Financial Aid Coordinator and Data Specialist

Bennett College•Greensboro, NC

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Bennett College is seeking a Financial Aid Coordinator and Data Specialist to support its financial aid office. This role involves managing student financial aid processes, maintaining, analyzing, and reporting on financial aid data. The position combines direct student service with data management, ensuring accurate processing of financial aid awards and reliable reporting for institutional and regulatory purposes. The role is primarily office-based but may require occasional evening or weekend hours during peak periods like FAFSA season, orientation, and registration.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in a related field, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
One to three years of experience in financial aid administration, higher education administration, or a related data-focused role.
Strong understanding of federal and state financial aid regulations (Title IV preferred).
Proficiency with financial aid or student information systems and standard office/data software (Excel required).
Excellent attention to detail and ability to manage sensitive student data with discretion.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

SQL or reporting tools a plus.
Experience with financial aid management systems such as Banner, PeopleSoft, or PowerFAIDS.
Experience with an admissions CRM such as Slate or Technolutions Recruit.
Familiarity with FISAP, IPEDS, or state aid reporting requirements, including admissions and financial aid components.
Experience with enrollment management concepts such as discount rate, aid leveraging, or yield analysis.
Experience building reports or dashboards from institutional data spanning admissions and financial aid.

Responsibilities

Counsel students and families on financial aid options, application procedures, and eligibility requirements.
Review and process financial aid applications, including FAFSA data, verification documents, and appeals.
Determine student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid programs.
Package financial aid awards in compliance with federal and state regulations and institutional policy.
Respond to student and family inquiries regarding award status, deadlines, and required documentation.
Assist with the administration of scholarships, grants, loans, and work-study programs.
Support satisfactory academic progress (SAP) reviews and appeals processes.
Maintain accurate and secure student records across the admissions CRM and financial aid management system, ensuring data integrity.
Track and report on admissions funnel metrics and financial aid metrics to identify trends affecting enrollment.
Build and maintain data feeds/integrations between the admissions CRM, student information system (SIS), and financial aid system.
Perform regular data audits comparing admissions and financial aid records to catch discrepancies.
Analyze the relationship between aid packaging and enrollment yield to support aid strategy discussions.
Generate ad hoc and recurring reports for enrollment management, including net tuition revenue projections, discount rate analysis, and aid leveraging models.
Support required federal and state reporting, including FISAP, IPEDS, and state grant agency submissions.
Reconcile applicants and aid data with the registrar’s office and business office.
Develop and maintain dashboards tracking admissions funnel and financial aid processing status.
Identify data discrepancies between admissions and financial aid platforms and collaborate with IT, the registrar, or software vendors to resolve issues.
Stay current on federal Title IV regulations, state aid program requirements, and institutional policy changes.
Assist in preparing documentation for financial aid audits and program reviews.
Recommend process improvements to increase efficiency and accuracy of aid processing and data reporting.
Participate in training on regulatory updates and financial aid software systems.