Specialist - Communications (Student Finance Services)

FVTC • Appleton, WI

50d • $25 - $29 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Student Finance Services (SFS) Communications Specialist is responsible for developing, coordinating, and delivering all student-facing communications related to financial aid, billing, and payments. This role serves both Financial Aid and Student Finance ensuring that students receive timely, accurate, and clear information about their financial responsibilities, aid eligibility, and available resources. The Communications Specialist creates and manages a unified communications strategy across multiple channels — email, text messaging, phone outreach, student portal, web content, and print — to support student success, reduce confusion, and maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements.

Requirements

• Associate’s in Communications, Marketing, Higher Education, Business, or a related field.
• Two to three years relevant experience.
• Strong writing and editing skills, with the ability to convey complex financial and regulatory information in plain language.
• Familiarity with federal financial aid regulations, billing procedures, and student account practices.
• Experience managing multi-channel communications across a large audience.
• Excellent organizational and project management skills with attention to detail.
• Comfort using SIS tools and analyzing engagement data
• Knowledge of Title IV regulations, FERPA, and financial aid compliance standards.
• Basic working knowledge in communication platforms such as Mail Chimp, Mongoose, Workday, or similar.
• Demonstrated commitment to student equity, access, and customer service excellence.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in a higher education setting, preferably within Financial Aid, Bursar, or Enrollment Services.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain a comprehensive, year-round communication calendar aligned with the financial aid cycle, billing calendar, academic deadlines, and regulatory requirements.
• Serve as the central point of coordination for all outgoing SFS communications, ensuring consistency of tone, branding, and content across all platforms.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Student Finance, IT, Marketing, and Enrollment Services to align messaging and optimize delivery strategies.
• Create targeted campaigns for: FAFSA reminders, verification, award notifications, SAP, special circumstances, COA adjustments, loans, and R2T4.
• Ensure all federally required notifications are compliant, accurate, and delivered within the appropriate timelines.
• Develop and distribute messages related to billing, payment plans, refunds, registration holds, collections, and 1098-T tax form availability.
• Coordinate student communications related to Veterans Education Benefits, including eligibility, certification, next steps, and compliance notifications.
• Draft and deliver content through email, text, phone scripts, student portal, web content, and print.
• Utilize SIS and communication software to segment audiences and automate delivery where appropriate.
• Ensure all communications adhere to FERPA, Title IV, and other applicable federal/state regulations.
• Maintain records of required notices and outreach for audit and internal documentation.
• Track engagement metrics, collect feedback, and continuously improve communication effectiveness.

Benefits

• Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, along with retirement contributions to the Wisconsin Retirement System and 403(b)/457 plan options.
• Employees enjoy paid time off, sick leave, holidays, bereavement leave, and recess periods.
• We offer life and disability insurance, with options for additional coverage.
• Work-life balance is supported through flexible schedules or remote work options (for some positions) and wellbeing programs.
• Professional development opportunities include training, certifications, and tuition reimbursement.
• Additional perks at the Appleton Main Campus include an onsite health and wellbeing clinic, dental clinic, fitness center, Parent/Child Center (onsite child care), library, café, printing services, Trilogy Salon & Spa, and more.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 1,001-5,000 employees