Student Financial Services Specialist

The Company

At Unity, sustainability isn’t a buzzword. It’s the foundation of our entire approach and has been for more than 50 years.

We apply sustainability principles to everything we do, from our properties around the State of Maine, to our online degrees offered to students everywhere, to our enrichment experiences and entrepreneurial endeavors at locations from northern Maine to Arizona to Brazil.

Engage with Unity College and you’ll start to ask tough questions, challenge the status quo, and envision new possibilities. If taking the lead in creating a more sustainable future sounds like the future you want, we can make it happen.

The Position 

The Student Financial Services Specialist (SFSS) supports the Director of Distance Education Financial Aid through the administration and dissemination of Student Financial Services policies and procedures for Unity College students. This is a generalist position that is cross trained to serve all Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) but will be dedicated to Distance Education. This position is responsible for working directly with Unity College students to support them in managing their financial needs and requirements. The SFSS will manage and use student financial aid programs, financial aid information systems, billing software as well as report and retrieve information for program management and reports. Work will involve using Power-Faids Financial Aid Management System, CAMS Student Billing Components and CashNet.

• Monitor program compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies through the use of system and quality controls.  
• Conduct student aid reviews including: needs analysis, budgeting, billing, packaging, verification, loan processing, certification, and tracking.
• Counsel students individually or in groups on financial aid and student account matters such as application procedures, borrowing, employment, outside aid, other funding, payment plans and alternative funding.
• Communicate with parents and/or students regarding the student billing process and payment options.
• Coordinate the mailing of lender notifications-entrance and exit counseling, bills, and award letters.
• Create, revise, and update publications, standardized letters, manuals, and forms used in student aid and student billing administration.
• Review and maintain payment plans, and student files.
• Perform soft collect outreach to students to assist with completing paperwork and payment options.
• Coordinate the integration of student financial aid and billing processes for all SEBUs.  
• Perform outreach activities as assigned by the Director of Distance Education Financial Aid. 
• Attend required trainings to learn and maintain required skills to perform all duties for SFSS across all SEBUs.
• Assist in supervision of work study students.  Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the institution’s policies and applicable laws.  
• Responsible for processing 1098-T’s.
• Review and process refunds to be submitted to the Business Office for payment.
• Assist students with identifying options for payment plans and setting the students up in CashNet, etc.
• Manage CashNet.
• Perform reconciliation, reporting, consolidation and liquidation of Perkins loans.
• Manage third party billing i.e.   Veterans’ Affairs, Outside Scholarships, etc.
• Place billing holds on student accounts for non-payment.
• Assists students with student insurance waiver process and provides list to insurer.

Please see attached job description for full list of roles and responsibilities.

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of 5-7 years job related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.  
• Basic knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and a demonstrated commitment to student aid.
• Basic knowledge of accounting and billing services.
• Must be capable of independent judgement, highly motivated with strong organizational skills.
• Must be flexible with good interpersonal skills.
• Able to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals.  
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff, managers, and the general public.
• Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.  Able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Extensive knowledge of computerized data base systems, word processing and spreadsheets.

The Location 

Unity College has its Hybrid Learning campus in Unity, Maine. This position will be located at 49 Farm View Rd. New Gloucester, ME. 

Benefits

Unity College offers a generous benefits package which includes medical, dental, vision, short term disability, long term disability, life insurance, PTO, and a company match on our 403b retirement plan. Waiting periods will apply.

To Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should click on the “Apply Now” button and submit a resume and cover letter.

At Unity College, we don’t just accept difference — we celebrate it, we support it, and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our students, and our community. Unity College is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.