What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Systems & Operations Specialist position at University of the Cumberlands?
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The Financial Aid Systems & Operations Specialist is responsible for administering, optimizing, and supporting financial aid systems and operational processes. This role ensures accurate and compliant delivery of financial aid through system configuration, data integrity, and cross-functional collaboration. The specialist serves as a key liaison between Financial Aid, Information Technology, and institutional stakeholders to drive efficiency, automation, and continuous improvement.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
- Manage and maintain financial aid systems (e.g., Workday Student), including configuration, testing, and upgrades
- Configure and maintain system setup for federal, state, and institutional aid programs (packaging, need analysis, fund management, disbursement rules)
- Monitor and maintain data integrity across systems, including reconciliation with COD, NSLDS, and other federal/state systems
- Develop, document, and enhance operational processes and workflows to improve efficiency and compliance
- Lead or support system implementations, enhancements, and integrations with campus systems
- Perform quality assurance testing for system patches, updates, and regulatory changes
- Generate, analyze, and validate reports related to awarding, disbursement, and compliance
- Support audits and reporting requirements (e.g., FISAP, IPEDS) by maintaining accurate documentation and system records
- Provide technical support and training to financial aid staff on systems and processes
- Partner with IT and vendors to troubleshoot issues and implement solutions
- Maintain compliance with federal (Title IV), state, and institutional regulations
- Perform other duties as assigned
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience
- 3–5 years of experience in financial aid administration, systems, or operations
- Experience working with financial aid systems (e.g., Banner, PeopleSoft, PowerFAIDS, Workday)
- Strong knowledge of Title IV regulations and the financial aid lifecycle
- Experience with data analysis, reporting, and reconciliation
- Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Workday Student (strongly preferred)
- Knowledge of SQL, reporting tools, or data visualization platforms
- Experience with automation tools or process improvement methodologies
- NASFAA credentials or other financial aid certifications
Key Competencies
- Systems thinking and technical proficiency
- Analytical and data-driven decision-making
- Process improvement and project management
- Effective communication and cross-functional collaboration
- Regulatory compliance and attention to detail
Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a
“life-more-abundant.”