College Access & Preparedness, Financial Aid Manager

We are seeking a Financial Aid Manager to join our College Access & Preparedness team. The successful candidate will serve as the primary point of contact for scholars and families across all aspects of financial aid, college financing, and affordability.

The Financial Aid Manager will guide families through the full process, ensure colleges and other external entities receive complete and accurate information, and help each scholar understand their options and make an informed, financially sustainable college choice.

Key Responsibilities:

• Guide scholars and families through FAFSA, TAP, CSS Profile, verification, and institutional financial aid requirements.
• Deliver structured financial aid lessons and workshops that build clarity and ownership.
• Meet with families to review award letters, explain aid types, and support affordability planning.
• Analyze financial aid packages with precision, identifying discrepancies, risks, and affordability concerns.
• Support affordability decision-making by providing clear comparisons and sustainability assessments.
• Manage financial aid appeals when appropriate, ensuring strong documentation, compelling and accurate communication, and persistent follow-through.
• Execute a sequenced financial aid calendar with accuracy and urgency.
• Track all deliverables in real time using dashboards and CAP's centralized digital platform.
• Manage a high-volume workflow with disciplined organization and strong follow-through.
• Partner with School-Based Leaders to align on scholar needs and intervention plans.
• Collaborate with CAP Associates to integrate financial aid deliverables into the broader college application process.
• Provide classroom coverage for CAP Associates as needed, maintaining routines, clarity, and instructional quality.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree required.
• 3-5 years of experience in a fast-paced, high-expectation environment involving complex case management, family or client support, advising, operations, or other deadline-driven work.
• Direct experience in financial aid, college access, college advising, student services, or a related field is preferred.
• Knowledge of FAFSA, TAP, CSS Profile, verification, institutional financial aid requirements, scholarships, loans, and financial aid appeals is strongly preferred.
• Strong analytical skills, with the ability to interpret complex information, identify discrepancies and risks, and determine appropriate next steps.
• Demonstrated ability to manage a high-volume caseload or workflow, maintain persistent follow-through, and meet non-negotiable deadlines.
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills, with the ability to explain complex and sensitive information clearly and confidently.
• Resourceful problem solver who can navigate ambiguity, resolve issues, and advocate professionally with external organizations.
• Highly organized and detail-oriented, with the ability to manage multiple workstreams and maintain complete and accurate records.
• Proficiency using digital platforms, dashboards, and AI-enabled tools to manage workflows, monitor progress, and strengthen accuracy and efficiency.
• Ability to deliver lessons, facilitate workshops, and provide classroom or scholar-facing coverage with clarity and confidence.
• Maturity, discretion, and sound judgment when handling confidential information and high-stakes family decisions.
• Self-starter with a strong bias toward action who thrives in fast-paced, high-expectation environments.
• Mission-driven, with a commitment to expanding college access and supporting financially sustainable college outcomes.