Financial Aid Specialist I

ESSENTIAL DUTIES and RESPONSIBILITIES

Include, but are not limited to, the following

• Reviews and verifies information on undergraduate student applications for completeness, accuracy and eligibility for financial aid.
• Audits required financial aid documents including Master Promissory notes, Entrance Counseling, etc. to confirm compliance with local, state and federal regulations and policies.
• Accurately inputs data, information, changes, corrections and new awards into database(s).
• Reviews/evaluates student appeals of financial aid award determinations and intercedes for students with participating departments.
• Processes disbursements for financial aid funds accurately and efficiently.
• Maintains current knowledge of state grants and scholarships, federal programs, veterans' programs, scholarships and federal, state and University regulations related to financial aid.
• Participates in ongoing trainings to develop and maintain multiple skill sets.
• Maintains confidentiality of students' and/or parents/guardians' personal, private and financial information.
• Will need to be able to understand all loan types for movement to different classification.
• May perform one or more of the following duties: reviewing accuracy of documents, determining eligibility and packaging federal funds, calculating funds earned and return of funds, and/or reconciliation of large accounts.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Ability to work collaboratively and professionally within a team environment, and to work independently when necessary; establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
• Accurate, thorough and very detail oriented.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, high volume environment meeting quality and quantity requirements within timelines.
• Proficient with computer software and systems including MS Office Suite and willingness to perform data input.
• Must become familiar with University, state and federal financial aid regulations and procedures.
• Sound judgment and critical thinking skills.
• Must be able to respond to supervision, guidance and direction in a positive, receptive manner.
• Previous knowledge of financial aid policies and procedures is helpful.
• Good organizational ability and strategy.
• Ability to deal professionally and appropriately with diverse populations.

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution is preferred.
• One year related work experience.
• Work experience with CampusVue or other financial aid software systems/database(s) is preferred.
• Must be willing to work over time when needed.
• Must be able to pass pre-employment background investigations.
• Cannot be delinquent or in default on a federal student loan as verified in your credit report. If in a rehabilitation program, your credit report must reflect that you are current, not delinquent, on your payments.
• Must complete pre-employment background check.

Physical Demands

• The following physical demands are estimated by the amount of time spent. Usually, the amount of time spent will be estimated on a daily basis, but depending on the position could be estimated on a weekly basis or a monthly basis.
• Constantly: 60%+ or 5-8 hrs/shift Occasionally: 10%-25% or 1-2 hrs/shift
• Frequently: 25%-60% or 4-5 hrs/shift Rarely: less than 10% or less than 2 hrs/shift

• Work is characterized as more than 50% sedentary performed primarily at a desk in an office environment.
• Work constantly involves repetitive motion, using a computer QWERTY keyboard inputting data, preparing reports on a computer or laptop; constantly involves the use of hands, wrists, fingers, shoulders, neck and forearms for keyboarding and movement of a mouse.
• Work constantly involves the use of a computer monitor to view, review, read, research, identify data, compare data, identify errors, reconcile information.
• Work constantly involves close up work with the computer monitor to review, track and respond to correspondence.
• Work constantly involves communicating with staff, and rarely students, via telephone, email, instant messaging, or similar means.
• Occasionally involves the ability to move about the office and/or office complex.
• Occasionally involves lifting and/or carrying or moving boxes of up to 30 pounds from one location to another on campus or to deliver to other locations off campus.
• Constantly requires mental acuity for planning, organizing, assessing information; multi-tasking; meeting deadlines; using sound judgment; formulating recommendations; and problem solving; performing mathematical calculations; prolonged concentration and focus while viewing data on a computer monitor.