Coordinator/ Financial Aid Processing Specialist

Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State University is seeking a Coordinator/ Financial Aid Processing Specialist to support the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships in Baton Rouge. The role involves interpreting and entering verification items, resolving discrepancies, and communicating conflicts with students and families.

You will perform Title IV fund calculations, monitor refunds, and assist with special circumstances while providing guidance on federal and state financial aid programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required or equivalent experience with verifiable records.
• Experience interpreting/entering verification documentation.
• Familiarity with FAFSA/Title IV funds preferred.

Responsibilities

• Interpret and enter verification action items for admitted/continuing students.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies between self-reported data and documents.
• Communicate conflicts identified in verification process and resolution steps.
• Perform calculations for returning Title IV funds within ED timelines.
• Monitor posting of refunds for Title IV funds returned by students.
• Process special circumstances and independent status petitions.
• Counsel students on federal/state financial aid programs.
• Assist with overaward resolutions and program adjustments.
• Represent LSU in professional settings and events as needed.

Skills

Active Listening

Communication

Confidentiality

Critical Thinking

Customer-Focused

Decision Making

Policy Knowledge

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Job Posting Title

Coordinator/ Financial Aid Processing Specialist

Position Type

Professional / Unclassified

Department

LSUAM AA - EM - Rec - FAS - FA - Operations (Morgan Trapen Tannehill (00001127))

Work Location

1138 Ruffin G. Pleasant Hall

Pay Grade

Professional

Job Description

The Financial Aid Processing Specialist position within Louisiana State University’s Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships will play a key collaborative role in advancing the university and meeting the student access objectives. The individual, with general oversight from the Senior Coordinator of Operations, will be responsible for assisting with interpreting and entering verification documents, communicating conflicts identified in the verification process, performing calculations for Return of Title IV funds and communicating with current and prospective students and families.

Financial Aid Operations (80%)

• Interpret and enter verification action items to admitted and continuing students.
• Identify and resolve discrepancies in self-reported information against actual documentation for the pool selected for verification.
• Communicate conflicts identified in the verification process and information needed for resolution.
• Interpret subsequent transactions of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) that may be received for a student to determine if conflicts exist. If conflicts exist, request the appropriate verification action item on the student’s account and communicate the conflict.
• Perform calculations in accordance with the regulations for the returning of Title IV funds to the appropriate programs within the time frame allotted by the Department of Education.
• Responsible for monitoring posting of refunds for any Title IV funds returned to the Department of Education by a student officially or unofficially resigning and have received federal student aid.
• Processes the ‘special circumstances’ and ‘petitions for independent status’ upon completion from the financial aid counselor.

Financial Aid Counseling (10%)

• Counsels and advises prospective and enrolled students in all matters pertaining to federal and state financial aid programs, including but not limited to Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Direct Loan Programs. This interaction may include phone, in-person, or written contacts.
• Assist with identifying and/or resolving overaward situations and making the appropriate adjustments to financial aid programs.

Special projects as assigned (10%)

• Serves as a rotating member of the satisfactory academic progress appeals committee.
• Represent LSU and the Office of Enrollment Management & Student Success at professional functions and recruiting events.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree Meets eligibility to obtain National Student Loan Database System access and must not be in default on a student loan. LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in financial aid or equivalent student services setting in higher education.
• Knowledge of best practices in financial aid
• Strong team orientation, effective interpersonal skills, and superior written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to data-driven decision-making, including effective analytical skills and proven results in achieving objectives and goals.

Special Qualifications

• As with all LSU employees, due to this position title and/or responsibilities, this position has an obligation to assist students in the acquisition of necessary services. Should a student appear in need of or seek assistance with issues of an emotional, behavioral, or mental health related matter they should be referred to the proper service within the Student Health Center.
• In situations where the student creates an impression that they are a danger to themselves or others, the advisor should immediately contact the Care Team, the Dean of Students or the appropriate law enforcement agency.
• The employee outside of those rights contained within FERPA should create no impression of client or patient confidentiality.

Location

The location of this position is LSU-BR and is not eligible for remote work.

Skills Needed

Active Listening, Communication, Confidentiality, Critical Thinking, Customer-Focused, Decision Making, Policy Knowledge, Time Management

Posting Date

October 29, 2026

Closing Date

February 26, 2027

Background Check

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• LSU offers outstanding benefits to eligible employees and their dependents including health, life, dental, and vision insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement options; various leave options; paid holidays; wellness benefits; tuition exemption for qualified positions; training and development opportunities; employee discounts; and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana will be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

Essential Position (Y/N)

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Eligibility

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment. Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

HCM Contact Information

For questions or concerns related to updating your application with attachments (e.g., resumes, RS:17 documents), date of birth, or reactivating applications, please contact the LSU Human Resources Management Office at 225-578-8200 or email [e-mail].

Contact

For questions or concerns regarding the status of your application or salary ranges, please contact the department using the information provided in the Special Instructions section of this job posting.

About LSU

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into their daily lives. LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others. Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space- grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.