Financial Aid Coaching Specialist

Central Washington University is recruiting a Financial Aid Coaching Specialist to join our Student Financial Services team in Ellensburg, Washington. This role is an important member of our team as they enhance the vision for the University. The role is a campus-based position, which means you get to see the lives you are impacting. We're offering a salary, depending on experience, from $41,184 - $49,421 annually plus the awesome CWU benefits.

Who we are:

We are a team of individuals committed to Changing Students' Lives. No matter what job, each of us plays a part in supporting and empowering our students to fulfill their dreams.

Working in higher education provides career growth and career choice. Think of a university campus like a mini city, operating across 380 acres. You'll find diverse academics, libraries, athletics and sporting events, full service and quick serve dining, conferences and events from small to large, recreation centers, housing, health services, police and public safety for the campus population of ~10,000 students.

Central Washington University has been named a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Program Top Producing Institution for the 2022-2023 academic year. In addition, for the seventh time in eight years, CWU is a recipient of the prestigious Higher Education Excellence in Diversity (HEED) Award from INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine. Come join us on our journey to encourage, inspire, and create spaces where all identities thrive on campus.

Tour our campus in Ellensburg here. www.youtube.com/watch?v=HjdhOegDa9A

What we offer:

Our investment in you begins the day you join our team, a healthy and successful future for you is important to us. We offer medical, dental, life and disability insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, tuition assistance for you and your dependents, discounts across town, an employee assistance program for individualized counseling, and a wellness incentive program. Learn more: Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

The Role:

In support of recruitment and retention efforts, the Financial Aid Coaching Specialist has conversations with students, parents, high school staff, transfer institutions, and Admissions staff about financing higher education. Works with high school staff, community college staff, and local community organizations to develop and implement college workshops and seminars on financing higher education, including financial aid and scholarship application nights. Assesses and assists student progress toward financial aid application completion with follow up, encouragement, and coaching. All employees are expected to support CWU's commitment to diversity and to bring and support inclusion into the university environment.

Financial Recruitment/Outreach:
- Serve as point of contact for students, parents, and high school and college staff to answer questions pertaining to the financing of higher education
- Prepare and give presentations regarding financial aid and scholarship opportunities in the public schools and community organizations
- Disseminate college admissions and financial aid information at informational booths, college fairs, and job fairs with established target communities and high schools within assigned geographical area
- Identify and/or help develop tools to demonstrate the value of higher education related to career options and earning potential
- Work with Admission counselors to develop targeted college financing and scholarship workshops
- Develop and nurture relationships with high school counselors
- Work with high school staff to schedule delivery of information about the value of higher education and financing options for college education
- Develop and send communications to students in different stages of the higher education aid application process

Application Assistance:
- Encourage and assist individuals with financial aid and scholarship completion process

• Explain the importance of the application process
• Demonstrate how to identify required documents
• Explain institutional document requests
• Support completion and submission of required documents

- Ensure students have support to progress toward application completion
- Make appropriate referrals for additional student support as needed
- Interpret and explain financial aid offers in relation to institutional estimated costs of attendance

Analysis/Collaboration:
- Contribute to university outreach and aid application completion initiatives
- Collect, retain, and analyze aid offers and other recruiting materials
- Work with college and high school staff to develop and implement best practices related to financial aid application and scholarship completion

- Perform other duties as assigned

• Demonstrated expertise in public speaking and engagement
• Ability to independently generate and foster lasting relationships in support of higher education
• Experience interpreting, explaining, and applying laws, regulations, and complex policies for multiple or highly specialized programs
• Valid Washington State Driver's license and ability to travel throughout assigned geographical area
• Demonstrated willingness and/or experience working with students and/or co-workers from a wide range of abilities, backgrounds and experiences
• OR applicable combination of education and/or experience which demonstrates the ability to perform the essential functions of the position

Preferred Qualifications

• Bi-lingual, preferably Spanish
• Comprehensive understanding of state and federal financial aid programs
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software familiarity
• Work experience in or exposure to post-secondary education
• Life experiences that demonstrate an ability to contribute to CWU's commitment to inclusion and diversity
• Demonstrated commitment to improving access to higher education for students in support of CWU's mission and vision through various activities

Competencies

• Accountability/Dependability: Accepts responsibility for quality of own work; acknowledges and corrects mistakes. Shows up on time, meets standards, deadlines and work schedules.
• Judgement: Makes timely, informed decisions. Analyzes options and determines appropriate course of action.
• Teamwork: Promotes cooperation and mutual support to achieve goals. Encourages participation and mutual support.
• Adaptability/Flexibility: Responds positively to changing business needs and responsibilities. Adapts approach and methods to achieve results; recovers quickly from setbacks and finds alternatives.
• Commitment to Diversity: Recognizes the value of diversity and helps create environment that supports and embraces diversity.

Don't meet every single requirement? At CWU we're dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace, so if you're excited about this role but your experience doesn't align perfectly with every requirement, we encourage you to apply anyway. This may be the job for you!

Salary: This position has a minimum annual salary of $41,184.00 and maximum annual salary of $57,658.00. The Hiring Department's expected hiring range is $41,184 - $49,421. In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the hiring range is based on the candidate's current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Schedule/Appointment: Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm (1 hour lunch)

Working Conditions: Work is performed at the CWU Ellensburg campus, local high schools, community college campuses, and other public areas with frequent in-person and group interactions. It is essential to be able to remain at a desk/computer workstation for periods of time, perform extensive data entry, and other computer-related tasks. Some evening or weekend work along with extensive travel within assigned geographical area is required.

Benefits: CWU offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical and dental insurance, retirement and optional savings plans, life and disability insurance, along with vacation and sick leave plans depending on employment classification. For additional information please visit Benefits, Perks, and Leave.

An employee of CWU may be eligible for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program if the employee has student loans. To learn more, visit: https://ofm.wa.gov/state-human-resources/public-service-loan-forgiveness-program.