Financial Aid Administrator and Financial Aid Coordinator

Universities of Wisconsin • Madison, WI

3d • $60,000 • Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) is recruiting two Financial Aid Officers in our Financial Aid Applications, Awarding, and Compliance Team (FAACT). The Financial Aid Administrator and the Financial Aid Coordinator in OSFA support the full lifecycle of awarding federal, institutional, and state aid, from application review to award packaging and disbursement. These roles ensure compliance with all relevant regulations while providing accurate guidance and support to students and campus partners. Applicants will be considered for the Financial Aid Administrator and Financial Aid Coordinator positions. The position an applicant is selected for will be determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalists.

Requirements

• Demonstrated knowledge of federal financial aid or a background with regulatory compliance
• Works effectively both as a member of a team as well as independently
• Ability to quickly adjust to new situations, learn new skills, and embrace change
• Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment and must be able to sustain eligibility, without sponsorship, throughout the duration of their employment.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated knowledge in various financial aid systems and software (Peoplesoft’s student information system, FSA Partner Portal, NSLDS, COD, and FAFSA Processing Portal)
• Familiarity with aid applications (including FAFSA and CSS Profile), verification and review processes, and compliance requirements
• Excellent interpersonal, teamwork, collaboration, and frontline service skills

Responsibilities

• Award and assist in the reconciliation of federal programs, including the Federal Pell Grant, TEACH Grants, Direct Loans, and Campus-based funds.
• Assist in process reviews and take action as appropriate, including failed authorization, overawards, mass package review, and post-package review.
• Troubleshoot and determine proper action related to Direct Loan error reports, including manual corrections within SIS.
• Test and review student budget creations and packaging of aid offers.
• Monitor emails, chats, and phone calls to the Federal Awards team and respond to student and staff financial aid requests and concerns.
• Assist with creation of procedures and best practices, implementation, and provide regular feedback for the internally created document collection process.
• Inbound/outbound, process, reconcile, and troubleshoot private loan applications.
• Work with private loan lenders and agencies and build and maintain positive relationships with the University.
• Assist with annual setup in SIS, such as testing loan origination and aid year rollover.
• Review federal student aid applications selected for verification or assigned a C-code by FPS.
• Review institutional student aid applications for accuracy and conflicting information.
• Review and make professional judgment decisions of student aid applications and appeals, including dependency overrides, special and unique circumstances.
• Complete budget adjustment requests.
• Review subsequent ISIR applications per OSFA policy.
• Assist team responsible for packaging functions, including review, failed authorization, overawards, reconciliation etc.
• Troubleshoot, award, and process private and Direct PLUS loan applications.
• Assists with the testing and reviewing of student budgets and award packaging.
• Assist with the completion of Return of Fund (R2T4) calculations per university policy and Department of Education guidance.
• Remains current on all federal and regulatory requirements and program changes relative to all forms of aid for which a student may qualify.
• Assists in collecting, preparing, and analyzing financial aid data for stakeholders.
• Serves as a point of contact to third party stakeholders about financial aid information and processes.
• May hire, train, and supervise student employees.
• Demonstrates commitment to the University's mission statement, particularly to be sensitive and responsive to those groups which have been underserved by higher education. Participation in related learning activities is expected.
• Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid to qualifying students according to established policies and in compliance with federal and state regulations.
• Awards financial aid to qualifying students.
• Coordinates communication and education to students, families, OSFA staff, and campus partners.
• Triages processes or applications if issues arise.

Benefits

• Generous paid time off
• Competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance
• Tax-advantaged savings accounts
• Participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level