Sylvia Cadena
Horizon,Texas
Summary
Talented administrative and customer service professional knowledgeable about financial aid. Excellent problem-solving, relationship-building and communication skills. Offering 5 years of related experience. Compassionate in assisting students reach full potential through education. Proficient Financial Aid Specialist 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. Hardworking and passionate job seeker with strong organizational skills eager to secure Lead Advisor position. Detail-oriented team player with strong organizational skills.
Overview
21
21
years of professional experience
Work History
Financial Aid Specialist-Return of Title IV
El Paso Community College
03.2018 - Current
- Responsible for calculating and processing over 1,000 students every semester due to withdrawal or unsuccessful completion.
- Maintained various reports on One Drive to keep track of students.
- Performed Return of Title IV calculation on Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) database.
- Referenced Federal Student Aid Handbook to comply with Federal regulations.
- Communicates with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Assist in reviewing and finalizing over 200 financial aid appeals.
- Assist in reviewing and finalizing over 100 initial and renewal degree evaluations.
- Assist in reviewing and finalizing over 100 Academic Plans.
- Assist with Satisfactory Academic Progress reports to process.
- Represents financial aid office at group meetings with high school students and parents.
- Complies with state and federal financial aid guidelines and regulations.
- Develops and maintains relationships with colleagues from other departments.
Financial Aid Specialist - (Part Time)
El Paso Community College
09.2016 - 03.2018
- Performed wide-ranging clerical related functions.
- Input data into spreadsheets and databases.
- Reviewed files, records and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
- Utilized office software to record and track student information.
- Assisted with onboarding of work-study employees.
- Supported staff on special assignments.
- Informed and supported colleagues through consistent communication and administrative support duties.
Work Study Clerk
El Paso Community College
11.2015 - 09.2016
- Prepared letters to students for Return of Title IV debt.
- Obtained information from Banner database.
- Verified various reports.
- Inputted data on Microsoft Excel and Access databases.
- Scanned student records into database.
- Compiled over 200 letters of correspondence mail.
- Calculated credit hours for degree plans.
- Maintained files.
- Made outgoing calls to students.
- Assisted with administrative support by managing incoming calls, coordinating files, and sorting mail.
- Developed and maintained organized filing system for student records and documents.
- Created and maintained databases to store student information.
- Completed research, compiled data, and assisted in timely reporting.
- Input data into spreadsheets and databases.
- Reviewed files, records and other documents to obtain information to respond to requests.
Lead Family Housing Clerk, Dorm Assignment Clerk
Vinnell, Brown, & Root Corporation
02.2009 - 08.2010
- Responsible for assigning housing to over 600 incoming Military Families, Government Service Civilians, and Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) Teachers.
- Tracked all house assignments in Automated Civil Engineering System (ACES) Program.
- Prepared reports for incoming and outgoing military families.
- Adhered to Department of Defense housing regulations.
- Provided information to newcomers via phone or email.
- Assisted Housing Manager with reassignment of housing for renovation project.
- Coordinated training to peer to assist with family assignments.
- Assisted newcomers with information, maps, and directions around base.
- Oversaw housing plans for clients to promote timely transition to permanent housing.
- Assigned and activated card keys for dorm rooms to single Military Active Duty.
Audit Coordinator
Mountain States Insurance
01.2006 - 10.2008
- Supported Insurance audits with assistance and coordination.
- Coordinated and managed schedules for six auditors.
- Analyzed data across large sets against designed controls and processes.
- Organized and generated over 400 liability bills from auditors.
- Resolved all customer issues pertaining to auditing billing.
Front Desk Receptionist
Mountain States Insurance
06.2003 - 01.2006
- Greeted guests at front desk and engaged in pleasant conversations while managing check-in process.
- Maintained organized and clean front office area to create professional and welcoming environment for visitors and employees.
- Sorted and delivered mail and packages upon arrival to correct staff members and departments.
- Confirmed appointments, communicated with clients, and updated client records.
- Organized, maintained and updated information in computer databases.
- Produced over 200 Worker's Compensation checks monthly.
- Handled assignments independently with good judgement and critical thinking skills.
- Assisted internal staff with clerical and administrative needs to maximize efficiency and team productivity.
- Monitored and screened visitors to verify accessibility to inter-office personnel.
- Resolved customer issues quickly and notified supervisor immediately when problems escalated.
- Answered multi-line phone system and transferred callers to appropriate staff member.
- Maintained confidentiality of sensitive data to protect customer and business information.
- Maintained files and records by implementing effective filing systems that boosted efficiency and organization.
Education
Associate of Arts Business - Accounting
El Paso Community College
El Paso, TX08.2016
Accounting -
University of Maryland University College
Aviano AFB, Italy05.2015
Skills
- Critical thinking
- Ethical conduct
- Regulatory compliance
- Adaptability
- Training and development
- Confidentiality
- Multitasking
- Time management
- Goal setting
- Attention to detail
- Regulatory Understanding
- Student Support
- Clerical Skills
- Active Listening and Learning
- Customer Service-Focused
Key Qualifications
- Excels in human relations
- Manages paperwork efficiently and effectively
- Performs with a high degree of accuracy
- Meets responsibilities promptly
- Knowledge of computer software; Microsoft Office, EPCC Banner System, Federal Student Aid Systems
- Devotes appropriate attention to all responsibilities
- Respects confidential information
- Displays an organized approach to the job
- Valuable in providing back-up support for other jobs
- Team player
- Cheerful and follows businesslike procedures to accomplish objectives
Timeline
Financial Aid Specialist-Return of Title IV
El Paso Community College
03.2018 - Current
Financial Aid Specialist - (Part Time)
El Paso Community College
09.2016 - 03.2018
Work Study Clerk
El Paso Community College
11.2015 - 09.2016
Lead Family Housing Clerk, Dorm Assignment Clerk
Vinnell, Brown, & Root Corporation
02.2009 - 08.2010
Audit Coordinator
Mountain States Insurance
01.2006 - 10.2008
Front Desk Receptionist
Mountain States Insurance
06.2003 - 01.2006
Associate of Arts Business - Accounting
El Paso Community College
Accounting -
University of Maryland University College
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