Financial Aid Specialist

Job Summary

Supports financial aid application processes and reviews established University and federal policies and regulations to perform application determinations. Recommends process and procedural changes as needed. Coordinates aspects of aid eligibility and resolution of conflicting information.

Coordinates project task deliverables in support of one or more financial aid programs. Acts as subject matter expert within focus area applying knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, as well as the University. Coordinates all processes related to federal aid applications and assessing and certifying student eligibility. Communicates program rules and regulations with internal and external department staff, government agencies, students and families.

Resolves complex financial aid related questions and escalations related to all federal, state, and institutional aid programs administered by the office. Assists with general financial aid questions and processes as needed. Counsels directly with students and families on resolving complex issues related to eligibility requirements and/or federal application corrections. Provides expert level service and maintains knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, as well as the University.

Evaluates applications and administers financial aid eligibility determinations according to program guidelines and regulations.

• Facilitate the daily import and export of sensitive financial aid data between the university and federal government systems. Ensure timely and accurate data exchange to prevent delays in fund availability and maintain compliance with reporting requirements.
• Execute intricate technical processes to accurately upload federal aid documents into an internal software system, while conducting thorough and immediate reviews of rejected data to resolve discrepancies.
• Analyze complex data from federal aid applications. Resolve discrepancies and conflicting data to ensure student eligibility for federal aid programs.
• Evaluate and process requests for dependency status changes due to homelessness, legal guardianship, foster care, ward of the court, orphan, emancipation, veteran status, or unusual circumstances. Work with a committee to determine eligibility and assist with modifications to the student’s financial aid application and/or award based on professional determination, policies, and/or guidelines.
• Regularly review and update institutional practices to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
• Manage the Exit Counseling process for federal aid by identifying relevant student populations and issuing necessary notifications. Ensure compliance by notifying student borrowers within 30 days of their withdrawal or graduation to prevent potential state or federal audit findings due to delayed notifications.
• Review citizenship documentation and perform secondary confirmation on federal sites to verify eligibility for compliance with federal financial aid regulations.
• Assess students’ eligibility for financial aid based on the Ability to Benefit (ATB) criteria when high school information is not provided on a financial aid application.
• Process the cancellation of federal aid for students who withdraw their admission. Ensure accurate adjustments to financial aid records keeping with compliance.
• Review students’ Unusual Enrollment History (UEH) to identify patterns of enrollment and withdrawal that may affect federal aid eligibility. Analyze academic and financial aid records for compliance with federal regulations, determine eligibility, and communicate findings and necessary actions, including potential appeals, to students.
• Review reprocessed financial aid applications following updates from the Department of Education to ensure continued student eligibility and compliance with federal regulations. Withhold future aid until any eligibility issues are resolved with the student.
• Conduct quality assurance reviews of financial aid documents to ensure accuracy and compliance, preventing costly audit findings due to errors and non-compliance with federal retention policies.
• Conduct…