Amy Starr
Eagle Bridge,NY
Summary
Highly Skilled financial aid administrator with background as Associate Director of Financial Aid. Experience includes managing financial aid processes, ensuring compliance with federal and state regulations, and working collaboratively with students and staff. Strengths include strong leadership abilities, problem-solving skills, and commitment to providing excellent student service. Current role involves streamlining financial aid procedures, improving efficiency, and enhancing student and family satisfaction.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Bennington College
Bennington, VT
05.2016 - Current
- 9 years of experience in PowerFAIDS, Slate, and Populi computer systems.
- Oversee the daily operations of the financial aid office and a small team of counselors, ensuring compliance and efficiency.
- Manage the domestic alphabet population from L to Z.
- Study Abroad Financial Aid Counselor.
- Review and package financial aid applications for accuracy and eligibility in a timely manner during the packaging season.
- Complete needs analysis, using Federal and Institutional Methodology to determine student eligibility for various types of aid, per institutional strategy.
- Return of Title IV processing and oversight.
- Coordinate with other offices, especially Admissions, Student Accounts, and the Registrar's Office, for streamlined operations.
- Manage the processing of Federal Direct Loans, Pell Grants, Parent PLUS loans, Alternative loans, and scholarships.
- Monthly Title IV Reconciliation with COD, Business Office, and PowerFAIDS.
- Verification of federal and institutional flagged students by Department of Education regulations and guidelines.
- Annual Parameter Roll Preparation and Setup: Financial Aid Budgets, Packaging Rules, and Communications.
- Net Partner Management: Oversight and management of the front-facing student financial aid portal.
- Develop financial aid policies and procedures aligned with institutional goals and federal regulations.
- Guide staff training sessions on financial aid processes to enhance team knowledge and performance.
Office Manager
Don Miller - Nationwide Insurance
Bennington, VT
05.2008 - 05.2016
- Personal and Commercial Lines Insurance agent for 8 years.
- Trained new staff on office procedures and software tools.
- Managed daily office operations and maintained efficient workflow.
- Analyzed client needs to recommend appropriate coverage solutions.
- Collaborated with underwriters to assess risk and determine policy terms.
- Resolved client inquiries and concerns with effective communication skills.
- Developed relationships with clients to ensure ongoing support and service.
- Processed insurance applications and managed documentation efficiently.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Sage Colleges
Albany05-2002
Associate of Arts - Marketing And Management
Sage Colleges
Albany05-2000
Skills
- Proficient in Microsoft Office
- Proficient in Google Suite
- Organization and prioritization
- PowerFAIDS software management
- College Board CSS Profile
- Student and Parent Counseling
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Knowledge of Federal Regulations & guidelines
- Knowledge of FAFSA guidelines
- Needs Analysis
- Staff supervision
- Customer Service
Aspiring Director Coaching
- Blue Icon Advisors, NASFAA consulting - completion of six weeks of instruction and advice on being a successful director, building personal brand, creating and maintaining a compliant environment, the basics of enrollment management, and understanding of policies and procedures.
Powerfaids 2025 Conference
- Maximizing CSS Profile
- Parameter Roll Year Setup
- Training Your Staff
- Financial Aid offers via Slate
- Optimizing Student Data Integration.
References
References available upon request.
Timeline
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Bennington College
05.2016 - Current
Office Manager
Don Miller - Nationwide Insurance
05.2008 - 05.2016
Bachelor of Arts - Business Administration
Sage Colleges
Associate of Arts - Marketing And Management
Sage Colleges
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