Financial Aid Awards Specialist (Hybrid) - Office of Education

About the role

• Location
• ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
• Scheduled Hours
• 40

Position Summary

Under the direction of the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Compliance, the Financial Aid Awards Specialist administers financial aid programs for graduate and professional students, ensuring compliance with federal, state, institutional, and Veterans Affairs regulations, including the Yellow Ribbon Program.

Serves as a primary resource for students and program coordinators, providing guidance on financial aid, awarding, and compliance while delivering exceptional customer service. Works collaboratively across the school and campus partners, managing financial aid processes; supports regulatory compliance, develops and maintains policies and procedures, and identifies opportunities to improve operations.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

Communication, Student Advising & Collaboration

• Serves as the primary point of contact for prospective and current students, staff, and program coordinators regarding financial aid policies, eligibility, awarding, and student account questions.
• Provides individualized financial aid counseling and answer complex questions related to federal, state, institutional, and university financial aid programs.
• Develops and delivers presentations, workshops, and training sessions for students and academic program leadership on financial aid processes, policies, and available funding opportunities.
• Collaborates with master's program coordinators and campus partners to support student enrollment, retention, and financial aid planning.
• Communicates complex financial aid regulations and institutional policies in a clear, accurate, and student-centered manner through written, verbal, and electronic communications.
• Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with university departments, external agencies, and students to ensure exceptional customer service and consistent application of financial aid policies.

Student Awarding & Compliance

• Administers federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs from application through awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting.
• Reviews student eligibility and process financial aid awards while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, accrediting, and institutional regulations.
• Maintains student financial aid records and documentation to support regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and data integrity.
• Utilizes ScholarNet, ELM, PowerFAIDS, Workday Student, and related systems to administer financial aid programs, maintain accurate student records, and generate required reports.
• Monitors regulatory changes, recommend policy updates, develop procedures, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and compliance.

Veterans Benefits & Yellow Ribbon

• Administers Veterans Affairs educational benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program, ensuring accurate certification, timely processing, and compliance with federal VA requirements while serving as a resource for military-affiliated students.

Operational Support & Continuous Improvement

• Participates in departmental initiatives, special projects, policy development, and process improvement efforts that enhance operational effectiveness and the student experience.

• The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification.
• They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified.
• Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.

Required Qualifications

Education: Bachelor's degree

Certifications /Professional Licenses

• No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
• Work Experience: Relevant Experience (3 Years)

Skills: Not Applicable

Driver's License: A driver's license is not required for this position.

More About This Job

WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to perform duties in a manner consistent with our core mission and guiding principles.

Preferred Qualifications

Education: Master's degree

Certifications /Professional Licenses

No additional certification/professional licenses unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Work Experience

No additional work experience unless stated elsewhere in the job posting.

Skills

• Data Analysis Reporting, Federal Compliance, Financial Aid Administration, Financial Aid Counseling, Independent Judgment, Interpersonal Management, Oral Communications, Sensitive Information, State Compliance, Written Communication
• Grade
• G10

Salary Range $49,700.00 - $82,100.00 / Annually

The salary range reflects base salaries paid for positions in a given job grade across the University. Individual rates within the range will be determined by factors including one's qualifications and performance, equity with others in the department, market rates for positions within the same grade and department budget.

Questions

For frequently asked questions about the application process, please refer to our External Applicant FAQ.

Accommodation

If you are unable to use our online application system and would like an accommodation, please email or call the dedicated accommodation inquiry number at and leave a voicemail with the nature of your request.

Pre-Employment Screening

All external candidates receiving an offer for employment will be required to submit to pre-employment screening for this position. The screenings will include criminal background check and, as applicable for the position, other background checks, drug screen, an employment and education or licensure/certification verification, physical examination, certain vaccinations and/or governmental registry checks. All offers are contingent upon successful completion of required screening.

Benefits Statement

Personal

• Up to 22 days of vacation, 10 recognized holidays, and sick time.
• Competitive health insurance packages with priority appointments and lower copays/coinsurance.
• Take advantage of our free Metro transit U-Pass for eligible employees.
• WashU provides eligible employees with a defined contribution (403(b)) Retirement Savings Plan, which combines employee contributions and university contributions starting at 7%.

Wellness

• Wellness challenges, annual health screenings, mental health resources, mindfulness programs and courses, employee assistance program (EAP), financial resources, access to dietitians, and more!

Family

• We offer 4 weeks of caregiver leave to bond with your new child. Family care resources are also available for your continued childcare needs. Need adult care? We've got you covered.
• WashU covers the cost of tuition for you and your family, including dependent undergraduate-level college tuition up to 100% at WashU and 40% elsewhere after seven years with us.