Financial Aid Specialist

The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for advising students, parents, faculty, and staff in all aspects of financial aid while managing the front office. This position also performs a variety of administrative tasks to support the efficient daily operations of the Office of Financial Assistance.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Responds to inquiries in person, by email and by phone from students regarding financial aid and scholarship information and determines the student's individual need; provides appropriate forms, schedules appointments with counselors and/or Director, refers to appropriate departments; Manages office email and triages student inquiries
• Communicates a variety of financial aid and enrollment related information to students and parents; Explains aid programs, application procedures and eligibility criteria; Responds to questions regarding billing, financial aid, payment deadlines, and tuition rates
• Counsels and uses professional judgement in deciding what course of action to take to solve critical issues regarding student needs.
• Verifies accuracy of documents submitted including consistency of data from federal tax returns, financial aid transcripts, verification documents, and student information; performs initial analysis to identify discrepancies in data and determine action for resolution; maintains log of incomplete verification and special condition documents and follows up as needed with students
• Manages scanning and indexing of documents in current imaging system (BDM-Xtender); maintains proper record retention policy and documentation of financial aid records storage; coordinates the annual disposal of records.
• Records and maintains metrics regarding office visits, calls and appointments utilizing metric reporting software. (Navigate, Cisco reporting, etc.)
• Performs clerical duties and supports office by answering phones, greeting visitors, and responds to questions/needs, while ensuring customers are guided to the right resources timely, processes mail collection and distribution including mailing of award letters, tracking letters, or other mailouts, handles ordering of office supplies, stationary, and submitting facility work orders.
• Assists in hiring, guidance and supervision of student workers to include updating student worker job descriptions, conducting interviews and hires, timesheet approvals, office training and managing daily work planning.
• Assists in updating of financial aid forms and maintains an adequate supply of office forms.
• Supports enrollment management efforts and assists at recruitment and/or retention events.
• Attends training workshops and conferences in order to learn and stay current on financial aid regulations and processing.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• High School Diploma/GED, 2 years of college level coursework or Associates Degree preferred
• 2 years of financial aid or similar work experience in higher education preferred
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, Argos software, Banner Document Management System (BDMS) or similar preferred
• Must clear and maintain a favorable background investigation and clearance
• Must have valid driver's license, motor vehicle liability insurance and personal injury insurance; or have a self-reliant source of transportation to conduct business on a daily basis
• Must be able to work extended hours or weekends during peak times and for special programs, projects, or events.
• Must have the ability to demonstrate strong proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook); experience with virtual meeting platforms such as zoom, Teams or similar;
• Must have a high attention to detail and be able to organize workflow, coordinate activities, balance simultaneous projects without loss of efficiency in a multi-tasked environment, and manage multiple priorities to meet deadlines.
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills; strong public relations and customer service skills with an ability to implement diplomacy and discretion at all times; ability to work effectively with communities across the university.
• Bilingual Preferred (English/Spanish with the ability to understand and to make one's self understood to Spanish speaking individuals)
• Ability to comply with all federal, state and private regulations in awarding