Senior Specialist, Financial Aid

College of Southern Nevada • Charleston, SC

7d • Onsite

About The Position

The College of Southern Nevada (CSN) is seeking a Senior Specialist, Financial Aid to lead and support the operations of the Return of Title IV (R2T4) program. This role involves reviewing work for quality and accuracy, assessing workflow issues, and providing training to ensure program integrity. The specialist will perform R2T4 calculations, adjust aid, run R2T4 queries, maintain databases, and report productivity. In collaboration with the Assistant Director, they will develop and maintain policies, procedures, and consumer education materials, including website content, financial aid publications, R2T4 notifications, and training manuals, to meet federal/state financial aid refund requirements. The position will also facilitate meetings with key stakeholders such as Cashiers and the Registrar's Office to coordinate the academic calendar and special disbursements, ensuring funds are returned/disbursed within regulatory timeframes. The Senior Specialist will work directly with students and their families to enhance their understanding of their rights and responsibilities as financial aid recipients, communicating program eligibility rules for scholarships, grants, work-study employment, student loans, and state financial aid programs. Additionally, the incumbent will support other office operations, including client service, verification processing, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), loans, packaging and awarding, work-study, and appeals, providing assistance during high-need periods. This position requires a broad knowledge of financial aid and the surrounding federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in student personnel, counseling, business or related field from an accredited college/university; OR an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• 3 years of progressively increased financial aid administrative experience.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in student personnel, Counseling, business or related field from an accredited college/university.
• Experience working in a community college setting.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft or similar Enterprise level software administering financial aid.
• Ability to perform the Return of Title IV calculations.
• Knowledge of Return of Title IV regulations.
• Knowledge in PeopleSoft or similar Enterprise level software administering financial aid.
• Strong critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills, and acumen.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills to effectively convey information to internal and external stakeholders.
• Ability to collaborate and work successfully with a diverse and varied group of staff & faculty and/or student population.
• Experience working in a large college/university setting.
• Community college experience a plus.
• Demonstrated success using inquiry and evidence to inform decision-making, short- and long-term planning.
• The ability to utilize and implement best practices to provide efficient and effective office operations that results in superior student experience.
• Experience with providing presentations in small and large group settings.
• Possess skills to interact and build with students, families and the campus community.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the operations of the Return of Title IV (R2T4) program.
• Review work for quality and accuracy, assess workflow issues, and provide training to ensure program integrity.
• Perform R2T4 calculations, adjust aid, run R2T4 queries, maintain database and report productivity.
• Develop and maintain policies, procedures, and consumer education materials, including website, financial aid publications, R2T4 notifications and training manuals to meet federal/state financial aid refund requirements.
• Facilitate meetings with key stakeholders (Cashiers, Registrar Office, etc.) to coordinate academic calendar and special disbursements.
• Ensure funds are returned/disbursed within regulatory timeframe.
• Work directly with students and their families to enhance their understanding of rights and responsibilities as a financial aid recipient.
• Communicate program eligibility rules to students and families regarding scholarships, grants, work study employment, student loans, and state financial aid programs.
• Support other operations of the office which includes but not limited to client service, verification processing, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), loans, packaging and awarding, workstudy, appeals, etc.
• Provide support during high need periods.
• Understand, evaluate, and provide strategic input on the impact of proposed and enacted changes in financial aid laws, regulations, guidelines, and effective practices.
• Read, interpret, and apply laws, regulations, and guidelines impacting the effective, efficient, and equitable performance of financial aid programs.
• Utilize and implement best practices to provide efficient and effective office operations that results in superior student experience.
• Provide presentations in small and large group settings.
• Interact and build with students, families and the campus community.
• Work extended hours, including weekends and holidays during peak season.

Benefits

• Grant-in-Aid: Tuition & fee assistance for employees and their families at NSHE institutions.
• Time Off: CSN provides a variety of time-off options to help employees manage their work-life balance.
• Holidays: All CSN employees receive 12 paid holidays per year.
• Benefits: CSN offers attractive and customizable health insurance plans for employees and dependents.
• Retirement Plan: Participants contribute 19.25% with 100% employer match.
• On-site Early Childhood Education Center services available
• Learning & professional development opportunities.
• Active CSN Affinity Groups that focus on campus-wide diversity initiatives to create a welcoming campus climate.

What This Job Offers

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