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.

• Bachelors 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 .
• 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.