Financial Aid Specialist I

Grand Canyon Education•Phoenix, AZ

4d•Onsite

About The Position

This role involves reviewing and verifying undergraduate student applications for financial aid, ensuring completeness, accuracy, and eligibility. The specialist will audit required financial aid documents to confirm compliance with regulations, input data and award information into databases, and evaluate student appeals. They will also process financial aid fund disbursements, maintain knowledge of various aid programs and regulations, and participate in ongoing training. Confidentiality of student information is paramount. The role may also include reviewing document accuracy, determining eligibility and packaging federal funds, calculating funds earned and returned, and reconciling accounts. This position requires the ability to understand all loan types for potential classification changes.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is preferred.
One year related work experience.
Must be willing to work over time when needed.
Must be able to pass pre-employment background investigations.
Cannot be delinquent or in default on a federal student loan as verified in your credit report. If in a rehabilitation program, your credit report must reflect that you are current, not delinquent, on your payments.
Must complete pre-employment background check.
Ability to work collaboratively and professionally within a team environment, and to work independently when necessary; establishes and maintains effective working relationships.
Accurate, thorough and very detail oriented.
Ability to work in a fast-paced, high volume environment meeting quality and quantity requirements within timelines.
Proficient with computer software and systems including MS Office Suite and willingness to perform data input.
Must become familiar with University, state and federal financial aid regulations and procedures.
Sound judgment and critical thinking skills.
Must be able to respond to supervision, guidance and direction in a positive, receptive manner.
Good organizational ability and strategy.
Ability to deal professionally and appropriately with diverse populations.
Constantly involves repetitive motion, using a computer QWERTY keyboard inputting data, preparing reports on a computer or laptop; constantly involves the use of hands, wrists, fingers, shoulders, neck and forearms for keyboarding and movement of a mouse.
Constantly involves the use of a computer monitor to view, review, read, research, identify data, compare data, identify errors, reconcile information.
Constantly involves close up work with the computer monitor to review, track and respond to correspondence.
Constantly involves communicating with staff, and rarely students, via telephone, email, instant messaging, or similar means.
Constantly requires mental acuity for planning, organizing, assessing information; multi-tasking; meeting deadlines; using sound judgment; formulating recommendations; and problem solving; performing mathematical calculations; prolonged concentration and focus while viewing data on a computer monitor.

Nice To Haves

Previous knowledge of financial aid policies and procedures is helpful.
Work experience with CampusVue or other financial aid software systems/database(s) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews and verifies information on undergraduate student applications for completeness, accuracy, and eligibility for financial aid.
Audits required financial aid documents including Master Promissory notes, Entrance Counseling, etc., to confirm compliance with local, state, and federal regulations and policies.
Accurately inputs data, information, changes, corrections, and new awards into database(s).
Reviews/evaluates student appeals of financial aid award determinations and intercedes for students with participating departments.
Processes disbursements for financial aid funds accurately and efficiently.
Maintains current knowledge of state grants and scholarships, federal programs, veterans’ programs, scholarships, and federal, state, and University regulations related to financial aid.
Participates in ongoing trainings to develop and maintain multiple skill sets.
Maintains confidentiality of students’ and/or parents/guardians’ personal, private, and financial information.
Will need to be able to understand all loan types for movement to different classification.
May perform one or more of the following duties: reviewing accuracy of documents, determining eligibility and packaging federal funds, calculating funds earned and return of funds, and/or reconciliation of large accounts.
Other duties as assigned.