FINANCIAL AID SPECIALIST

FINANCIAL AID SPECIALIST

Position Number: S-3838

Position Summary:

Advises students and families about the financial aid application process, financial aid eligibility and alternative sources of financial assistance. Includes participation in outreach activities and presentations to various internal and external audiences; reviews and resolves financial aid professional judgment appeals; performs institutional quality assurance/verification of financial aid applications; processes various forms of financial aid.

Required Qualifications:

• Associates degree required or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Three years of increasingly responsible work experience of a qualifying nature.
• Strong knowledge of financial aid including general knowledge of federal and State of Michigan financial aid programs and regulations.
• Experience using complex computer systems.
• Ability to maintain accurate records; strong attention to details.
• Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the job.
• Ability to work occasional evening and weekend hours.
• Demonstrated positive interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and project a positive image.
• Ability to perform the essential functions and requirements of the job.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in Financial Aid.
• Public speaking experience.
• Experience using Sigmas Student Aid Management (ProSAM) system and the Campus Management (CM) student information.

Duties & Responsibilities:

• Meets privately with students and their families to explain the financial aid process, advise on alternative sources of aid, and discuss personal concerns and appeals.
• Represents CMUs Office of Scholarship & Financial Aid at various outreach activities such as Admission and Orientation events; may present financial aid interest sessions.
• Reviews and approves/denies professional judgment appeals such as requests from parents to be exempted from borrowing the federal parent loan so that the student has access to additional federal student loan.
• Verifies the accuracy of information supplied by students and parents on the federal aid application (FAFSA); this requires a comparison of a multitude of source documents (tax returns, W-2s, bank statements, etc.) to the FAFSA. Includes adjustments and repackaging aid.
• Adjusts student aid packages due to the receipt of 'outside' aid (e.g., private scholarships and loans).

Supervision Exercised: None.

Employee Group: Supervisory Technical

Staff Pay Level: 6

Pay Range: $18.50 - $28.00 per hour, estimated rate between $18.50 - $21.00 per hour

Division: Student Recruitment & Retention

Department: Scholarships & Financial Aid

Position Status: Regular

Employment Status: Full-Time

FTE: 1.0

Position Type: 12 month

Weekly Work Schedule: Mon-Fri, 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. / weekends and evenings as required.

Location: Mount Pleasant, MI