The purpose of this position is to serve, educate, and assist Pepperdine University, Caruso School of Law’s Graduate Law online program students with achieving their educational goals by providing appropriate financial resources within institutional, federal, and state guidelines. This includes, but is not limited to, loans, grants, scholarships, and external funding for those who qualify. The Financial Aid Manager navigates multiple complex systems that require critical thinking, provides personal and financial counseling, makes professional judgment decisions for students in unique situations, and analyzes and interprets institutional, federal, and state laws/regulations to maintain program compliance and distribute funds properly.

Duties

• Respond to student inquiries and guide them through the financial aid process for the entire student lifecycle. Provide excellent student service and anticipates the needs of students and works proactively to problem solve and communicate with students, faculty, staff, and outside agencies, as appropriate, to serve students' best interests and resolve issues. Assist with the application follow-up, communication processes, and federal and institutional aid packaging.
• Generate financial aid reports. Audit student awards based on unit enrollment. Pro-rate financial assistance awards for students enrolled less than full-time.
• Provide student financial aid counseling over the phone, virtually, and in person. Participate in orientation and other events as required.
• Assist with updating office communications, forms, and brochures.
• Serve as the financial aid liaison for the 2U partnership.
• Develop and deliver financial aid webinars about budgeting and the Federal Student Aid process for students in online programs.
• Veterans Benefits New Housing Regulations: Evaluate and administer new regulations regarding VA Basic Housing Allowance. Identify and evaluate students' cost of attendance. Create and update internal processes as needed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.
• Uphold the University mission through work performed.

The above information has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Skills and Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor's Degree.
• Minimum of 2 years of current experience with student services or customer service.
• Strong ability to plan, prioritize, and organize short and long-term tasks.
• Excellent communication/customer service/interpersonal skills, outgoing, service and detail oriented.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Ability to administer individual and group informational sessions.
• Experience working with an adult professional population. Ability to maintain a positive attitude.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, familiarity with imaging processes, web-based systems, and applications.

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Computer Science, Counseling, Education, Social Science or related field.
• More than two years of financial aid experience, and familiarity with PeopleSoft.
• Advanced knowledge of PeopleSoft Student System.
• Proficiency in ELM, NSLDS, COD, and Etrieve.

This is a Regular, Nonexempt, 40 hour per week position.

Expected Pay Range: $26.82 - $29.80 per hour

The above pay range reflects what Pepperdine University reasonably expects to pay for this position at time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors such as work experience, market conditions, education/training, and skill level. In addition to base pay, Pepperdine offers a robust and highly competitive benefits package.

Pepperdine is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of any status or condition protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Pepperdine is committed to providing a work environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination and harassment. Engaging in unlawful discrimination or harassment will result in appropriate disciplinary action, up to and including dismissal from the University.

Pepperdine is religiously affiliated with the Churches of Christ. It is the purpose of Pepperdine to pursue the very highest employment and academic standards within a context that celebrates and extends the spiritual and ethical ideals of the Christian faith. While students, faculty, and staff represent many religious backgrounds, Pepperdine is permitted under applicable law and reserves the right to seek, hire, and promote persons who support the goals and mission of the institution, including the right to prefer co-religionists who support Pepperdine's Christian mission.

Qualified individuals should be able to show respect for workplace differences, and have the ability to work effectively with individuals from different backgrounds.

Offers of employment are contingent upon successful completion of a criminal, education, and employment screening. The University conducts such screenings in compliance with applicable laws and with the objectives of evaluating risk and supporting a safe environment for students, faculty, staff, and guests; safeguarding key University assets including people, property, information, and the University’s reputation; and providing comprehensive job-related information to University leaders to enable them to make prudent hiring decisions. Individuals will be required to disclose any criminal convictions on a designated form after receiving a conditional offer of employment; failure to disclose accurate information may result in withdrawal of the offer or termination of employment. Qualified individuals with criminal histories will be considered for employment in compliance with applicable laws, including the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance.