Compliance Specialist

Ottawa University; Ottawa, Surprise (KS, AZ); Remote; USD 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Job summary

Ottawa University is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to manage Title IV aid processes across multiple sites and programs. You will interpret federal and state regulations, review student applications, and produce accurate award packages while ensuring timely disbursements and compliance.

The role requires collaboration with student services, advisors, and families. You will operate from our Ottawa, Kansas campus with potential coordination across additional campuses.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience required.
• Prior Title IV Financial Aid experience preferred.
• Excellent verbal, written, and mathematics skills.
• Accuracy, organization, and attention to detail are essential.
• Self-starter who can work independently or with others.

Responsibilities

• Email students from JFA system processing documents missing to support the Student Financial Services Advisor.
• Review student application information for completeness and accuracy.
• Reconcile discrepancies and ensure compliance with Federal and State Regulations.
• Implement Federal and State regulations through a thorough knowledge of how they affect student Financial Aid.
• Identify potential problem areas and know what needs to be done to resolve them so the institution remains compliant.
• Participate in webinars and workshops to remain current with Federal and State regulations.
• Monitor and enforce Federal and State regulations governing aid programs at multiple sites.
• Conduct need analysis for each student and develop award packages.
• Determine the amount and timing of student aid disbursements and apply funds to the student’s account.
• Work with student advisors, students and families to ensure timely processing of applications and sufficient funding.
• Review, verify, maintain status of pending loan and grant disbursements.
• Collaborate with others and support workload; communicate effectively and share resources.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Mathematics

Problem solving

Organization

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

Financial aid software

JFA system

Job description

Responsible for understanding and effectively carrying out assigned duties and university student financial aid packaging policies and procedures, associated Federal and State financial aid regulations, and the intricacies of the relationship between the various entities. Emphasis is focused on providing an accurate and effective service to university campuses, departments, employees, and students, in multiple states, and for multiple academic programs. Requires strong problem-solving skills as well as multi-tasking skills and abilities. Communicates regularly with others by phone, e-mail, and in person under limited supervision.Essential Functions:Email students from JFA system processing documents missing to support the Student Financial Services Advisor. Review student application information for completeness and accuracy. Reconcile any discrepancies and ensure compliance with Federal and State Regulations.Implement Federal and State regulations through a thorough knowledge and understanding of how they affect student Financial Aid. Identify potential problem areas and know what needs to be done to resolve them so the institution remains compliant.Participate in webinars and workshops to remain current with Federal and State regulations. Suggest modification to policies and procedures to facilitate changes in regulation.Monitor and enforce Federal and State regulations governing the various Federal, State, Institutional and Campus Based aid programs as they pertain to the institution’s constituencies across multiple sites and academic programs.Conduct need analysis for each student, based on federal and institutional policies, and develop award packages. Determine the amount and timing of student aid disbursements and take the necessary steps to apply funds to the student’s account.Work with student advisors, students and families throughout the process to ensure timely processing of applications and to help ensure that sufficient funding is available when needed.Review, verify, maintain information, and remain current with the status of each student’s pending loan and grant disbursements. Work through any information errors, incomplete documents, or additional hold ups where additional information needs to be applied before disbursement can be released.Work effectively with student financial services advisor; coordinate office responsibilities assuring all required duties are complete and be a team player supporting the workload of those with whom you work as able and needed. Communicate effectively and collaborate with others, share resources.Other duties as assignedRequired Education: Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience requiredRequired Experience: Prior Title IV Financial Aid experience and a 2-5 years general work experience required.Additional Eligibility Requirements:Must be experienced with financial aid technologies and relevant financial aid software applications, including but not limited to oversight of these technologies and applications and the ability to train others.Must be well versed in the operation of standard office equipment.Excellent verbal, written, and mathematics skills.Accuracy, organization, and attention to detail.Self-starter able to work both independently as well as cooperatively.Knowledge of and experience with current personal computer technologies and applications, including standard office functions, spreadsheet programs, word processing programs, relevant web-based applications.Systems- and process-minded (can see the bigger picture).Working Conditions:(Physical attributes required to perform job duties with or without reasonable accommodation - examples: sitting, lifting, bending, driving, environmental factors or elements, noise level, stairs in a building, or other factors that will affect working conditions)Prolonged periods of sitting. Must be able to lift 5-15 pounds at a time. Office building requires daily use of stairs. This position may require evening and weekend activities for certain events and meetings and periodic long hours depending upon business cycle and priorities.Travel Requirements:If travel is required, list type and approximate percentage: No Travel required.Responsible for driving students and University vehicles as part of job duties: NoStandard University Expectations:Be mindful and supportive of the Mission of Ottawa University.Understand and follow the University’s policies and procedures and exercise good judgment accordingly. Assure that University and student information is managed in a confidential and ethical manner in accordance with the University’s Code of Conduct and Ethics.Manage your staff in accordance with University personnel policies. Encourage collaboration among the staff, provide regular evaluation and feedback, and facilitate developmental opportunities.Model and encourage collaboration among University offices and campuses assuring effective communication and operations.Provide leadership through conduct, attitude, and professionalism. Represent the University to students, external groups, faculty, and staff in a way that reflects positively on the University.Exercise inclusivity in your daily actions in accordance with the University’s Mission Statement, Statement of Spiritual Identity, and Statement of Inclusion, Openness, and Community.Our UniversityOttawa University “prepares professional and liberal arts graduates for lifetimes of personal significance, vocational fulfillment, and service to God and humanity” from residential campuses in Ottawa, Kansas (established 1865) and Surprise, Arizona (established 2017) and from professional and online campuses in Kansas City, Phoenix, and Milwaukee.Ottawa University is a regionally accredited, church-related, student-centered, private comprehensive university that strives to integrate faith, learning, and life in the academic experiences of students.This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) incumbent in this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments. All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities. To perform this job successfully, the incumbents will possess the skills, aptitudes, and abilities to perform each duty proficiently. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health or safety of themselves or others. The requirements listed in this document are the minimum levels of knowledge, skills, or abilities. This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise, other than an “at will” relationship.Ottawa University is committed to equal employment opportunity and does not unlawfully discriminate in recruitment or employment on the basis of race, age, sex, color, religion, disability, national origin, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law.