Financial Aid Processor - Verification

Arizona State University•AZ_Remote, AZ

3d•Onsite

About The Position

In a high-volume processing environment, a financial aid processor prepares and processes student financial aid files in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and guidelines for the purpose of determining eligibility and awarding financial aid. Assists with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional programs by reviewing, analyzing, and determining eligibility and awarding for various financial aid programs.

Requirements

High School Diploma and three years (3) experience appropriate to the area of assignment/field; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or training from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have been achieved.
Knowledge of government, donor, and institutional rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures governing the awarding of financial aid.
Understanding of the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation and its impact on the awarding of Title IV funds.
Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and applicable regulations.
Working knowledge of federal financial aid systems, including COD (Common Origination and Disbursement System), FPP (FAFSA Partner Portal), and NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System).
Knowledge of automated financial aid processing systems and procedures.
Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements and student privacy regulations.
Basic computer proficiency, including Microsoft Office applications, specifically Word and Excel.
Knowledge of exemplary customer service principles and practices.
Ability to actively listen, acknowledge, and respond effectively to inquiries.
Ability to take ownership of concerns and resolve questions or problems appropriately.
Ability to demonstrate professionalism, expertise, and a commitment to service excellence in every interaction.
Commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement in customer service.
Ability to promote and encourage sustainable practices and positive environmental behaviors.
Ability to lead by example through communication, participation, and support of institutional sustainability programs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in Business or Public Administration, Humanities or other related field preferred AND one year of experience in financial aid student counseling; OR, five years of experience in financial aid, student counseling or directly related experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or education from which comparable knowledge, skills, and abilities have been achieved.
Knowledge of federal and institutional rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures governing financial aid verification and eligibility requirements.
Understanding of the Student Aid Index (SAI) calculation and its impact on the awarding of Title IV funds.
Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, awarding criteria, and applicable regulations.
Working knowledge of federal financial aid systems, including COD (Common Origination and Disbursement), FPP (FAFSA Partner Portal), and NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System).
Knowledge of and skill in automated financial aid processing.
Demonstrated critical thinking, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
Knowledge of Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) requirements.
Evidence of ability to clearly communicate to perform essential functions.
Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Word and Excel.
Knowledge of exemplary customer service principles and practices.
Ability to actively listen, acknowledge, and respond effectively to inquiries.
Ability to take ownership of concerns and resolve questions or problems appropriately.
Ability to demonstrate professionalism, expertise, and accountability in interactions with students, families, and colleagues.
Commitment to professional development and continuous improvement in service delivery.
Ability to promote positive changes in individual, institutional, and organizational behaviors that support a more sustainable environment.
Ability to lead by example through communication, participation, and support of institutional sustainability programs.

Responsibilities

Analyzes and processes student financial data to determine financial aid eligibility and award amounts in accordance with federal, donor, and institutional guidelines.
Reviews and processes student financial aid files to determine eligibility for federal Title IV aid in compliance with federal regulations, institutional policies, and established procedures.
Completes federal verification requirements by reviewing FAFSA/ISIR data and supporting documentation for accuracy, completeness, and consistency.
Identifies discrepancies and makes required corrections or updates to student records.
Evaluates student eligibility requirements, including citizenship or eligible noncitizen status, satisfactory academic progress, enrollment status, conflicting information, and other federal eligibility criteria.
Reviews and resolves federal database match issues, C-Codes, rejected ISIRs, and other eligibility conditions requiring additional documentation or action.
Exercises professional judgment and independent decision-making when evaluating documentation and determining compliance with regulatory and institutional requirements.
Calculates and validates financial aid eligibility and makes appropriate adjustments to student records and awards based on verified information and changes in eligibility.
Identifies conflicting or potentially inaccurate information and ensures discrepancies are resolved and appropriately documented before federal aid is disbursed.
Maintains accurate and complete documentation of eligibility determinations, verification activities, corrections, and adjustments to ensure an auditable student record.
Utilizes institutional systems and federal resources to process financial aid, including student information systems, document management platforms, and U.S. Department of Education systems.
Monitors assigned workloads and processing queues to ensure files are completed accurately and within established processing and regulatory deadlines.
Performs quality-control reviews to minimize processing errors, overawards, overpayments, and institutional compliance risks.
Applies federal regulations, institutional policies, and procedural guidance consistently while remaining current on changes affecting Title IV eligibility and verification.
Communicates with internal stakeholders regarding outstanding documentation, eligibility requirements, file status, and actions necessary to complete the financial aid process.
Collaborates with Financial Aid Student Services, Student Business Services, Systems, Compliance, and other university departments to research and resolve complex student eligibility and processing issues.
Participates in training, regulatory updates, process improvements, system testing, and implementation of new financial aid requirements and procedures.
Protects confidential student and financial information and maintains compliance with applicable federal, state, and institutional privacy and data-security requirements, including FERPA.
Performs additional financial aid processing and eligibility-related duties as assigned to support departmental operations and student service.