Tina Bacon
Tiverton,RI
Summary
Accomplished financial aid professional with a proven track record at Roger Williams University, enhancing student satisfaction and streamlining aid processes. Expert in loan processing and adaptive team collaborater. I significantly improved service delivery through strategic planning and effective problem-solving. Skilled in both federal student aid policies and fostering collaboration, my leadership drove notable advancements in financial aid accessibility and efficiency.
Overview
13
13
years of professional experience
Work History
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Roger Williams University
03.2017 - Current
- Analyzed financial aid data to identify trends and areas for improvement in service delivery and resource allocation.
- Provided expert guidance to students and families on available funding options, helping them make informed decisions about their education.
- Evaluated complex cases involving special circumstances and appeals, making fair determinations based on individual situations.
- Contributed insights from student needs assessments into long-term strategic planning efforts focused on improving access to financial aid opportunities.
- Improved student satisfaction with financial aid services by providing clear communication and timely assistance.
- Collaborated with other departments to create a seamless enrollment process for students seeking financial assistance.
- Implemented successful outreach programs, raising awareness of financial aid opportunities among prospective students.
- Strengthened relationships with external partners such as lenders, scholarship organizations, and community groups to maximize resources available to students.
- Established a culture of continuous improvement within the Financial Aid office, promoting a proactive approach to problem-solving and process enhancement.
- Streamlined financial aid processes by implementing efficient workflow systems and reducing processing time.
- Promoted professional development within the Financial Aid Office by attending industry conferences and sharing best practices with colleagues.
- Developed comprehensive training materials for new staff members, increasing overall departmental efficiency.
- Supervised the administration of federal, state, and institutional funds according to regulations and guidelines.
- Conducted regular audits of awarded funds distribution processes to ensure proper accounting practices were being followed.
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
- Communicated with prospective students to illustrate available financial aid opportunities.
- Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.
- Processed unique financial aid profiles for undergrad and post-grad applications.
Financial Aid Counselor
Roger Williams University
12.2015 - 03.2017
- Reviewed initial financial aid applications for accuracy and compliance with reporting standards.
- 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.
- Reviewed financial aid appeals, issuing secondary and final judgments on award packages.
- Processed unique financial aid profiles for undergrad applications.
- Conducted regular audits of student accounts to ensure accuracy and proper allocation of funds, preventing potential discrepancies or issues down the line.
- Enhanced communication between the financial aid office and other departments, facilitating seamless coordination of funds disbursement.
- Reduced processing time for financial aid applications through efficient organization and prioritization of tasks.
- Provided one-on-one counseling sessions for students facing financial difficulties, identifying tailored solutions and offering support during challenging times.
- Monitored compliance with federal regulations regarding disbursal of funds, safeguarding institutional eligibility for future aid programs.
- Increased student satisfaction with financial aid services by addressing concerns promptly and providing clear guidance on procedures.
- Managed a caseload of students throughout their academic journey, ensuring timely completion of all required paperwork related to financial assistance.
- Served as a liaison between students and external agencies such as loan providers or scholarship sponsors, simplifying complex transactions for all parties involved.
- Facilitated workshops aimed at educating students about available financial aid options, increasing awareness of potential resources.
- Assisted students in identifying appropriate funding sources, ensuring access to necessary resources for continued education.
- Maintained up-to-date knowledge on relevant laws, regulations, and policies surrounding higher education finance in order to provide accurate advice to students.
- Counseled students and parents about financial aid options and program details.
Financial Aid Assistant
Roger Williams University
09.2015 - 12.2015
- Contacted families and students about late payments and account statements.
- Performed wide-ranging administrative, financial and service-related functions.
- Double checked payments and documentation of students applying for loans.
- Assisted students with completing complex financial aid forms, ensuring timely submission and accurate data entry.
- Supported the development of targeted financial aid outreach programs, leading to increased awareness among potential applicants.
- Assisted students and families in filling out financial aid applications.
- Guided students through financial aid processes, by completing necessary forms and updating account records.
- Increased student satisfaction by providing clear and concise information on available financial aid options.
- Input data into spreadsheets and databases.
- Promptly received and forwarded incoming communications, such as phone calls, emails, and letters, to appropriate staff.
- Answered and managed incoming and outgoing calls while recording accurate messages for distribution to office staff.
- Kept office supplies well organized and sufficiently stocked, placing orders promptly to replenish materials before depleted.
- Processed incoming and outgoing mail and packages according to established procedures.
Child Care Billing Administrator
YMCA Of Greater Providence
05.2011 - 09.2015
- Maintained accurate records of children's' financial transactions, ensuring data integrity within the company's database.
- Trained new hires in company-specific billing procedures, contributing to their successful integration into the team.
- Collaborated with other departments to address discrepancies in client accounts, promoting positive interdepartmental relationships.
- Maintained strict confidentiality of client financial information, adhering to relevant data protection laws and company policies.
- Reduced processing time for invoice generation by automating manual tasks using advanced spreadsheet functions.
- Increased billing accuracy by diligently reviewing and reconciling invoices and payment records.
- Ensured timely payments by closely monitoring account balances and following up on overdue invoices.
- Kept abreast of industry regulations to maintain compliance in all aspects of the billing process.
- Continuously sought opportunities for process improvements, staying informed on industry best practices and incorporating them into daily operations.
- Organized digital filing systems for efficient retrieval of client documentation during internal or external audits as necessary.
- Worked with multiple departments to check proper billing information.
- Reconciled accounts, managed audits and updated financial records with remarkable accuracy.
- Performed regular audits of students' accounts, identifying potential errors and rectifying them proactively before impacting customer relations.
- Prepared comprehensive financial reports for management review, highlighting trends and areas for improvement in the billing process.
- Handled day-to-day accounting processes to drive financial accuracy.
- Recorded deposits, reconciled monthly bank accounts and tracked expenses.
- Maintained account accuracy by reviewing and reconciling checks monthly.
- Effectively communicated with families about payment needs and kept updated, detailed and accurate ledgers.
- Recruited, interviewed and hired employees and implemented mentoring program to promote positive feedback and engagement.
- Accomplished multiple tasks within established timeframes.
- Enhanced customer satisfaction by resolving disputes promptly, maintaining open lines of communication, and ensuring high-quality service delivery.
- Resolved staff member conflicts, actively listening to concerns and finding appropriate middle ground.
- Established team priorities, maintained schedules and monitored performance.
- Applied strong leadership talents and problem-solving skills to maintain team efficiency and organize workflows.
Education
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Minor in Business Administration
Bryant University
Smithfield, RI05.2010
Skills
- Higher Education Knowledge
- Team Management
- Financial Counseling
- Financial aid expertise
- Loan Processing
- Student Guidance
- Federal Student Aid policies
- Teamwork and Collaboration
- Problem-Solving
- Time Management
- Attention to Detail
- Organizational Skills
Timeline
Assistant Director of Financial Aid
Roger Williams University
03.2017 - Current
Financial Aid Counselor
Roger Williams University
12.2015 - 03.2017
Financial Aid Assistant
Roger Williams University
09.2015 - 12.2015
Child Care Billing Administrator
YMCA Of Greater Providence
05.2011 - 09.2015
Bachelor of Arts - Sociology, Minor in Business Administration
Bryant University
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