Financial Aid Specialist

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The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

The Financial Aid Specialist is a critical position requiring knowledge and skills in areas such as federal and state financial aid, other non-federal financial aid (e.g. private loans), and scholarships. The Financial Aid Specialist has the primary responsibility to evaluate withdrawn students to determine the earned/unearned Title IV aid and report necessary awarded adjustments in a timely manner. This position will focus on one of the key areas of federal, state, institutional or private aid, and provides processing support in one of those key areas. This position provides exceptional customer service and follow-up to current and prospective WGU students and staff by evaluating the financial aid applications and requirements determining the amount/configuration of aid packages for students ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies governing financial aid. This position requires that the employee acts as a liaison on behalf of the student with other entities such as state grant departments and other departments within WGU. This position will ensure compliance with the US Department of Education regulations. A qualified individual will thoroughly research student accounts and understand all aspects of financial aid regulations. The Specialist also reassesses packages based on student appeals or revised data to determine any impact on the student's eligibility. They will assist the internal contact center with financial aid inquiries, prepare student awards for processing, ensure that funds are appropriately applied, and perform reconciliation duties.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Collects and analyses financial data on students to determine aid eligibility and create awards within federal and institutional guidelines.
• Processes financial aid with the ability to monitor progress and identify issues that require resolution.
• Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation or information provided by the student.
• Exercises judgment by adjusting or revising costs, contribution, need, or dependency status as exceptions to the prescribed process.
• Work directly with various University offices (Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts) and various external agencies (lenders and guarantee agencies) to resolve related processing and payment issues.
• Maintains current knowledge of federal and state regulations and University policies.
• Reviews NSLDS and COD loan information to assess aid eligibility.
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills providing appropriate and timely responses to students and staff.
• Participates in professional development and training activities as needed or required.
• Completes various reports or projects related to loans, grants, work-study, scholarship, and other aid programs as assigned by supervisor.
• Analyzes various system-generated reports such as grades and enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines.
• Answers questions, inquiries, or requests from internal departments regarding financial aid programs and eligibility.
• Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
• Provides timely communication to the appropriate departmental leader on any issues that may affect the timely processing of student financial aid.
• Prioritize workload while being flexible to meet the daily expectations.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Skill in researching regulatory information and resolving complex financial aid questions.
• Skill in computing complex mathematical formulas.
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products and Windows OS.
• Experience with WGU systems including Banner, SalesForce, and OnBase.
• Experience with ED systems including COD, CPS and NSLDS.
• Strong knowledge of financial aid.
• Ability to work well with others and excel in a team environment.
• Analytical thinking skills with strong attention to detail.
• Good organization and time management.
• Customer service oriented.
• Ability to thrive through change.
• Willingness to travel to attend out of state training conferences and represent WGU.

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Tasks are accomplished by following a defined standard or set of procedures to achieve day to day objectives with direct impact on the area of specialty.
• The work is performed under moderate supervision and consists of routine tasks that may require advice and guidance from more senior personnel in the same area.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Reviews solutions and employs minor adjustments to work methods to solve problems that are routine and typically exist in current work processes and systems.
• May be required to highlight areas of concerns/problems and offer potential solutions.
• Problems and issues faced are generally routine but may require interpretation of procedures or polices to resolve.

Communication and Influence:

• Communication with contacts within the job area is typical, and information that is provided or obtained may require some explanation or interpretation to reach agreement.

Leadership & Talent Management:

• May provide minimal guidance and assistance to new or entry level employees.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• 1 year experience with federal Title IV aid programs

• Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations and WGU Financial Aid policies.
• Must be in good standing with the Department of Education, no loans in default.
• High School Diploma or GED.
• Minimum 3 years of office experience.
• Ability to communicate professionally with students, team, and other departments.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 2+ years experience in Financial Aid
• NASFAA Credentials
• Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Knowledge of Banner, SalesForce, OnBase, and ED websites.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Attendance at conferences, trainings, or other professional development opportunities.

• Some evening and/or weekend hours may be required due to business needs.

Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.