Kirsten Day

Experience

• 

  Benedictine University

  Sept 2013 - May 2014

  Evaluation and Testing Specialist

  • Managed the online placement testing system including entering data in PeopleSoft, troubleshooting issues, and communicating information to students and parents• Attended on-campus events to facilitate testing and assist students in the enrollment cycle• Ran queries and provided data for evaluation• Evaluated AP and CLEP scores as well as transcripts• Updated the New Student Advising Center web pages

• 

  Aurora University

  May 2014 - now

  • Collaborate with the Financial Aid management team determining federal, state, institutional, and private aid eligibility, reconciliation, verification, and awarding • Manage the core financial aid systems, including the Ellucian Colleague ERP and the OnBase document storage system• Coordinate the annual system setups and implement automation• Apply project management skills to coordinate new system implementations, repackaging projects, and the annual financial aid audit• Calculate financial aid statistics to track trend analysis and make recommendations toward strategic goals• Develop a communication plan based on trends of incomplete financial aid files• Calculate R2T4 award amounts and process updates, including the financial aid portion of roster verification• Process third-party payments and outside scholarship awards• Work with Student Accounts staff on interrelated processes• Evaluate and maintain the Financial Aid Policy and Procedures Handbook• Manage financial aid counselors who process aid for traditional undergraduate students• Process financial aid including calculating aid eligibility, completing verification, and processing loans• Provide individual financial aid counseling to students and parents Show less • Researched and implemented changes in the Ellucian Colleague ERP to align with packaging philosophies and procedural updates• Created unity forms, featuring various calculations and custom actions, and workflows in the OnBase document storage system • Acted as the technical liaison between Financial Aid and IT• Compiled financial aid statistics for yearly events and specific student groups• Utilized project management skills to develop timelines and plans for overall office goals, distribute tasks for projects, and review completion of activities• Oversaw the Illinois MAP Grant funds, an $11 million program, including requesting funds through the state website and performing reconciliation• Updated the Financial Aid Policies and Procedures Handbook with new processes and government regulations• Prepared for the annual financial aid audit• Presented trainings on various financial aid topics and systems across university departments• Designed and implemented communication plans to encourage students to submit paperwork• Managed operations staff and day-to-day operations of the department Show less • Coordinated the annual system setup and managed updates• Developed and maintained the Financial Aid Office Policies and Procedures Handbook• Implemented more effective and efficient processes and communications• Worked closely with the admission staff coordinating workflows and communications• Managed student workers in day-to-day tasks, scheduling, and hiring• Processed financial aid including calculating aid eligibility, completing verification, and processing loans• Provided individual financial aid counseling to students and parents Show less • Calculated financial aid eligibility for freshmen, transfer students, adult completion students, and graduates• Guided students and parents through the financial aid cycle• Managed student files for freshman and transfer orientation events• Developed and implemented process improvements to increase efficiency• Trained new staff members on financial aid packaging procedures• Determined award recipients as a member of scholarship committees• Created and proofread office handouts and materials Show less

  • Director of Financial Aid and Operations

    Feb 2023 - now

  • Associate Director of Financial Aid

    Apr 2021 - Jan 2023

  • Assistant Director of Financial Aid

    Feb 2018 - Apr 2021

  • Financial Aid Counselor

    May 2014 - Jan 2018