Financial Aid Representative

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Join our vibrant community of dedicated faculty and staff who work to create a transformative educational experience rooted in faith, reason, and justice.

Eastern University is a nationally-recognized Christian university enrolling approximately 9,000 students in a wide array of undergraduate, graduate, professional, and seminary programs. The university's main campus is located in St. Davids, PA, with many programs also offered online. Eastern's core values of Faith, Reason, and Justice are woven into all of its educational offerings. Through dynamic programs, a vibrant campus community, and meaningful service learning opportunities, Eastern University is committed to providing students with transformative, accessible, and affordable education.

Position Description

The Financial Aid Representative, reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, is the primary point of contact with the Financial Aid Office for all students whether in person, via telephone, email, or postal mail. The Financial Aid Representative is responsible for answering telephones, greeting students/families, directing calls or students to appropriate parties for assistance if necessary, explaining and applying Federal, State, and University policies, and troubleshooting problems with the student applications and the aid process. The Financial Aid Representative also oversees the daily processing of all documents submitted to the office through a digital imaging system, distributes published material to students upon request, and opens and distributes incoming mail and voicemail to the appropriate parties.

Position Responsibilities

The responsibilities of the Financial Aid Representative include:

• Providing all front office services and assistance to student customers.
• Managing the flow of all documents received and ensuring that these documents are accurately scanned into the digital imaging system promptly. Ensures original documents are secured in the document-holding area.
• Advising students and families regarding financial aid questions and concerns, application questions, document processing, and corrections.
• Answering incoming calls and transferring calls to appropriate staff within departments and other University offices as warranted. Retrieving and returning voicemail messages.
• Answering basic questions of students/families about Federal, State, and University policies and procedures or referring same to appropriate staff for more detailed explanation or assistance. Distributing hand-out materials to students and families.
• Meeting and counseling students/families on issues relative to financial aid sources, outside scholarships, and alternative financing options.
• Creating a bi-monthly newsletter to disseminate to students, faculty, and staff.
• Assisting with updating forms on a yearly basis.
• Responding to students' email questions and concerns within 1-2 business days.
• Collecting, sorting, and distributing mail daily.
• Assisting with outgoing mail projects and other projects as time permits.
• Handling specific inquiries of students/families as to the status of the Financial Aid.
• Providing administrative support to staff of the Financial Aid Office as directed by the Director of Financial Aid.
• Assisting in all areas of undergraduate and graduate student financial aid issues.
• Staying current on all federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies and procedures governing the financial aid process.

Qualifications

This position requires a Bachelor's Degree in an appropriate field and preferably at least one year of experience in a Financial Aid Office and a working knowledge of financial aid policies and procedures. Attention to detail, with an eye toward problem-solving, an ability to work as a team player while able to work without supervision, and sensitivity to matters of confidentially are required. Excellent written and oral communication skills are essential, as is the ability to relate well with current and prospective students, parents, and college personnel. The incumbent must understand, and support, the University's Christian mission. The person in this position must be available, when required, to attend training, orientations, open houses, and workshops off-site.

About Eastern University

Eastern University is a Christian university of the arts and sciences that integrates faith, reason and justice for students in its undergraduate, graduate, seminary, urban, professional and international programs. Applicants should have a Christian commitment compatible with its mission and be willing to support the mission and vision of the university. The university complies with federal and state guidelines of nondiscrimination in employment; members of protected classes encouraged to apply.

Benefits

We offer a complete benefits package to full-time faculty and staff including healthcare coverage, retirement plan contributions, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, long-term and short-term disability, tuition remission and tuition exchange participation as well as an extensive holiday, summer hours and paid time off leave schedule. Part-time Regular staff who are scheduled 30-36 hours per week over the course of a year, receive a full benefit package based on their part-time scheduled hours. Healthcare coverage is based on the ACA medical coverage guidelines. Affiliate faculty receive a benefit package as outlined with their covenant. Adjunct faculty may be eligible for medical coverage under the ACA after an annual one year lookback review. Part-time staff who are scheduled to work less than 30 hours per week schedule are eligible for employer contribution towards the retirement plan after one year of employment. Eligibility rules apply. Adjunct faculty may make employee deferral contributions towards the retirement plan. Part-Time Graduate Assistant Coaches are eligible for participation in the Tuition Remission Coaches Program. Temporary, Contractors and Seasonal Employees: Individuals in this status are scheduled on an as-needed-basis and are not eligible for participation in the University's benefits programs. Detailed information regarding our benefits program and eligibility is provided once hired or you can contact Human Resources with any questions.