Federal Programs Analyst

Office of Financial Aid

Exempt, Regular, 100% Full-Time, Pay Grade 1.3

Stateside Hybrid

The Federal Program Analyst will perform various tasks to ensure federal program compliance with respect to awarding, disbursement, and reconciliation. This position will be responsible for evaluating discrepancies and troubleshooting transmission and disbursement issues within all programs managed by the Federal Program Operations unit including Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loan, Institutional Grant, and Private loan. The Federal Program Analyst will provide exceptional service to learners and parents by troubleshooting, remedying, and counseling on financial aid processes and eligibility requirements.

Must be able to meet and maintain access requirements for secure federal and/or state websites, such as the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS). Individuals cannot currently be in default on a student loan.

SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES INCLUDE:

• Analyze origination, disbursement and final reconciliation transmissions and discrepancies within the federal direct loan, federal Pell grant, and private loan programs to retransmit and resolve discrepancies accurately.
• Process returned refunds and state cancelled checks in line with federal cash management rules.
• Review complex federal aid situations and assist other units within UMGC and/or outside the university with feasible solutions.
• Use ELM Resources to proactively certify and award private loans, address delays in the receipt of funding, resolve discrepancies, and ensure disbursement of funds in line with the lender's requirements.
• Monitor Federal Program Operations unit PeopleSoft queries and other pertinent reports to proactively award PLUS loans, address delays in processing of federal aid, resolve inaccuracies with federal awards, track disbursement of federal aid, and ensure that basic eligibility requirements are met for the disbursement of federal direct loans and federal Pell grants.
• Provide exceptional service to learners and parents by troubleshooting, remedying, and counseling on financial aid processes and eligibility requirements.
• Identify areas of enhancement, assist with revising, and maintaining business process guides related to Federal Program Operations.
• Maintain current knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations, state rules, and institutional policies.
• Other job-related duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

• Bachelor's Degree
• 4 years of experience and 1-2 years of experience in FA aid.
• Working knowledge of Title IV regulations and programs.
• Excellent level of attention to detail and accuracy.
• Excellent interpersonal, verbal, and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience with computerized office systems including but not limited to Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook.
• Demonstrated ability to prioritize and manage multiple administrative tasks with minimal oversight.
• Demonstrated experience providing customer service in a timely and proficient manner.
• Must be able to meet and maintain access requirements for secure federal and/or state websites, such as the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).

PREFERRED EDUCATION EXPERIENCE:

• Professional experience working with non-traditional learners in a culturally diverse environment.
• In-depth knowledge of Title IV regulations as they pertain to federal Pell grant and direct loan programs.
• Functional experience with PeopleSoft and Sales Force.
• Proficient understanding of NSLDS and COD systems.

All submissions should include a cover letter and resume.