Celestino Vargas
Manassas,VA
Summary
Highly motivated professional with 12 years' experience in customer service, time management, and financial advising. Interested in applying skills in a role that will enhance my professional career.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Administrator Advisor
Capella University
2021.08 - Current
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Communicated with prospective learners to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Handle FA awarding procedures such as Identity Verification, DHS for the FlexPath and GuidedPath, SAP, COD Rejects, NSLDS overpayments, Reaffirmation forms etc.
- Evaluated eligibility criteria for various funding sources, matching learners with appropriate opportunities.
- Optimized the use of financial aid resources by regularly reviewing and adjusting FA based on learners needs.
- Review and award learners Sub/Unsub, Pell, GradPLUS, Tuition Assistant for WFE, Discounts, FSEOG.
- Collaborated with other departments to ensure accurate data sharing and timely disbursement of funds.
- Improved student satisfaction rates by addressing concerns promptly and offering solutions for each case.
- Evaluated learners FA requests and documents to verify accuracy and completeness.
- Consistently met or exceeded company targets for verification completion rates, contributing to the overall success of the team.
- Handle FA awarding procedures such as Identity Verification, DHS for the FlexPath and GuidedPath, SAP, COD Rejects, NSLDS overpayments, Reaffirmation forms etc.
- Prioritized workload efficiently, managing multiple cases simultaneously without compromising on quality or accuracy.
- Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals.
FA Verification Specialist
Strayer University
2018.03 - 2021.08
- Review V1, V4, V5 Verification Form for Strayer University and Capella University
- Inbound and outbound call to learners
- Review IRS tax forms required for Verification
- Handle SF cases
- Consistently met targets for verification completion rates, contributing to the overall success of the team.
- Internal and external emails
- Prioritized workload efficiently, managing multiple cases simultaneously without compromising on quality or accuracy.
- Adapting to new procedures and system conversion
- Reduced errors in documentation by thoroughly cross-checking data against established parameters.
- Verified learners information by analyzing existing information on file.
Student Financial Aid Advisor
Strayer University
2016.12 - 2018.03
- Provide financial aid assistant to enrolled and prospective learners.
- Respond to learners via email/phone calls within SLA.
- Run and mange reports.
- All SFS knowledge
- Assist learners in securing funding for their education through comprehensive FA research and application guidance.
- Problem solve issues and provide solutions for the learners.
- Inbound and Outbound calls.
- Provided exceptional customer service to students, parents, faculty, and staff seeking assistance with financial aid matters.
Assistant Day Care Director/ Program Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington
2011.05 - 2017.12
- Managed a team up to 20 counselors.
- Supervised and coached team members on proper procedures and care standards.
- Handle customer/children escalations as needed.
- Overlook the children's recreational and educational activities during the time they are entrusted to us at the Boys and Girls Club.
- Responsible for telephone inquiries, providing quality service to parents.
- Managed parent drop offs and staff schedules.
- Coordinate Summer Camp and the logistics with vendors and venues.
- Coordinate activities for club members and day care participants.
- Manage sportsmanship and classroom behavior through redirection and positive reinforcement.
- Facilitate small group interactions including reading, studying and recreational activities.
- Director of Power Hour educational sessions.
- Ensured that all safety protocols were followed consistently by all personnel involved in providing direct patient care or support services.
Server/Bartender
Red Lobster
2013.06 - 2017.01
- Ensure all guests have an excellent experience and are satisfied with their service
- Train new servers on menu knowledge and steps of quality service
- Serviced multiple patrons simultaneously with full-course meals in a high-volume, fine dining atmosphere
- Maintain strong working relationships with colleagues and patrons while consistently demonstrating wine/beverage etiquette
- Performed heavy lifting and manual labor, including loading and unloading food trucks (Delivery days), and carrying materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
Host
Red Lobster
2011.07 - 2013.06
- Greet guest determine logistics of seating arrangements and server designations
- Execute seat rotation
- Managed call ahead and wait lists.
Education
Associates in Business Administration -
Northern Virginia Community College
Skills
- Superior with customer service etiquette
- Bilingual- Fluent in English and Spanish
- Well-honed communication skills and team management
- Excellent problem-solving skills: able to identify problems and implement a solution
- Learning to adapt into new roles and new procedure
- Microsoft Office
- Loan Processing
- Learner Assistance
- Eligibility Verification
- Teamwork and Collaboration
Timeline
Financial Aid Administrator Advisor
Capella University
2021.08 - Current
FA Verification Specialist
Strayer University
2018.03 - 2021.08
Student Financial Aid Advisor
Strayer University
2016.12 - 2018.03
Server/Bartender
Red Lobster
2013.06 - 2017.01
Host
Red Lobster
2011.07 - 2013.06
Assistant Day Care Director/ Program Counselor
Boys and Girls Club of Greater Washington
2011.05 - 2017.12
Associates in Business Administration -
Northern Virginia Community College
Similar Profiles
Lawrence Iweriebor, Ph.D.Lawrence Iweriebor, Ph.D.
Adjunct Faculty Member at Capella UniversityAdjunct Faculty Member at Capella University
Tara StahlbergTara Stahlberg
Associate Manager at Capella UniversityAssociate Manager at Capella University
Eric DuckettEric Duckett
Enrollment Counselor at Capella UniversityEnrollment Counselor at Capella University