Financial Aid Specialist

Meridian University • Santa Monica, CA

17h • Onsite

About The Position

Meridian University is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to manage the day-to-day administration of federal financial aid for its graduate student population. The role oversees the operational cycle from eligibility review through awarding, disbursement, federal reporting, reconciliation, and resolution of student cases. Meridian is a graduate-only institution operating on a quarter system, so the position requires understanding how aid is awarded across the academic year and quarter by quarter.

The specialist works with federal financial aid systems, Salesforce and other internal platforms, students, university departments, and a third-party financial aid servicer. The role emphasizes accurate and timely processing, compliance with Title IV requirements, audit-ready records, responsive student support, independent deadline management, and ongoing process improvement.

The position is full-time, on-site at the Los Angeles Campus in Santa Monica, California, with a Monday–Friday schedule from 8:45 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. Pacific Time. Meridian's application process may include interviews and role-specific assessments. Candidates who advance may be offered a paid, multi-week project-based contract before any full-time offer. Full-time team members complete a structured four-week onboarding process with a dedicated onboarding manager.

Requirements

• Eligibility to access federal financial aid and Department of Education COD, NSLDS, and FPS/ISIR systems.
• At least two years of experience administering federal Title IV aid at a college or university.
• Working knowledge of Title IV regulations, including verification, R2T4, SAP, and Direct Loan processing.
• Understanding of and experience implementing OB3 financial aid changes.
• Hands-on experience with federal systems such as COD and NSLDS, and FPS/ISIR processing.
• Demonstrated precision with data, including reconciling records, catching errors, and maintaining audit-ready documentation.
• Strong written communication skills and the ability to explain financial aid clearly to students and colleagues.
• Self-management capabilities, including independent ownership of deadlines, visible systems, and proactive issue resolution.

Nice To Haves

• Bachelor’s degree or higher.
• Financial aid experience at a graduate institution or a school operating on a quarter or non-standard term calendar.
• Experience completing NSLDS Enrollment Reporting and FVT/GE reporting.
• VA School Certifying Official experience.
• Experience working with a third-party financial aid servicer.
• Experience with Salesforce or a comparable CRM; comfort with Excel and data validation.
• NASFAA credentials or ongoing professional development in financial aid administration.
• Experience in a fast-moving, startup-style environment.

Responsibilities

• Review ISIRs, resolve comment codes and conflicting information, and complete verification in accordance with Title IV and institutional policy.
• Determine eligibility and package federal Direct Loans and other aid sources for graduate students; confirm cost of attendance, enrollment status, and Satisfactory Academic Progress before each award.
• Process loan origination and resolve origination and disbursement errors through COD.
• Coordinate with Admissions and Financial Services on payment intentions so incoming students arrive with aid in place.
• Conduct daily NSLDS checks and audits against Salesforce and third-party reports.
• Prepare, review, and execute each quarter’s disbursement cycle with the third-party financial aid servicer and financial aid team.
• Maintain an accurate count of expected and actual disbursements; reconcile scheduled and paid amounts and resolve discrepancies.
• Track enrollment changes, including leaves of absence, status changes, withdrawals, and graduations, and adjust aid accordingly.
• Complete Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) calculations for withdrawn students and report adjustments within required timelines.
• Monitor and resolve Title IV credit balances and refunds.
• Complete NSLDS Enrollment Reporting Roster (ERR) cycles accurately and on schedule, reconciling rosters against university records before submission.
• Support annual Financial Value Transparency and Gainful Employment (FVT/GE) reporting and other federal data submissions.
• Process VA education benefit certifications in coordination with Financial Services.
• Maintain complete, audit-ready student files and documentation; support FSA audit preparation and program reviews.
• Stay current with changes to federal student aid regulations and communicate their operational implications.
• Serve as a responsive, knowledgeable point of contact for students with questions about loans, disbursements, and eligibility; resolve cases clearly and carefully.
• Maintain accurate financial aid records in Salesforce and internal platforms; flag and help close data gaps.
• Document and improve processes, and maintain standards for how work is completed.
• Collaborate with Student Services, the Registrar, and Financial Services to keep enrollment and aid data aligned.
• Manage deadlines independently, surface issues early, and close loops proactively.
• Look for root causes of recurring problems and help develop tracking and automation to prevent them.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance, with 100% of employee premiums covered.
• 401(k).
• PTO, six sick days per year, and eight paid holidays.
• Spotify, Calm, and Audible subscriptions.
• Weekly catered team lunches, plus a coffee and snacks stipend.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: No Education Listed