Financial Aid Systems Specialist

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Working Title:

Financial Aid Systems Specialist

Institution:

St. Cloud State University

Classification Title:

Management Analyst 2

Bargaining Unit / Union:

214: Minnesota Association of Professional Employees

City:

St. Cloud

FLSA:

Non Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Classified - Unlimited

Salary Range:

$25.29 - $36.71

Job Description

The purpose of the Financial Aid Systems Specialist position is to ensure compliance and provide technical support for the Financial Aid Office, particularly in relation to Title IV Financial Aid policies and procedures. Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Systems Specialist provides compliance and system support for the Financial Aid Office. This position will demonstrate a strong knowledge and understanding of Title IV Financial Aid policies and procedures. Facilitates backend systems management within Minnesota State Integrated Statewide Records System for the Financial Aid department. Serves as a liaison between the Financial Aid Department and Information Technology team and functional owner for the purpose of requirements validation, issue resolution and coordination of project activities. Focuses on a variety of technical work and analysis as required for the development of specific regulatory requirements in the dissemination of Title IV funding, and State funding.

The Financial Aid Systems Specialist is also responsible for analyzing and interpreting federal financial aid regulations regarding all Title IV programs as well as coordinate training and development activities for the Financial Aid Office pertaining to student financial aid regulations. The incumbent will validate compliance in all areas of the Title IV Program and for all programs on a regular basis.

PRINCIPLE RESPONSIBILITIES AND RESULTS

1. Report Development and Data Analysis: Facilitates backend systems management within Minnesota State Integrated Statewide Records System for the Financial Aid Office. Assist in the analyzing, planning, and implementation of systems related projects e.g., maintenance of process set-up, criteria tables, system security maintenance; recommend technology and implementation adjustments for reporting needs and resources to follow current Title IV Regulations and Best Practices. Create, design, and maintain a variety of reports that meet the needs of the office, ensuring accuracy and clarity in data presentation. Write and optimize SQL queries to extract, manipulate, and analyze data from various databases, ensuring efficiency and effectiveness in data retrieval. Analyze data trends and patterns to provide actionable insights and recommendations to management and other departments. Maintain clear documentation of report specifications, query logic, and data sources to ensure transparency and facilitate future modifications. Conduct thorough testing and validation of reports and queries to ensure data integrity and accuracy before distribution. Provide training and support to users in understanding and utilizing reports and queries effectively. Manage the aid applied report on a daily basis.

Priority:  Essential  Percent of Time: 35%     

2. Data Reporting: Process all awarding requests through the batch scripting process to ensure awards are posted to student accounts in a timely and accurate manner. Ensure timely and accurate transmittal of data to the MN Office of Higher Education and the Department of Education, including but not limited to: disbursing aid to student accounts, review and updating of the aid applied report, set up of the Pell and Direct Loan origination processes, ISIR loading and processing, Gainful Employment and Financial Value Transparency reporting, NSLDS monitoring, and MNAid reporting.

 Priority:  Essential  Percent of Time:  25%

3. Regulatory Compliance: Update/maintain policy & procedure manual and workflow procedures to maintain compliance with federal and state financial aid requirements. Develop, implement, and maintain an effective compliance program to detect, prevent, and resolve issues that fail to meet federal and state financial aid regulations. Monitor federal and state financial aid regulatory environments and communicate proposed changes to the Director of Financial Aid. Develop procedures and internal controls to ensure that financial aid is properly awarded to the appropriate students. Maintains master calendar of all Federal, State, and agency reporting dates and ensures compliance. Keeps current and competent on National Student Loan Data System (NS