Lyndon Smith
Fresno,TX
Summary
Compassionate Financial Aid Officer with 28 years of helping students reach full potential through education. Eager to connect prospective applicants with underutilized governmental and private aid programs. Dedicated to enhancing institutions' incoming student body diversity by maximizing financial contributions for deserving students. Talented administrative and customer service professional knowledgeable about financial aid. Excellent problem-solving, relationship-building and communication skills. Offering 28 years of related experience. Proficient Financial Aid Advisor well-versed in program options and regulatory requirements for student assistance. Well-organized and hardworking with good grasp of related paperwork and processes. Organized and dependable candidate successful at managing multiple priorities with a positive attitude. Willingness to take on added responsibilities to meet team goals. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills. Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously with a high degree of accuracy.
Overview
18
18
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Advisor
Houston Community College System
04.2019 - Current
- Ensured compliance with state, federal, and institutional regulations governing the distribution of financial aid by maintaining up-to-date knowledge of all relevant policies and procedures.
- Designed financial aid reward packages, aligning contents with individuals' monetary and logistical needs.
- Coordinated efforts with admissions office to ensure seamless integration of financial aid information into recruitment materials and events.
- Evaluated student appeals for additional funding or adjustments to existing awards based on extenuating circumstances or special needs.
- Maintained accurate records of all financial transactions related to student accounts, ensuring timely reconciliation during audits or reviews.
- Enhanced student satisfaction with the financial aid process by providing personalized counseling and support.
- Educated students on various federal, state, and institutional grant programs, helping them make informed choices about financing their education.
- Provided exceptional customer service to students, parents, faculty, and staff seeking assistance with financial aid matters.
- Collaborated with community-based organizations to increase economic diversity of applicant pools.
- Implemented a targeted outreach campaign targeting underrepresented groups in higher education that resulted in increased applications for need-based financial aid.
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
Financial Aid Program Coordinator II
University Of Houston
10.2010 - 07.2014
- Facilitated regular meetings with team members to discuss progress updates, address challenges, and brainstorm solutions for ongoing success.
- Established strategic partnerships with external organizations, expanding program reach and impact.
- Developed and maintained relationships with external partners to facilitate program operations.
- Kept program-related data accurate, up-to-date and easily accessible for accessibility.
- Maintained detailed records of program activities and participant data, ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulations.
- Led training sessions for staff and volunteers, fostering a knowledgeable and cohesive team environment.
- Created and delivered program training and education to keep participants knowledgeable about program and provide necessary skills to participate productively.
- Provided ongoing direction and leadership for program operations.
- Analyzed program data by tracking and reporting program outcomes to identify areas of improvement.
- Provided exceptional customer service to program participants through prompt response times and attentive assistance with inquiries or concerns.
- Collaborated with other program coordinators to achieve consistency in program objectives and services.
- Tracked and reported expenses accurately to manage program budgets.
- Assisted in the development of grant proposals, securing funding for vital program initiatives.
Financial Aid Officer
University Of Houston
08.2006 - 10.2010
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
- Provided financial aid counseling to enrolled and prospective students.
- Authored presentations and documentation for distribution to current and prospective students.
- Communicated with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Designed financial aid reward packages, aligning contents with individuals' monetary and logistical needs.
- Reduced the number of denied financial aid applications by conducting thorough reviews and offering guidance on eligibility criteria.
- Increased awareness of scholarship opportunities by organizing informational workshops and distributing promotional materials.
- Maintained compliance with federal regulations through meticulous record-keeping and regular audits of financial aid files.
- Provided comprehensive training to new staff members, ensuring consistent delivery of high-quality service to students and their families.
- Improved student satisfaction with financial aid services by providing timely and accurate information on available resources.
- Complied with state and federal financial aid guidelines and regulations.
- Collaborated with academic departments to develop targeted financial aid packages for students in specific majors or programs.
Education
EMPA - Public Administration And Services
Texas Southern University
Houston, TX12.2014
Bachelor of Arts -
State University of New York System
Oneonta, NY05.1991
Skills
- Eligibility guidelines
- Verification processes
- Payment plans
- Administrative abilities
- Microsoft Office
- Tuition assistance
- Application Analysis
- Documentation
- Student Support
- Regulatory understanding
- Loan Processing
- Student Assistance
- Financial Planning
- Student advisement
- Application Processes
- Eligibility Verification
- Program options
- Customer Service
- Attention to Detail
- Decision-Making
- Customer Relations
- Active Listening and Learning
- Oral and Written Comprehension
- Analytical and Critical Thinking
- Data Entry
- Complaint Handling
- Document analysis
- Basic Mathematics
- Eligibility Determination
- Application Review
- Financial Accounting
- Client Interview
- Application verification
- 10-Key Data Entry
- Financial History Analysis
- Database Management
- Financial transactions expertise
- Student Advising
- Financial History Review
- Regulatory Compliance
- Financial analysis aptitude
- PeopleSoft
Timeline
Financial Aid Advisor
Houston Community College System
04.2019 - Current
Financial Aid Program Coordinator II
University Of Houston
10.2010 - 07.2014
Financial Aid Officer
University Of Houston
08.2006 - 10.2010
EMPA - Public Administration And Services
Texas Southern University
Bachelor of Arts -
State University of New York System