Financial Aid Officer

Universities of Wisconsin•Superior, WI

4d•$46,000 - $51,000

About The Position

Evaluates and verifies financial aid applications, assists with reporting to facilitate the awarding of financial aid to qualifying students, triages financial aid processes, and awards financial aid. Additional duties specific to the position: Monitor regulations and policies at the Federal, State and Institutional Level to ensure compliance Work with Director to identify risks to the organization within the department and suggest/discuss risk reduction options. Monitor daily Department of Education announcements and industry news (National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators, Federal Student Aid Handbook, Institutional Student Information Record Comment Codes, Information for Financial Aid Professionals, etc.), to identify regulatory changes, impact on workflow, and compliance. Research required information as needed for policy changes and additions. Coordinate training with office staff, and/or other areas on campus to ensure full compliance for our Financial Aid Program and Title IV funding eligibility. Review and organize current office policies and procedures, identify gaps in documentation, and monitor on an ongoing basis to ensure appropriate documentation updates are done. Monitor and maintain consumer information/communications in accordance with federal guidelines. Process review/improvement Actively work to enhance service to institutional constituents through on-going review of all business processes and workflow, including working with all staff to improve office and process efficiencies. Financial aid advising sessions Respond to financial aid office email inquiries, generally advising students and families regarding financial aid processes and procedures according to federal, state and institutional guidelines (Back up to Financial Aid Officer) Advise students and families in person and on phone, as appropriate, regarding financial aid processes and procedures according to federal, state and institutional guidelines Adjust financial aid awards Conduct needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine financial aid eligibility Remain current on federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines Reconcile Institutional Aid Reconcile Non-Resident Tuition Waiver, 3rd party invoices, and foundation scholarships Internal Auditing Verification Conflicting Information Student Employment, as required for separation of duties Federal Exit Loan Counseling Biweekly, identify proper students and assign/process communication Student Employment Create and maintain student employment records, as a back-up and during peak processing times Coordinate off-campus work study, America Reads and Math Counts programs, including site visits Invoicing for international student scholarship payments (Shared) Respond to Student Employment email account inquires Back-up for Student Employment Manager processing duties Collaborate with and assist other Financial Aid staff, typically in a back-up capacity Load ISIR files, resolve conflicting information, and send missing information communications Collaborate on the management of the website and Intranet. Processing tasks (agency docs, consortium agreements, etc.). Perform verification of student information (process documentation, compliance, updating yearly forms) Conduct presentations on and off campus, as needed Other Duties: Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Excellent communication skills (oral and written), including group facilitation and presentation
Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills, along with demonstrated attention to detail
Knowledge of, and experience in, project management
Ability to handle large volumes of work and accurately track many details; meet deadlines and perform multiple tasks
Ability to work with a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment with many interruptions
Ability to exhibit good judgment in decision making
Ability to read and comprehend technical documentation and federal regulations
Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and need analysis
Considerable knowledge and understanding of the Financial Aid schedule of activities throughout the year
Considerable experience with MS Office
Working knowledge of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act rules and regulations and ability to ensure compliance
Skill in effective leadership, teamwork, and customer service
Ability to work with confidential and sensitive information and records
Ability to commit to the highest ethical standards
Ability to work with diverse populations and groups with different levels of technical ability
Ability to work nights and weekends as needed
Minimum Education: Associate’s Degree from an accredited institution with a graduation date by May 31, 2026
Customer service experience
Candidates must be independently, legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire and maintain their work authorization without the support or help of UW-Superior throughout employment.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution with a graduation date by May 31, 2026
Two years of progressive financial aid experience in a higher education setting
Experience utilizing Microsoft Excel for functions, formulas, pivot tables, etc.
Experience with PeopleSoft, specifically the Financial Aid module
Experience using an Imaging System
Experience working with business process improvement
Experience with Workday

Responsibilities

Serves as a point of contact to third party stakeholders about financial aid information and processes
Awards financial aid to qualifying students
Assists in collecting, preparing, and analyzing financial aid data for stakeholders
Audits financial aid applications for awarding financial aid to qualifying students according to established policies and in compliance with federal and state regulations
Triages processes or applications if issues arise
May hire, train, and supervise student employees
Monitor regulations and policies at the Federal, State and Institutional Level to ensure compliance
Work with Director to identify risks to the organization within the department and suggest/discuss risk reduction options.
Monitor daily Department of Education announcements and industry news (National Association for Student Financial Aid Administrators, Federal Student Aid Handbook, Institutional Student Information Record Comment Codes, Information for Financial Aid Professionals, etc.), to identify regulatory changes, impact on workflow, and compliance.
Research required information as needed for policy changes and additions.
Coordinate training with office staff, and/or other areas on campus to ensure full compliance for our Financial Aid Program and Title IV funding eligibility.
Review and organize current office policies and procedures, identify gaps in documentation, and monitor on an ongoing basis to ensure appropriate documentation updates are done.
Monitor and maintain consumer information/communications in accordance with federal guidelines.
Actively work to enhance service to institutional constituents through on-going review of all business processes and workflow, including working with all staff to improve office and process efficiencies.
Respond to financial aid office email inquiries, generally advising students and families regarding financial aid processes and procedures according to federal, state and institutional guidelines (Back up to Financial Aid Officer)
Advise students and families in person and on phone, as appropriate, regarding financial aid processes and procedures according to federal, state and institutional guidelines
Adjust financial aid awards
Conduct needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine financial aid eligibility
Remain current on federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines
Reconcile Institutional Aid
Reconcile Non-Resident Tuition Waiver, 3rd party invoices, and foundation scholarships
Verification Conflicting Information Student Employment, as required for separation of duties
Federal Exit Loan Counseling Biweekly, identify proper students and assign/process communication
Create and maintain student employment records, as a back-up and during peak processing times
Coordinate off-campus work study, America Reads and Math Counts programs, including site visits
Invoicing for international student scholarship payments (Shared)
Respond to Student Employment email account inquires
Back-up for Student Employment Manager processing duties
Collaborate with and assist other Financial Aid staff, typically in a back-up capacity
Load ISIR files, resolve conflicting information, and send missing information communications
Collaborate on the management of the website and Intranet.
Processing tasks (agency docs, consortium agreements, etc.).
Perform verification of student information (process documentation, compliance, updating yearly forms)
Conduct presentations on and off campus, as needed
Complete required trainings and professional development as assigned.
Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund.

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