Banner, Colleague, Campus Vue, Microsoft Suite, Google Docs
NELIDA CAPELLAN
Higher Education Enrollment Management And Financial Aid
Nyack,NY
Summary
Compassionate Financial Aid Officer with more than 15 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 and working in collaboration with Admissions and other college offices to enhance student success.
Overview
16
16
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Advisor
Rockland Community College
3 2022 - 10.2023
- Worked closely with Admissions Office in assisting prospective, and newly admitted students with their financial concerns. Additionally, serves as the liaison between students, and EOP office as well as Trio program.
- Work with Academics to review degree audits to ensure financial aid eligibility
- Improved the accuracy of financial aid award packages by regularly auditing student accounts for discrepancies.
- Represent FA office during FAFSA information sessions, and freshman orientations.
- Worked closely with students to manage FAFSA verifications, budget and cost of attendance adjustment requests, and professional judgments, and reviews financial aid documents for new and continuing students
- Ensures all necessary follow-up actions are taken and guides students through the required next steps. Administer financial aid awards to students, including institutional, federal, and other forms of financial assistance.
- Reviewer for instituional scholarship program, review student applications and recommend scholarship recipients based off of specific grant/scholarship criteria
Financial Aid Advisor
Pace University
03.2020 - 02.2022
- Serve as Pleasantville campus financial aid advisor
- Meet with parents and students via zoom and in person to discuss financial aid eligibility and award letters
- Work closely with student accounts to complete paperwork necessary to post payments from New York State ACCESS VR program
- Work with parents to apply for parent loans and to work out alternative methods of payment when necessary.
Veterans Manager/Loan Default Manager
The College of Westchester
05.2007 - 04.2020
- Serve as the point of contact for all Veteran Students
- Assist students with applications for federal and New York State aid as well as the GI BILL
- Meet with families to discuss financial aid eligibility and financing options
- Created Vet to Vet mentor group for student support
- Worked closely with Academics as part of the retention team to identify students at high risk
- Serve as Loan Default Manager for the college and reduced loan default by 7 percent during my first two years in the role
- Provide loan counseling to freshman students and their families
- Perform classroom presentations for all incoming freshman students
- Serve as college veterans certifying official
- Collect and maintain all proper documentation for VA audit
- Work closely with IEP committee to develop and implement programs to promote financial literacy college wide
- Update all catalog information as it relates to Veterans Benefits
- Work closely with Bursar and Business Operations Manager to reconcile all electronic payments from the VA
- Provide one on one financial aid counseling with students and their families
- Assist other department such as Admissions and Academics as well as consult with faculty members when necessary
- Provide students with information and support and appropriate follow up
- Conduct freshman financial literacy counseling
- Work with students in their freshman year to educate them on student loan debt
- Serve as a mentor for veteran students by providing guidance and referrals to supportive services when needed.
Education
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Iona College
New Rochelle, NY 05.2007 - 05.2020
Skills
Advising and Counseling
Proficiency in all Chapters of GI BILL
Comfortable with group presentations
Federal and State Aid procedures
Comprehension of Microsoft Office Suite, VA Once and basic internet applications
Computer Skills: Banner, Colleague, CampusVue
Languages: Spanish
Software
Timeline
Financial Aid Advisor
Pace University
03.2020 - 02.2022
Veterans Manager/Loan Default Manager
The College of Westchester
05.2007 - 04.2020
Bachelor of Science - Social Work
Iona College
05.2007 - 05.2020
Financial Aid Advisor
Rockland Community College
3 2022 - 10.2023