Deborah Hoefler
Akron,CO
Summary
Compassionate Financial Aid Administrator with 16 years of helping students reach full potential through educational opportunities. Significant understanding of federal financial aid and state aid rules and regulations proven with zero state or federal audit findings. Proficient communicator in serving students, colleagues and constituents. Independent learner, yet motivated by teamwork and collaboration. Transparent, loyal and dedicated to the work of higher education.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Director of Financial Aid Operations & Compliance
Community College Of Aurora
01.2020 - Current
- Responsible for day to day monitoring of state and federal financial aid guidelines and regulations.
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards. 7561 unduplicated applications
- Processed federal financial aid verifications per guidelines. 880 unduplicated applications
- Assisted with preparation of federal, state and institutional fiscal reports, ie, IPEDS, SURDS, FISAP.
- Responsible for monthly reconciliation for Federal Pell, Student Loans, Workstudy and Campus Based Scholarships total funding AY 22-23 over $16 million
Director of Financial Aid Advising
Community College Of Aurora
03.2015 - 01.2020
- Supervised Customer Service Operations of Financial Aid –which includes all day to day processes of interactions with students, parents and other staff at both CentreTech and Lowry Campus.
- Supervised work-study, scholarship, appeals and community outreach program.
- Assisted with preparation of federal, state and institutional fiscal and annual reports.
- Monitored funds management and reconciliation processes for Stafford loans and work-study funds
- Provided training and coaching for college staff of all updated and new automated processes.
- Served as primary liaison between financial aid and all other departments on campus, (Student Affairs, Fiscal and Instruction).
- Actively participated in Student Affairs Leadership Team, provided leadership with operating policies and procedures.
- Directly advised students in financial aid application process and policies, academic requirements developing long and short-term goals,
- Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.
- Devised programs to promote diversity and inclusion among staff, faculty and students.
Financial Aid Advisor
Community College Of Aurora
11.2007 - 03.2015
- Met with students and parents’ one on one to assist them in their academic journey at CCA. Counseling them through initial steps of enrollment and financial aid process.
- Determined student financial aid eligibility and authorize awards from federal, state, institutional, and private programs in compliance with all rules, regulations, and guidelines. Revise awards as individual circumstances change.
- Advised, and counsel individuals and groups, including prospective and current students, parents, faculty, staff and other professionals in financial aid community about available financial aid programs, application procedures, eligibility requirements and students’ rights and responsibilities.
- Functioned as “go to counselor” for students, staff and work studies.
- Resolved financial aid student issues by analyzing financial aid data, consulting with staff in Financial Aid Office, Cashier’s Office and Admissions.
Director of Individual Gifts
Denver Museum Of Nature And Science
05.2006 - 11.2007
- Developed and monitored individual gifts annual plan and budget of $1,303,239.00 to support goals and objectives of Museum’s strategic and annual plans.
- Solicited major gifts ($10,000 and above) from individual prospects, including volunteers, members and staff, working closely with Trustees, President/CEO and staff.
- Built donor relationships through personal calls and visits, events community involvement and written communications.
- Identified major gift opportunities that met needs and interests of individual donors
- Collaborated with curators, educators and other staff to develop proposals for general operations and restricted gift designation;
Director of LCC Foundation
Lamar Community College
05.2002 - 05.2006
- Responsible for raising and administering $180,000.00 in scholarship funds annually
- Maintained donor’s fiscal records using donor software.
- Directed interview process for student applicants
- Developed Mentor and volunteer programs for scholarship recipients
Director of Customized Training
Lamar Community College
05.2002 - 05.2006
- Developed specialized training for corporate sector i.e., proposals, cost analysis, assessment plan, curriculum model and evaluation processes.
- Assisted students in enrollment process including, financial aid, grant, loan and testing processes.
- Successfully wrote, coordinated and managed grant funding through the State of Colorado Office of Economic Development and the Department of Labor for Colorado First & Existing Industry Grant.
- Collaboratively worked with local industries to maintain partnerships for training opportunities.
Education
Master of Arts - Adult Education& Human Resource Studies
Colorado State University
Fort Collins, CO05.2025
Bachelor of Science - Business
Franklin University
Columbus, OH05.2021
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Lamar Community College
Lamar, CO12.1999
Skills
- Extensive understanding of Federal and State aid regulations and policy
- 8 years of experience in internal audits of all financial aid activities
- Strong analytical and problem solving skills
- Organized, detailed and confident public speaker
- 20 Years of Supervisory and Leadership Experience
- Bachelors Degree in Business Administration
- 24 credits towards Masters in Education
Accomplishments
- Community College Exempt Employee of the Year 2015
- Highest Retention of Employees for a department within Student Affairs with the average employee staying 7 years.
- Zero State or Federal Financial AId Audit Findings over the course of 16 years.
Affiliations
- National Associate of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Rocky Mountain Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators
- Colorado Associate of Student Financial Aid Administrators
Certification
- Certified Educator in Personal Finance
- Title IX Training
- Microaggression Training
- Creating Positive Labor Relations
- Cyber Security Training
- Workplace Harassment Training
(All are current certifications of 7/2022)
Professional Teaching-Training
Adjunct Teacher- Lamar Community College 2004-2006
- Public Speaking Team Building, Conflict & Resolution, Customer Service, Leadership, Motivation and American Management Workplace
- Developed the Lamar Community College Student Ambassador Program and served as lead advisor
- Created leadership workshops for local student organizations
Timeline
Director of Financial Aid Operations & Compliance
Community College Of Aurora
01.2020 - Current
Director of Financial Aid Advising
Community College Of Aurora
03.2015 - 01.2020
Financial Aid Advisor
Community College Of Aurora
11.2007 - 03.2015
Director of Individual Gifts
Denver Museum Of Nature And Science
05.2006 - 11.2007
Director of LCC Foundation
Lamar Community College
05.2002 - 05.2006
Director of Customized Training
Lamar Community College
05.2002 - 05.2006
Master of Arts - Adult Education& Human Resource Studies
Colorado State University
Bachelor of Science - Business
Franklin University
Associate of Arts - Business Administration
Lamar Community College
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