Financial Aid Specialist I
About The Position
Southern New Hampshire University is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist I to join their Financial Aid Operations team. This technical role requires strong processing knowledge of the financial aid life cycle, including originating, recalculating, disbursing, returning, and reconciling loans, grants, and scholarships accurately and in compliance with regulations. The position involves troubleshooting complex student eligibility issues and adhering to institutional and governmental compliance requirements. The role is partially based in Manchester, NH, with a hybrid work arrangement. The Financial Aid Specialist I will report to the Associate Director of Financial Aid and will work Monday through Friday, 8 am-4:30 pm EST, with flexibility for occasional Saturdays and evening shifts during term starts.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree preferred plus 1+ years of experience in a processing or financial aid environment, or equivalent education and experience.
- Exposure to integrated computer systems with complex multi-level structures and software.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Visio).
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Strong attention to detail.
- Solid comprehension of mathematical concepts and equations.
- Employment is dependent upon successful access to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), requiring all federal loans to be in good standing and not in default.
- Requires a credit check to review that student loans are not in default.
Responsibilities
- Complete understanding of the financial aid cycle, regulations, compliance aspects, and processes.
- Review files for eligibility of federal and private loans, institutional, state, and federal grants, and institutional 3rd party scholarships for recalculation and disbursement or return to lender.
- Evaluate unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation and exercise judgment to make adjustments to awards.
- Perform Return to Title IV Funds calculations, Return to Lender calculations, and Tuition Assistance Calculations.
- Perform Pell Recalculation, Originate/Certify Loans, and manage Disbursements and Reconciliations.
- Generate and analyze system-generated data (grades, enrollment status, award status) to verify student compliance and eligibility.
- Notify students of changes in award eligibility and propose alternatives.
- Troubleshoot processing problems and technical issues with the COD system and Banner software, applying corrective action.
- Consult with processing support teams and other appropriate resources when necessary.
- Identify and resolve missing, incomplete, or incorrect student information through communication and corrective action.
- Participate in Business Process Redesign and process improvement initiatives to enhance efficiencies and automation within Student Financial Services.
- Leverage COD system, NSLDS information, University Reports (Argos & PowerBi), Perceptive Content, UNIFY, and Banner functionality.
- Manage electronic communication with the DOE Title IV Wide Area Network, including downloading and uploading applications, corrections, NSLDS, and PELL grant data.
- Interpret ISIR import data and research items to resolve conflicts.
- Process all Federal loans, including eligibility requirements, award budget reconciliation, calculations, and adherence to regulations, compliance factors, and institutional policies.
- Maintain attendance, punctuality, and reliability, which are essential functions of this role.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the manager.
Benefits
- High-quality, low-deductible medical insurance
- Low to no-cost dental and vision plans
- 5 weeks of paid time off
- Almost a dozen paid holidays
- Employer-funded retirement
- Free tuition program
- Parental leave
- Mental health and wellbeing resources
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Entry Level
