Loan/FWS Specialist

Job Details

Loan/FWS Specialist

SUMMARY

Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana (SUSLA) is accepting applications for the Loan/FWS Specialist position within the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship. SUSLA is a comprehensive community college serving Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding areas in Northwest Louisiana. It is one of five campuses constituting the Historically Black Southern University System. The University serves approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and offers 32 undergraduate degrees and certificate programs in a variety of fields including Allied Health, Nursing, Aerospace Technology, Business Studies, Behavioral Science/Education and Science & Technology.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

The Financial Aid Office is seeking a detail-oriented Financial Aid Loan/FWS Specialist to provide comprehensive financial aid support and guidance to new and continuing students. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, this position serves as the primary coordinator and point of contact for the Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Loan programs, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.

Key responsibilities include awarding and administering work-study and loan funds, delivering financial aid counseling to students and families, managing communications with students and parents, and supporting Banner system processes to ensure accurate and timely aid delivery.

Specific Duties are:

• Serve as the primary federal work study and federal direct loan point of contact for current and prospective students, determining eligibility for work-study, awarding work-study, and monitoring earnings for all student work-study employees on campus.
• Administer assigned programs in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV, state program awards and regulations, and FERPA
• Counsel and advise students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, program costs, and indebtedness
• Complete error reports to ensure that federal work study and federal direct loans are issued in a timely manner and in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations
• Notify students of changes in the eligibility of aid offers and alternatives to amend the situation, if any
• Use enhanced internal and external communication systems to inform students and parents about aid offers and departmental, institutional, and system-wide policies and procedures
• Provide financial literacy presentations and informational sessions on campus and within the community
• Conduct audit file reviews each semester
• Monitor Common Origination Disbursement for incoming Direct Parent PLUS loan requests and award applicable loans as needed, following up with parents if credit decisions are approved
• Provide ongoing training, guidance, and supervision to financial aid student employees for accurate dissemination of financial aid information to other students and parents.
• Collaborate with other departments for campus outreach and registration events to ensure that recruitment, enrollment, and retention goals are met
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree
• Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills
• Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work independently as well as with students, parents, and colleagues
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite and experience in financial aid database systems
• Must be dependable and able to maintain confidentiality in data collection.
• Must possess a high level of accuracy, self-motivation, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle a heavy workload in a fast-paced environment
• Familiarity with academic environment, policies, and procedures

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Prior knowledge or experience in postsecondary educational assistance processes such as advising, financial aid, registration, and admissions
• Specific knowledge or experience in financial aid and Banner Financial Aid module

TYPE: Full-time

COMPENSATION: $43,888 annually

APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications begins May 15, 2026 and continues until position is filled.