Financial Aid Specialist II

Grand Canyon Education•Phoenix, AZ

9d•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Specialist II is responsible for reviewing and processing various forms of financial aid, including Federal financial aid (Title IV), scholarships, and alternative loans. This role involves verifying the completeness, accuracy, and eligibility of student financial aid applications, and auditing required documents to ensure compliance with regulations. The specialist will input and manage data in financial aid databases, determine and certify eligibility for alternative loans, and review student appeals of financial aid award determinations. Additionally, the role requires performing research on financial aid approval status, flagging student accounts for issues, processing vocational rehabilitation and JTPA authorization forms, and accurately handling all payments and disbursements for financial aid funds. Confidentiality regarding student and parent financial information, in compliance with FERPA, is paramount. The position also involves staying current on financial aid regulations and best practices through professional development and contributing to process improvements within the Office of Financial Aid. There may be opportunities to assist with training new specialists and presenting financial aid information to external groups.

Requirements

Familiarity with Title IV federal student financial aid programs, scholarships, private programs, grants and other post-secondary financial aid fund availability.
Ability to accurately interpret and clarify federal, state and University regulations and policies as related to financial aid.
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.
Sound judgment and critical thinking skills particularly as pertaining to more complex matters. The effects of errors in judgment can be detrimental to students and damage the reputation of the University with regard to student enrollment and financial aid.
Good organizational ability and strategy.
Ability to deal professionally and appropriately with diverse populations.
Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution is preferred.
Three years’ financial aid counseling/advising/processing work experience, preferably within the GCU community.
Work experience with CampusVue or other financial aid software systems/database(s) (such as Banner) is preferred.
Must be willing to work over time when needed.
Must be able to pass pre-employment background investigation
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.

Nice To Haves

Work experience with CampusVue or other financial aid software systems/database(s) (such as Banner) is preferred.

Responsibilities

Reviews and processes various forms of financial aid including Federal financial aid (Title IV), scholarships and alternative loans.
Verifies information on student financial aid 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).
Determines and certifies eligibility for alternative loans generating significant resources for students and revenue for the University.
Reviews/evaluates student appeals of financial aid award determinations and intercedes for students with participating departments.
Performs research on approval status of all financial aid.
Reviews and/or flag student accounts for holds, collections, etc.
Processes vocational rehabilitation and JTPA authorization forms.
Processes all payments and disbursements for financial aid funds accurately and efficiently.
Ensures confidentiality by monitoring for FERPA regulation by monitoring the students’ consent flags to share information with parents.
Ensures confidentiality of students’ and/or parents’ financial information.
Attends professional workshops, meetings and training sessions to assure adequate professional development and to keep current on state grants and scholarships, federal programs, veterans’ programs, scholarships and federal, state and University regulations related to financial aid.
Exercises professional judgment and initiative to make recommendations for continual process improvement within the Office of Financial Aid.
May assist with training new Financial Aid Specialists.
May assist with presenting college financial aid information to outside groups.