.
* Verify posting of Nursing Financial Aid in Banner.
* Advise students how to request and make changes to Federal loans in the Penn Portal.
* Reviews and verifies student registration on a quarterly basis, adjusts Financial Aid accordingly.
* Reviews and monitors all students and their current Financial Aid status to ensure compliance on a quarterly and annual basis regarding scholarship and contract compliance. Drafts letters for follow up in accordance with established procedures. Provide necessary information to ensure Development and Alumni Relations has appropriate information for follow-up with donors.
* Ensures compliance with administrative policies and legal requirements.
* Works in collaboration with OAA staff, faculty and other administrative departments to ensure smooth operations.
* Update nursing Financial Aid and tuition and fee rates on OAA website and SharePoint on a yearly basis for recruitment and information purposes.
* Coordinate, schedule and present Financial Aid webinars for perspective students and information sessions for current students regarding various Financial Aid programs.
Office of Academic Affairs - Actively participates as a member of the Office of Academic Affairs team; assists with and participates in recruitment and retention activities. (10%)
* Participates in recruitment and retention activities as a member of the OAA team.
* Maintains current knowledge of school strategic goals for student recruitment.
* Contributes to the development of promotional materials and provides Financial Aid information to maintain website.
* Serves on related internal and external committees and task forces.
* Presents Financial Aid information at Open Houses and Orientations with Director of Financial Aid and Associate Director.
Perform additional duties as assigned (5%)
Qualifications
* Bachelor's degree with 2-3 years of progressively responsible financial and administrative experience or equivalent combination. Prior experience working with student services in a higher education setting or related experience in Financial Aid services industry required. Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills; solid reasoning skills and superior customer service skills needed. Working knowledge of the basic principles, practices and major trends in Financial Aid desired. Knowledge of need based Financial Aid programs from a 4 year college or university preferred. Strong PC skills in MS Office with solid database and spreadsheet expertise needed; experience with University Financial Aid systems a plus. The successful candidate will be dedicated to quality student services and thrive in a fast paced diverse work environment within a large multi-faceted University. Solid attention to detail with the ability to multi-task with a high level of accuracy essential. Must be able to work effectively both independently and as part of a team with efficient time management and sound judgment.
Job Location - City, State
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Department / School
School of Nursing
Pay Range
$43,919.00 - $60,000.00 Annual Rate
Salary offers are made based on the candidate's qualifications, experience, skills, and education as they directly relate to the requirements of the position, as well as internal and market factors and grade profile.
Affirmative Action Statement
Penn adheres to a policy that prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, citizenship status, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected class.
Special Requirements
Background check required after a conditional job offer is made. Consideration of the background check will be tailored to the requirements of the job.
University Benefits
* Health, Life, and Flexible Spending Accounts: Penn offers comprehensive medical, prescription, behavioral health, dental, vision, and life insurance benefits to protect you and your family's health and welfare. You can also use flexible spending accounts to pay for eligible health care and dependent care expenses with pre-tax dollars.
* Tuition: Take advantage of Penn's exceptional tuition benefits. You, your spouse, and your dependent children can get tuition assistance here at Penn. Your dependent children are also eligible for tuition assistance at other institutions.
* Retirement: Penn offers generous retirement plans to help you save for your future. Penn's Basic, Matching, and Supplemental retirement plans allow you to save for retirement on a pre-tax or Roth basis. Choose from a wide variety of investment options through TIAA and Vanguard.
* Time Away from Work: Penn provides you with a substantial amount of time away from work during the course of the year. This allows you to relax, take vacations, attend to personal affairs, recover from illness or injury, spend time with family-whatever your personal needs may be.
* Long-Term Care Insurance: In partnership with Genworth Financial, Penn offers faculty and staff (and your eligible family members) long-term care insurance to help you cover some of the costs of long-term care services received at home, in the community or in a nursing facility. If you apply when you're newly hired, you won't have to provide proof of good health or be subject to underwriting requirements. Eligible family members must always provide proof of good health and are subject to underwriting.
* Wellness and Work-life Resources: Penn is committed to supporting our faculty and staff as they balance the competing demands of work and personal life. That's why we offer a wide variety of programs and resources to help you care for your health, your family, and your work-life balance.
* Professional and Personal Development: Penn provides an array of resources to help you advance yourself personally and professionally.
* University Resources: As a member of the Penn community, you have access to a wide range of University resources as well as cultural and recreational activities. Take advantage of the University's libraries and athletic facilities, or visit our arboretum and art galleries. There's always something going on at Penn, whether it's a new exhibit at the Penn Museum, the latest music or theater presentation at the Annenberg Center, or the Penn Relays at Franklin Field to name just a few examples. As a member of the Penn community, you're right in the middle of the excitement-and you and your family can enjoy many of these activities for free.
* Discounts and Special Services: From arts and entertainment to transportation and mortgages, you'll find great deals for University faculty and staff. Not only do Penn arts and cultural centers and museums offer free and discounted admission and memberships to faculty and staff. You can also enjoy substantial savings on other goods and services such as new cars from Ford and General Motors, cellular phone service plans, movie tickets, and admission to theme parks.
* Flexible Work Hours: Flexible work options offer creative approaches for completing work while promoting balance between work and personal commitments. These approaches involve use of non-traditional work hours, locations, and/or job structures.
* Penn Home Ownership Services: Penn offers a forgivable loan for eligible employees interested in buying a home or currently residing in West Philadelphia, which can be used for closing costs or home improvements.
* Adoption Assistance: Penn will reimburse eligible employees on qualified expenses in connection with the legal adoption of an eligible child, such as travel or court fees, for up to two adoptions in your household.
To learn more, please visit: https://www.hr.upenn.edu/PennHR/benefits-pay