Financial Aid Specialist

SCI•Austin, TX

13h

About The Position

The Financial Aid Officer provides financial aid assistance, support, information and counseling services to students and families. This position assists students in understanding, applying and utilizing financial aid from various sources including federal and state grants, scholarship and aid programs. Encourage students to pursue a career by offering pathways to make programs more affordable.

Requirements

Associates Degree or 2+ years of related experience
Financial Aid experience would include Title IV and/or non-Title IV packaging at a Post-Secondary institution.
Ability to follow processes, work effectively on a team or individual basis and maintain a positive attitude.
Strong knowledge of computer systems including Microsoft Office Suite
Ability to process financial aid using FA websites, global software, Diamond D Application, etc.
Maintain confidential information and abide by all Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) rules and regulations
Passionate belief in the value of our Education Programs.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree preferred.

Responsibilities

Perform review on the complete budget awarding requirements (new and continuing student) and on verification and comment flagged ISIRs using the appropriate platform SAINT Director to ensure funding on budget and all documentation are in compliance with current financial regulations; Southern Careers Institute and third-party services policies and procedures.
Remain current on all financial aid regulations and/or changes by all means possible, such as the web, Global Newsflash, and seminars (if approved by director).
Confirm loan notifications are sent to students electronically or mail weekly.
In a central processing environment, the Financial Aid Officer has a key role in supporting the high volume of electronically processed Financial Aid packages daily and providing campus support regarding compliance and regulatory concerns to field financial aid.
Process all financial aid tasks including but not limited to: loan certification, file verification, document tracking, ISIR acquisition, file organization, various Diamond D processes and any and all other non-counseling financial aid processing tasks.
Partner with the campus Education Finance Specialists to quickly, accurately and efficiently process loans, grants and scholarships.
Process Pell payments electronically, while resolving applicable errors.
Process Loans electronically, while resolving applicable errors.
Process FAFSAs, ISIRs and ISIR corrections electronically, while resolving applicable errors.
Utilize COD and NSLDS to review and assess prior student aid history.
Ensure all students have completed all entrance counseling requirements. Exit counseling must be completed within 30 days of the LDA.
Process Institutional Scholarships.
Works with third-party financial aid servicer.
Monitor FSEOG and FWS to support campus needs.
Follow up with campuses regarding packaging compliance issues.
Provide information and guidance in the areas of Department of Veteran Affairs (DVA) educational benefits and eligibility, educational objectives and degree/vocational opportunities; assists students in applying for a wide variety of DVA programs.
Interpret and apply federal and state regulations to all aspects of student aid programs, and specializes in Veteran student aid.
Prepare and review appropriate documentation necessary for certification of student’s veteran’s education entitlements to DVA educational benefits.
Act as a liaison between DVA Vocational Rehabilitation Specialist and disabled veterans, and control the issuance of forms used to cover education costs.
Maintain data such as tracking veteran student academic progress.
Foster relationships with social services and other agencies that work with students in need.
Evaluates federal, state, and/or institutional requirements for evaluating student withdrawals against institutional policies and practices - and assessing needs and recommending changes to ensure continued compliance.
Continually monitors official student withdrawals for the term, verifies attendance, recalculates student eligibility, and processes return of funds, when applicable.
Monitors unofficial withdrawals and unsatisfactory grades at the close of each term, verifies attendance, recalculates student eligibility, and processes Return of Title IV (R2T4) funds, when applicable.
In conjunction with the Education Department and Online school, reevaluates financial aid eligibility when withdrawals or refunds are being requested by students.
In conjunction with Accounts Receivable Operations, ensures refund checks resulting from Title IV credit balances are processed back to the appropriate federal programs within prescribed timeframes.
Coordinates overall withdrawal processing (throughout the term and at end-of-module) with appropriate Systems and Operations personnel to ensure accuracy and timeliness.
Serves as support staff for financial aid and accounting on withdrawal processing and the application of regulations within school policy, which may include other duties.