Freshman Enrollment Financial Aid Specialist

Grambling State University • Grambling, LA

1d

About The Position

The Freshman Enrollment Financial Aid Specialist provides comprehensive financial aid counseling, application processing, and enrollment support to newly admitted first-time freshmen and their families. The position manages assigned freshman student caseloads, reviews FAFSA information, resolves outstanding financial aid requirements, processes awards within authorized responsibilities, and provides timely and accurate information about financial aid eligibility and enrollment readiness. The specialist works collaboratively with Admissions, Recruiting, Student Accounts, Housing, Orientation, and other university departments to support students’ transition from admission to enrollment.

The role includes counseling students and parents on FAFSA completion, aid eligibility, grants, scholarships, federal loans, financial resources, award offers, costs, payment options, and required documentation. It also involves reviewing applications and verification materials, determining and processing aid eligibility within assigned authorization levels, monitoring incomplete applications, and ensuring accurate documentation and timely file processing.

The specialist manages an assigned caseload from admission through initial enrollment, conducts proactive outreach, tracks financial aid completion and enrollment readiness, and documents communications and follow-up. The position also develops targeted communications, participates in admitted-student events and workshops, maintains accurate records, prepares weekly reports, uses institutional systems to monitor caseloads, and applies relevant financial aid policies and privacy requirements. Additional duties include professional development, departmental meetings and training, assistance with enrollment initiatives and peak processing, and other related duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Strong communication, organizational, analytical, and customer service skills.
• Ability to interpret policies and regulations, maintain confidentiality, manage multiple priorities, and work effectively with a diverse student population.

Nice To Haves

• Previous experience in financial aid, higher education, student services, enrollment management, or a related field.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a primary financial aid contact for assigned newly admitted freshmen and their families.
• Counsel students and parents regarding FAFSA completion, eligibility, grants, scholarships, federal loans, and available financial resources.
• Explain award offers, cost of attendance, expected out-of-pocket expenses, payment options, dependent student requirements, and information needed from parents for FAFSA processing.
• Explain federal student loan requirements and Parent PLUS Loan options, and provide guidance on deadlines, missing documentation, and next steps.
• Respond to inquiries by telephone, email, virtual appointment, and in person, subject to applicable privacy requirements.
• Review FAFSA records for assigned admitted freshmen and identify outstanding requirements and processing exceptions.
• Review and process verification documentation and conflicting information in accordance with applicable regulations.
• Determine eligibility and process federal, state, and institutional aid within assigned authorization levels.
• Assist with financial aid packaging, award adjustments, and notification of financial aid offers.
• Review eligibility for Pell Grants, Direct Loans, institutional scholarships, and other applicable aid programs.
• Monitor incomplete applications and unresolved requirements, and coordinate complex issues with designated financial aid administrators.
• Ensure accurate documentation and timely processing of student files.
• Manage an assigned caseload of newly admitted first-time freshmen from admission through initial enrollment.
• Identify admitted students who have not completed FAFSA requirements or received financial aid offers and conduct proactive outreach.
• Collaborate with Admissions to identify admitted students at risk of not enrolling because of financial concerns.
• Coordinate with Student Accounts regarding tuition balances, anticipated aid, and payment requirements.
• Help students understand the relationship between financial aid, course registration, housing, and enrollment confirmation.
• Track financial aid completion and enrollment readiness, and document communications and follow-up activities.
• Develop and implement targeted communications for assigned freshman caseloads.
• Conduct outreach campaigns related to FAFSA completion, outstanding requirements, financial aid offers, and enrollment deadlines.
• Participate in admitted-student events, orientation, financial aid workshops, and recruitment activities.
• Provide timely follow-up to students and families requiring additional assistance.
• Coordinate consistent financial aid messaging with Admissions and Recruiting.
• Apply applicable federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures.
• Maintain accurate student financial aid records and processing documentation.
• Use Banner, Argos, and approved institutional systems to monitor assigned freshman caseloads.
• Prepare weekly reports on FAFSA completion, outstanding requirements, financial aid packaging, and unresolved cases.
• Identify recurring processing issues and recommend solutions.
• Protect student information in accordance with FERPA and applicable privacy requirements, and participate in compliance training and operational reviews.
• Participate in professional development related to financial aid administration and student services.
• Attend departmental meetings and training sessions.
• Assist with special enrollment initiatives and peak processing activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level