Financial Aid Specialist

POSITION SUMMARY:

This position is responsible for the Financial Aid packaging of the Prison Education Program students, and performing financial aid administrative and compliance tasks. This role will also provide excellent customer service, coordinate with other departments and provide support to the Business Office as needed.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Develops and maintains a strong culture of teamwork and collaboration within the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) and with colleagues and departments across the University.

• Packages and completes all financial aid counseling processes for the University's Graduate and Prison Education Program going in to the prison to help the students complete documents for their financial aid and representing the university for our graduate student populations assisting with presentations and financial aid events for grad students as needed.

• Coordinates with Prison Education Program personnel to review student statuses.

• Maintains a file management system specific to the Prison Education Program students to include copies of documentation sent to the US Department of Education.

• Advises prospective/current student(s) and/or parent(s) about federal, state and institutional financial aid programs.

• Counsels the student(s) and parent(s) to ensure compliance with the academic progress policy for institutional, state and federal financial aid programs.

• Assists student(s) and parent(s) in completing all forms related to their financial aid.

• Reviews and processes applications and packages.

• Performs professional judgment reviews.

• Verification and R2T4 processing for all USM students.

• Works closely with the Registrar's Office to track enrollment status changes.

• Provides back-up support to the Business Office when needed to include taking payments, answering questions and assisting students in with payment plans, accessing their account information, etc.

• Assists the Associate Director of Financial Aid as needed.

• Financial Aid adjustments and processing as needed. (all aid types)

• Imports and exports daily files on Ed Connect (i.e.: ISIR's MPN's etc.).

• Responsible for staying current with all federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations

• Prepares and conducts financial aid presentations as requested.

• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's Degree preferred

• 2-3 years related experience.

• Ability to successfully pass background screening and entry requirements specific to the Prison Education Program locations.

• Proven ability to work effectively and efficiently in a fast-paced work environment.

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills using tact and patience in a diverse environment. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.

• Proficient in MS Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Effective interpersonal and communication skills using tact and patience in a diverse environment.

• Proven ability to organize and prioritize work to accomplish deadlines.

• Effective analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Think critically and creatively, have a high standard of integrity, and be motivated to incorporate best practices into the organizational culture.

• Able to take initiative and independently plan, organize, coordinate and perform work in various situations where numerous and diverse demands are involved.

• Ability to research federal and state regulation and guidance.

• Strong knowledge of federal financial aid programs and regulations.

• Extensive experience with current technologies in programs and financial aid processing; PowerFAIDS (financial aid software), Jenzabar J1, Info Maker, federal and state processing websites (i.e.: NSLDS/COD/EdConnect etc.).