Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Awards
Timeline
Generic

Akeen Downes

NEWARK

Summary

Financial Aid Advisor with extensive experience supporting at-risk populations in FAFSA completion and student verifications. Proficient in navigating the financial aid process, including federal grants and loans. Committed to promoting educational access through personalized counseling, regulatory compliance, and effective resource management

Overview

7
7
years of professional experience

Work History

Financial Aid Advisor

Universal Technical Institute
Bloomfield
01.2025 - Current
  • Facilitate the completion of the FAFSA applications and contributor sections for students and parents.
  • Advise students on alternative educational loan options and application processes.
  • Manage and update student funding records in the SMART financial aid database to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal regulations.
  • Leverage FAFSA Partner Portal for tracking and reviewing applications.
  • Conduct financial aid packaging sessions to clarify federal aid eligibility with families.
  • Collaborate with internal departments to ensure accurate and timely disbursement of student financial aid funds

Financial Aid Coordinator

New Community Corporation
Newark
01.2024 - 12.2024
  • Assisted students in completing financial aid applications.
  • Provided counseling to students and families on financial aid options, eligibility requirements, and application procedures.
  • Resolved discrepancies in financial aid documentation, and supported the verification process in compliance with federal guidelines.
  • Maintained strict confidentiality of student records and ensured compliance with FERPA and data privacy regulations.

Financial Coach

New Community Corporation
Newark
09.2022 - 12.2024
  • Developed achievable financial plans in collaboration with clients to support the attainment of financial goals.
  • Designed customized budgets in collaboration with students, and formulated strategies to enhance net income.
  • Led monthly financial literacy workshops aimed at improving money management and credit-building skills.

Instructional Aide

Jersey City Global Charter School
Jersey City
08.2020 - 06.2022
  • Maintained accurate and complete records of students' progress and development.
  • Assisted in planning, preparing, and delivering daily instructional activities to students.

Management Intern

Port Authority of NY, NJ
06.2020 - 08.2020
  • Prepared and processed monthly settlements.
  • Recorded retired assets and reviewed suspended projects.
  • Constructed depreciation variance analysis.

Tax Preparer

AKO Tax Services
Newark
10.2018 - 05.2019
  • Prepared, reviewed, and rectified tax data.
  • Consistently revised refund statuses, prioritizing safeguarding of clients' legal documents.

Education

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

New Jersey City University, School of Business
06.2021

Skills

  • Financial aid counseling
  • Student funding management
  • Financial literacy education
  • Application tracking
  • Problem solving
  • Google platforms
  • Data visualization using Tableau
  • Student support
  • Verification processes
  • Microsoft Office

Awards

  • Bloomberg Completion Certificate- Portfolio Management 2020
  • National Society of Leadership and Success at NJCU
  • National Society of Collegiate Scholars

Timeline

Financial Aid Advisor

Universal Technical Institute
01.2025 - Current

Financial Aid Coordinator

New Community Corporation
01.2024 - 12.2024

Financial Coach

New Community Corporation
09.2022 - 12.2024

Instructional Aide

Jersey City Global Charter School
08.2020 - 06.2022

Management Intern

Port Authority of NY, NJ
06.2020 - 08.2020

Tax Preparer

AKO Tax Services
10.2018 - 05.2019

Bachelor of Science - Accounting

New Jersey City University, School of Business

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