Financial Aid Specialist

The Financial Aid Specialist supports students throughout the financial aid process, from FAFSA completion through disbursement. The role assists with financial aid applications, eligibility requirements, documentation, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. It also involves maintaining accurate student records, coordinating disbursements and reconciliations with the Finance Department, resolving discrepancies, and providing timely student support.

• Respond to student financial aid inquiries by email, phone, and in person.
• Guide students through FAFSA completion, eligibility requirements, documentation, entrance counseling, and Master Promissory Note (MPN) requirements.
• Follow up on missing documentation and resolve issues that could delay financial aid processing or disbursement.
• Review financial aid files for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with financial aid applications, verification, and related processing requirements.
• Maintain accurate student financial aid records and information.
• Prepare financial aid reports, correspondence, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with Finance on disbursements, student account balances, refunds, credit balances, and reconciliations.
• Investigate discrepancies between financial aid records and student accounts.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, regulatory reporting, and other departmental projects.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Admissions, Student Services, and other departments to meet student needs and institutional deadlines.
• Stay current on financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Protect confidential student and financial information.

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, education, accounting, or a related field.
• At least 1 year of experience in financial aid administration, including supporting Title IV programs.
• Working knowledge of Federal Student Aid programs and regulations, including FAFSA, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, verification, entrance counseling, and MPNs.
• Familiarity with Federal Student Aid systems, such as COD, NSLDS, and Student Aid.gov.
• Experience using a student information or financial aid management system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a student-service orientation.
• Excellent accuracy, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet regulatory deadlines.

• Experience with Populi.
• Experience coordinating financial aid disbursements, refunds, credit balances, and reconciliations with Finance or Student Accounts.
• Experience supporting financial aid audits, compliance reviews, or regulatory reporting.