Student Financial Services Specialist

If you are a current Barnard College employee please use the internal career site to apply for this position.

Job:

Student Financial Services Specialist

The Student Financial Services Specialist serves as a key resource in supporting students and families with all aspects of tuition billing financial aid and related student account services. Specialists are cross-trained to provide general guidance across both Student Accounts and Student Aid while each may hold a primary focus area. The position ensures compliance with federal state and institutional policies delivers high-quality customer service and assists in piloting emerging service technologies including AI-driven solutions to continuously improve service delivery and response times. To support accuracy and accountability operational responsibilities for awarding aid and billing/collections are structured to remain distinct while specialists collaborate to provide seamless service to students and families.

Job Description:

Duties and responsibilities include the following and may rotate among Student Financial Services Specialists as assigned by their manager:

General:

• Provide seamless guidance to students and families across financial aid and billing matters while adhering to accountability standards that keep awarding aid and billing/collections responsibilities distinct.

• Provide accurate and timely information to current and prospective students and families regarding financial aid billing payment alternatives loan programs refunds deadlines and institutional policies.

• Advise students on financial deadlines financial aid options and eligibility and application requirements.

• In addition to core advising duties this specialist acts as a functional liaison for student service innovations exploring and supporting the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools to enhance the overall digital student experience.

• Enforce federal state and institutional regulatory standards.

• Assist in financial literacy outreach and education programs in collaboration with Admissions Student Affairs and other College partners.

• Maintain confidentiality of personal student financial information in compliance with FERPA and College policy.

• Contribute to process improvements and ensure strong internal controls.

• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Student Aid Focus

Perform need analysis and packaging for assigned caseload of prospective and current students with an understanding of the principles of federal methodology including:

• Evaluating and calculate awards with a thorough knowledge of and adherence to Barnards own policies and procedures.

• Make professional judgment decisions in extenuating circumstances to determine students eligibility and awards

• Awarding institutional and federal grants loans and jobs

• Estimating federal state and outside need-based grants and loans

• Assist with the packaging and awarding of federal state and institutional financial aid and appeals.

Appeals:

• Monitor the appeal process; review student appeals and documents to present to the appeal committee; communicate appeal decisions to students and ensure file completion.

• Provide counseling on federal loan programs (Stafford PLUS) and process eligibility and paperwork.

• Support the administration of outside scholarships health insurance waivers SAP and non-custodial parent documentation.

• Represent Student Financial Services at Admissions Open Houses tabling events and outreach programs.

• Collaborate with Admissions Lefrak Center for Well-being and other offices on recruitment retention and financial wellness initiatives.

• Serve as a point person for HEOP/CSTEP Programs: Determine eligibility for prospective HEOP students during Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) cycles; provide support and counseling to all assigned HEOP and CSTEP students and assist the OP Office as needed.

Skills Qualifications & Requirements:

Knowledge Skills & Abilities:

• Strong customer service communication and interpersonal skills.

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and student account management.

• Demonstrated ability to work with complex financial systems and reconcile data accurately.

• Excellent organizational problem-solving and analytical skills.

• Ability to exercise professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Commitment to continuous improvement and student-centered service.

Qualifications:

• Required: Bachelors degree with a minimum of 2-3 years experience in student accounts financial aid or related higher education finance role.

• Preferred: Knowledge of PowerFAIDS Technolutions Slate Workday and/or other financial aid and student information systems.

Work Arrangement:

• This job is currently a hybrid position but may require a presence in the office up to five times a week including for team and full staff meetings and other times as directed by the supervisor.

Salary Range: $70000 - $75000 annually

The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors including but not limited to departmental budgets qualifications experience education licenses specialty and training. The above hiring range represents the Colleges good faith and reasonable estimateof the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Company:

Barnard College

Time Type:

Full time