Financial Aid Officer - Financial Aid | Enrollment and Retention

* Responsible for advising in person, via phone, and email for an assigned subset of students, equating to approximately 25 percent of financial aid applicants.
* Each work week, serve as the walk-in counselor for a half-day shift.
* Develop and conduct financial aid presentations for various prospective and current student groups.
* Review verification worksheets, tax documents, and other forms to perform federally-regulated verification.
* Review various documents for student eligibility, including marriage certificates, birth certificates, citizenship documentation, etc.
* Review reports regarding various aspects of student eligibility, including students close to federal loan limits, one semester only students, changes to residency status, and others.
* Exercise sound professional judgment within federal guidelines when processing extenuating circumstance requests, dependency overrides, and other professional judgment requests.
* Revise financial aid when students receive outside funding.
* Process various reports to monitor financial aid eligibility and make appropriate adjustments to financial aid. These include changes to loan eligibility, enrollment changes, etc.
* Determine student eligibility and award FFWS grants both in People Soft and the FFWS data system.
* Determine student eligibility and award the FFWS stipend in People Soft.
* Report grades, credits, and credentials in the FFWS database for both fall and spring terms.
* Assist UW-Whitewater FFWS Office with student mentorship, when possible.
* Process fund requests and conduct reconciliation of all FFWS funds received and disbursed.
* Report financial aid pre-award and post-award data and academic information in the FFWS database system.
* Assist with developing policies and procedures manual to ensure compliance of all federal, state, and institutional programs/aid using the NASFAA Compliance Engine.
* Research federal regulations using U.S. Department of Education websites, handbooks, NASFAA, WASFAA, FSA Knowledge Center, and other Department of Education publications.
* Prepare for and actively participate in staff meetings.
* Participate in professional development opportunities to maintain professional knowledge and share this knowledge with the entire office staff.
* Maintain operational knowledge of financial aid systems, including NSLDS, COD, FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.
* Bachelor’s Degree required.
* Previous professional work experience in higher education student services
* Knowledge of or ability to learn and understand Title IV federal financial aid regulations and related resources.
* Minimum of two years of direct, programmatic experience in student financial aid administration, including knowledge of and experience working with federal and state regulations and aid programs, file review/verification, and Federal Student Aid systems (COD, NSLDS, FSA Partner Connect/FAFSA Partner Portal, etc.).
* Experience with integrated student information systems, preferably People Soft Campus Solutions, and Image Now document imaging system.
* Master’s degree in higher education administration or related field.
* Excellent customer service and verbal/written communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when dealing with students, families, and staff.
* Ability to work independently under moderate supervision and work cooperatively with others as an effective team member.
* Thorough attention to detail.
* Organized and able to exercise time management skills.
* Basic mathematical computation skills.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, Outlook, and PowerPoint.
* Ability to interact respectfully and collaborate with people from diverse socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including students, parents, staff, and faculty.
* Willingness and ability to be an active participant in following applicable safety rules and regulations, including necessary training and drills.
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