Financial Aid Specialist

PRIMARY PURPOSE:

The primary function of the financial aid specialist is to guide students through the financial aid application process in order to determine financial need and eligibility for Federal, State, and Institutional awards and loans, while ensuring compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements. The Financial Aid Specialist has the high/sole level of responsibility for processing data for the awarding and disbursing of federal, state and institutional financial aid. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Process all verifications, change in circumstances and professional judgment decisions for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. Collect documentation to correct student’s data entered on the FAFSA and resolve issues relating to demographic, tax and c-code information.
• Award funds as appropriate with the Enrollment department. Assist with the management of institutional scholarships.
• Responsible for troubleshooting loan and award errors and edits to resolve these issues.
• Process VA benefits, certify student enrollment to the VA, monitor and reconcile payments that come in. Maintain complete and accurate records on student files.
• Assist with internal audits of records to ensure completeness and accuracy of records and compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements in preparation for annual audits by third-party auditors.
• Counsel current and prospective students and parents as to availability of various forms of aid.
• Represent the Financial Aid Office on various institutional and professional organizations and committees. Establish and maintain internal business contact with other academic and administrative departments; work cohesively with the Enrollment department to ensure clarity and accuracy of available awards.
• Assist the Director of Financial Aid in the development and administration of comprehensive financial aid programs. Assist in annual audits and program reviews by anticipating, identifying and minimizing risk factors in the administration of financial aid. Assist with developing and implementing policy and procedures.

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s Degree required

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 5 years experience in Financial Aid with accounting, tax preparation and technical skills, preferred

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Strong knowledge base of Federal and State Financial Aid Regulations, loan processing and verification. Experienced in financial aid software: Power FAIDS, Ed Connect, COD, and FAFSA. Experienced in Windows and Windows-based software applications.

PHYSICAL SKILLS AND ABILITIES: Requires ordinary ambulatory skills sufficient to visit other locations; the ability to stand, walk and manipulate (lift, carry, move) light to medium weights of 10 - 20 pounds. Requires good hand-eye coordination, arm, hand and finger dexterity, including ability to grasp, type and perform data entry, visual acuity to use a keyboard, operate equipment and read technical information, ability to hear in order to answer telephones and to communicate verbally, and the ability to sit for extended periods of time. 

WORKING CONDITIONS: Work is performed indoors with minimal safety hazards, and requires siting, standing, and movement work.