Financial Aid Manager; HEA; Financial Aid; Tuition Assistance Program

Financial Aid Manager (HEA) - Financial Aid (Tuition Assistance Program)

Reporting directly to the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Manager will serve as the TAP Certifying Officer. The successful candidate will be responsible for the accurate review, certification, and maintenance of New York State Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) awards in compliance with Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) regulations and institutional policies. The successful candidate will also ensure that students met all eligibility criteria, including academic progress and program pursuit standards, and supports timely disbursement of State financial aid.

Along with the CUNY title overview, the Financial Aid Manager tasks includes:

• Review and certify student eligibility for TAP awards in accordance with HESC guidelines and CUNY policies.

• Evaluate student records for compliance with TAP Academic Pursuit requirements, including: academic progress standards; program pursuit requirements; and cumulative credit and GPA thresholds by payment points.

• Perform TAP award adjustments, decertification, and recalculations based on enrollment changes, academic updates, or eligibility determinations.
• Validate that the information on CUNYfirst Certification System is accurate and has been updated before the information is transferred to HESC via the Electronic Financial Aid Network (EFAN) Agreement.
• Run and analyze CUNYfirst queries to identify students with eligibility issues, missing requirements, or certification discrepancies.
• Develop and maintain reports using the Tableau and other reporting tools to track TAP trends, certification activity, student eligibility and enrollment metrics.
• Use the Service Now Ticket system to manage FACTS operational requests and issues with students’ records on FACTS.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Bursar, and Academic Departments to verify enrollment, coursework applicability, and degree requirements.
• Assist in preparing reports and data analysis related to TAP processing, compliance, and reconciliation.
• Stay current with HESC updates, regulatory changes, and CUNY policies impacting TAP administration and all other State Aid.
• Respond to student inquiries regarding TAP eligibility, award status, and required actions in a clear and student-friendly manner.
• Respond to Faculty, Academic Advisors and Staff via the FACTS email or College email.
• Create literature and present/offer Power Point Presentations to students and staff when needed.
• Work evenings and weekends as needed.

Bachelor’s degree and six years’ related experience required.

• Master's degree.
• Minimum 6 years of financial aid experience, preferably within CUNY or a similar higher education setting.
• Strong knowledge of New York State TAP regulations, HESC systems, and academic progress standards.
• Experience with CUNYfirst (People Soft) and student information systems.
• Attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proven ability to manage high-volume operations with accuracy and accountability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively across departments and manage multiple priorities.

• Experience with TAP certification, roster reconciliation, and, HESC reporting tools.
• Familiarity with federal financial aid regulations (SAP, Title IV) as they intersect with TAP eligibility.
• Strong Excel/data tracking skills for reconciliation and reporting.

Plans, develops and implements financial aid policies and processes in accordance with Federal, State and University standards.

• Manages financial aid activities and represents the office at on-campus and off-campus meetings and forums
• Manages day-to day…