Student Finance Military Advisor

POSITION PURPOSE Primary role and objective for the Student Finance Military Advisor is to support, explain and guide Westwood Online military students through all military paperwork, and to answer questions related to military benefits.   The Student Finance Military Advisor works closely with Enrollment Support Specialists (ESS) and the Admissions Representatives to facilitate the financial aid process, and to encourage students to take responsibility for their educational success. The military advisor must stay up to date on military or governmental changes and Department of Education regulations and changes, attend trainings, conducting research and carry out telephonic appointments. Solid communication skills, both verbal and written are required for this position.   Most importantly, it is the responsibility of the Student Finance Military Advisor to adhere to Westwood College Online mission statement of promoting empowerment, advancing careers, teaching and learning, and helping a diverse student population.   ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES    Specialists provide complete phone support for Westwood military students, taking inbound calls, and proactively reaching out to students for the purpose of advisement. Knowledgeable when speaking with Military students about Tuition Assistance, Vocational Rehabilitation, Montgomery GI Bill, Dependent Benefits,  military scholarships and more Ability to discuss and help students apply for grants and scholarships. Communicates effectively and concisely with all departments within the organization, assisting the student, and our internal customers with one call resolution. Possesses current knowledge of processing, Title IV rules and regulations,  how to manage student concerns, loan options, and a definite understanding of verification and repackaging. Ability to discuss and present Cash for Gap as a feasible option for our military students Solid follow up skills, ability to do extra research (i.e. call the department of education selective service, etc) and offer solutions to student issues. Must maintain the highest level of professionalism, reflecting a commitment to the goals of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators.     SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES This position will not directly supervise others.   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS   EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE · Exemplary verbal, written and customer services skills.  Professional work ethic with a friendly, personable attitude dedicated to the service of our students. · One year Financial Aid  experience is required · Temperament to enjoy and succeed in a high growth company and ever-changing environment, with a willingness to extend yourself to achieve goals. · Willingness to work weekends and/or early morning or evening hours as required. · A collaborative, effective team member able to work with a diverse student population. · Ability to assume facilitator and occasionally lead role in order to promote student and ESS empowerment and expedite the financial aid process in a timely manner. · Ability to build customer relationships and be persuasive on the phone and overcome student objections. · Demonstrated organizational and time management skills that will be required to balance the scheduling of calls to students, to schedule appointment with students, ESS and to manage all follow-up activities required to successfully guide students through the financial aid/financing process and ESS through the escalation process. · Be a collaborative, effective member of a team and to work with all types of people, to assume facilitator and occasionally lead role, and to affect timely submissions from others required. · Ability to work independently with little supervision     COMPUTER EXPERIENCE Must have solid knowledge of computer operations and be able to operate a keyboard, mouse, be able to type,  perform 10-key accurately and have basic knowledge of email and spreadsheets, databases, and word processing software such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, web-based applications and CRM experience.   LANGUAGE AND MATHEMATICAL SKILLS Ability to read and interpret basic to complex documents such as textbooks, instruction manuals, written compliance documentation,  to write basic to complex correspondence,  to communicate professionally, with clarity and brevity, required--both orally and in writing,  and to perform general mathematical calculations such as percents, addition, subtraction and ability to make basic arithmetic calculations   REASONING ABILITY Ability to understand and carry out instructions furnished in written, oral, or diagram form,  to weigh the big picture against detailed parts of the larger project or situation and Ability to judge that which requires consultation, and at what level, and that which can be decided without consultation and to work independently, self-start and self-monitor, multi-task, and change project priorities while balancing the urgency of assignments and associated timeline.  Strong problem-solving abilities are essential.         PHYSICAL DEMANDS While performing the duties of this job, the employee will regularly need the Ability to hear and willingness to work on the telephone a minimum of 85% of the work shift. Use hands, fingers, and wrists to write, and work with computer keyboards and office machine. Stand, walk, sit, and reach with hands and arms and may occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds.  The employee will need to have close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.  Reasonable accommodations may be considered for qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. Please contact the Human Resources Dept for more information.   WORK ENVIRONMENT An employee can expect to work in close proximity with other co-workers in an office environment with many offices and cubicles with a moderate to high noise level.