Carolynn Bird
Chicopee,MA
Summary
Experienced higher education professional with high standards of integrity and a commitment to
superior student service and regulatory compliance.
Exceptionally self-motivated and organized with the ability to work independently and as
a collaborative team member.
Demonstrated ability to establish priorities and manage time effectively and efficiently.
Overview
12
12
years of professional experience
Work History
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Elms College
08.2023 - Current
- Assists the Director of Financial Aid in planning, supervising the day-to-day operations of the Financial Aid office, Developing policy and procedures, and helping to coordinate and complete the financial aid awarding and disbursing functions of the College
- Helps to plan, coordinate, and implement staff work assignments, work schedules and vacation leave requests to insure that work is completed in a timely fashion and students are properly served
- Manages Federal Work Study program, to include awarding aid to eligible students, communicating procedures, placing students in available positions, and balancing work-study earnings bi-monthly
- Conducts periodic internal program reviews to ensure that the quality of the work remains high and that compliance with federal and state regulations is maintained
- Oversees and when necessary participates directly in the process of helping students complete the financial aid process
- Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by participating in administrative and professional venues and making presentations to inform the public about the various financial aid programs and associated application processes
- Provides communication and cooperation with other offices, e.g., Admissions, Student Accounts, and Registrar
- Disbursement institutional, and state funds
- Reconciliation of Federal Direct loans and Federal Pell Grant
- Works with the Director on Institutional Advancement funds
- Manages State grants Return of Title IV processing
- Assists the Director with A-133 audits
- Assists the Director with reporting such as FISAP and IPED's
- Manages the department in the absence of the Director.
Interim Director of Financial Aid
Elms College
12.2023 - 05.2024
- Provide interim financial aid leadership, and provide hands-on direction
- Acting quickly on identified observations to maintain a compliant financial aid environment with excellent customer service
- Implement new initiatives, including reengineering and streamlining existing processes
- Onboard and train existing and future financial aid staff to eventually take over strategic and operational leadership
- Apply hands-on knowledge for regular processing and operational support
- Represent the financial aid office with both internal and external constituents, including campus leadership
- Maintaining high service orientation and good customer service
- Training financial aid staff
- Packaging/awarding and making award adjustments
- Keeping financial aid operations running smoothly and making sure they are in line with the client’s enrollment strategies and institutional goals
- Working with the business office to ensure federal program accounts are reconciled monthly and that year end closeout occurs on time
- Reviewing special circumstances requests and appeals
- Responding to requests for financial aid data
- Completing and submitting the Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP) or making necessary FISAP edits
- Conducting an exit interview at/near the end of the engagement
- Promotes diversity, equity, inclusion, cultural competency, and a positive work and academic environment
- Manages EdConnect, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and related Department of Education interfaces
- Develops and coordinates programming related to financial aid and financing options, which includes (but not limited to) admissions recruitment events, new student orientation sessions, and financial literacy workshops
- When appropriate, conducts financial aid information sessions (small and large group formats) and meets with students to communicate financial aid application procedures to students, parents, high school counselors, and community college advisors
- Prepares statistical data/reports appropriate to the Financial Aid Office
- Creates financial aid reports that align with admissions reports; compiles and analyzes socioeconomic, geographic, demographic data, and peer institution data; and creates benchmarking data on financial aid that informs/guides recruitment strategies and strategies for improving student completion
- Serves as the primary source of campus expertise on financial aid regulations, policies and packaging of awards
- Participates in cross-functional working groups and campus committees, and contributes to the enrollment management team as well as the Student Success Division.
Financial Aid Counselor
Springfield Technical Community College
11.2021 - 08.2023
- Advise students and families on all aspects of financial aid, including the application process, eligibility, appeals, cost of attendance, resources, disbursements, and loan repayment
- Review and award a caseload of undergraduate students, including federal verification of an average of 280 students per cycle
- Liaison to students participating in student success services
- Certify and reconcile state funds for the MASS Grant and GEAR UP program
- Perform administrative tasks such as collecting, analyzing, organizing, and disseminating statistical data
- Prepare and present programming for Open House, Accepted Students Day & New Student Orientation and other on campus and off campus functions
- Manage the ISIR intake process for the Colleague Financial Aid module
- Create written content, including publications, student missing information communications plans, award letter guides, website management, self-service portal, and social media
- Manage Colleague Self-Service requirements
- Coordinate and Oversee the Federal Work Study Program
- Supervise Work Study staff
- Perform Return to Title IV (R2TIV) calculations
- Provide training and support to customer service operations and clerical staff in the Student Financial Services Office.
Personal Care Assistant
Northeastern ARC
12.2011 - 04.2023
- Required to give care in homes of resident(s)
- Meal preparations, transfers, toileting, bathing, etc
- Perform house duties such as laundry, grocery shopping, Med Cue, etc.
Clerk IV
Springfield Technical Community College
09.2018 - 11.2021
- Perform clerical duties and data entry functions related to financial aid
- Advise students and families on all aspects of financial aid, including the application process, eligibility, appeals, cost of attendance, resources, disbursements, and loan repayment
- Assist students in completing FAFSA applications
- Participate in processing documents for students selected for verification
- Assures fast and effective use of college telephone service in the FAO
- Assist with payments, verification documents, and communications
- Responsible for Nelnet payment plans & Internal Payment plans
- Responsible for check investigations.
Federal Work Study
Springfield Technical Community College
06.2017 - 09.2018
- Work collaboratively with STCC Student Financial Services to provide students the tools to explore their academic opportunities, and design strategies for continual academic and professional growth
- Alphabetizing/Filing, photocopying, stuffing for mailings
- Perform clerical duties and data entry functions related to financial aid
- Answering phones and emails
- Additional tasks as needed
- Assist students in completing FAFSA applications.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Westfield State University
Westfield, MA05.2021
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Springfield Technical Community College
Springfield, MA05.2018
Skills
- Higher Education Knowledge
- Financial aid expertise
- Student Counseling
- Bilingual in Spanish and English
Technical Skills
- Ellucian
- CROA
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel,
Outlook, PowerPoint, OneDrive)
Websites
Accomplishments
● Dean’s List
● Graduation Honors
● EASFAA Connects Mentorship Program Participant
● MASFAA Member
● NASFAA Member
● President’s Award for Academic Excellence and Leadership
● National Honor Society Member
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
English
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Interim Director of Financial Aid
Elms College
12.2023 - 05.2024
Associate Director of Financial Aid
Elms College
08.2023 - Current
Financial Aid Counselor
Springfield Technical Community College
11.2021 - 08.2023
Clerk IV
Springfield Technical Community College
09.2018 - 11.2021
Federal Work Study
Springfield Technical Community College
06.2017 - 09.2018
Personal Care Assistant
Northeastern ARC
12.2011 - 04.2023
Bachelor of Science - Sociology
Westfield State University
Associate of Arts - General Studies
Springfield Technical Community College