Mireya Aguilar
Houston
Summary
Dynamic financial aid professional with extensive experience at Universal Technical Institute. Proven track record in regulatory compliance and customer engagement, enhancing student support services. Adept at problem-solving and fostering compassionate relationships, I have successfully guided families through complex financial aid processes, ensuring informed decisions and increased awareness through workshops. Self-motivated professional highly proficient in developing creative solutions and implementing objective decision making. Well-versed in working in internal student information systems Smart / Regent and Image Now.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Financial Aid Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
10.2021 - Current
- Counseled students and families on budgeting, credit management, and loan repayment strategies promoting responsible financial habits.
- Maintained compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines by staying updated on policy changes and conducting regular audits of financial aid records during the Graduate File Reviews.
- Guided families through the complexities of applying for federal grants, loans, and other forms of financial assistance.
- Provided exceptional customer service to students and parents by answering questions related to financial aid programs, application processes, deadlines, and award notifications.
- Actively collaborated with cross-functional teams to improve the student experience and operational outcomes.
- Support new advisors during their onboarding process, providing guidance on training materials, processes and resources to ensure successful integration into the team.
Financial Aid Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
02.2019 - 10.2021
- 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.
- Advised and counseled students/families on the availability of financial aid the delivery process for receiving it and the reconciliation processes required to insure that financial aid funds are transferred to student account.
- Provided exceptional customer service to students, parents, faculty, and staff seeking assistance with financial aid matters.
- Managed high volume of student in person and phone interactions with proper follow up and resolution.
Financial Aid Supervisor
Universal Technical Institute
12.2009 - 02.2019
- Managed a team of financial aid advisors, providing ongoing training and support to ensure accurate and efficient service.
- Monitored key performance indicators related to financial aid processes and used data-driven insights to inform process improvements or staffing decisions.
- Ensured timely completion of required reports for both internal stakeholders and external regulatory agencies by closely monitoring deadlines and progress towards completion goals.
- Increased financial aid awareness by conducting informative workshops and presentations for students and parents.
- Interviewed, hired and trained employees and implemented internal mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organized workflows.
New Student Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
06.2005 - 12.2009
- Provided guidance on complex financial aid cases, working closely with families to help them understand their options and make informed decisions about financing their education.
- Addressed student concerns promptly by collaborating effectively with other departments such as Admissions or Student Services when necessary.
- Participated in cross functional meetings to improve student show rate and retention rates by identifying at-risk students and implementing targeted intervention strategies.
- Conducted regular check-ins with assigned caseloads to monitor progress and address any potential issues or concerns.
- Contributed positively towards creating an inclusive environment where all students felt welcomed by addressing unique needs and concerns.
- Maintained accurate records of student interactions using designated software programs for tracking purposes.
Education
Interdisciplinary Education
Sam Houston State University
Huntsville, TXSkills
- Financial Aid Management
- Customer Engagement
- Accurate Data Entry
- Microsoft Office Proficiency
- Regulatory Compliance
- Problem Solving
- Compassionate Engagement
- Effective Communication Skills
- Administrative Proficiency
Languages
Spanish
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Senior Financial Aid Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
10.2021 - Current
Financial Aid Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
02.2019 - 10.2021
Financial Aid Supervisor
Universal Technical Institute
12.2009 - 02.2019
New Student Advisor
Universal Technical Institute
06.2005 - 12.2009
Interdisciplinary Education
Sam Houston State University