Financial Aid Specialist

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Financial Aid Specialist in the Office of Financial Aid. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified position. The appointment is available immediately.

Vacant Positions Available: 2

Position Numbers: U99879 & U99093

SALARY: $36,000

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until filled.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR:

Katie Starling at kstarling

Office of Human Resources:

Kim Dronett, HR Analyst / Recruitment Liaison at kdronett.

The Financial Aid Specialist reports to the Assistant Director for Loans and works closely with all units within the division of Enrollment Management. Responsible for functions related to loan processing. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Acquire and maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of guidelines and eligibility requirements associated with all federal financial aid programs including the awarding, originating acceptance, and disbursement of federal loan programs, researching Federal Regulations for guidance if necessary.

• Monitor NASFAA News and FSA Partner Connect website for updates such as Electronic Announcements, Dear Colleague Letters, etc.
• Counsel borrowers by phone and through office visits regarding federal loan requirements and their responsibilities while enrolled or out of school.
• Maintain the office in the absence of the Assistant Director.
• Review student need analysis applications, determine eligibility, and award student loans in accordance with federal regulations.
• Originate $17+ million in Federal Direct student loans annually, complying with federal regulations.
• Transmit loan information electronically to the US Department of Education (ED) Common Origination and Disbursement system (COD) in a timely manner.
• Ensure students have completed their entrance counseling and Master Promissory Notes electronically prior to disbursement per federal regs.
• Disburse federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, balancing complex reports with the COD system efficiently and accurately to ensure the accurate posting of loan funds to students’ accounts.
• Certify and process approximately $1 million in alternative loan funds annually. Act as contact for Great Lakes Higher Education’s Scholar Net system. Disburse received roster funds into student accounts.
• Act as liaison between students, private loan lenders and disbursing agent.
• Adjust student loans to maximize available gift aid students are eligible for.
• Train Student Central specialists on loan regulations and policy changes.
• Act as liaison to all Enrollment Management departments and the Business Office regarding guidance for prospective and current students’ financial aid eligibility and requirements as well as account questions.
• Monitor defaulted loans using the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS) and post holds to students’ accounts. Review any documentation provided by borrowers that would clear their account hold.
• Research and resolve NSLDS discrepancies via daily post screening report.
• Assist with researching and resolving origination errors within Banner or COD.
• Test any updates to Banner software system that relate to loan processing.
• Manually award student loans for students enrolled in the summer semester.
• Act as backup to generating and managing the end of the year report.
• Act as backup for the process of electronic file transmission in EDConnect.
• Serve as backup to sending Grace Counseling file to Inceptia, to notify students that do not re-enroll for the following semester or cease to be enrolled at least half time, in accordance with the federal regulations.
• Scan and index documents to Banner…