Financial Aid Analyst

Commonwealth of VA Careers; Virginia; On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern VA Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Analyst to support federal, state and institutional financial aid programs. The role includes documentation, reporting, and program assessment to ensure compliant awarding of aid.

The analyst will evaluate applications, stay current with regulations, resolve discrepancies, and assist in areas like Consortium Agreements and Study Abroad, while maintaining accuracy and integrity of financial aid records.

Qualifications

• Ability to interpret rules, regulations and standards established by College, state and federal entities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to make decisions and work independently.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Familiarity with computer applications related to financial aid as well as student information systems. Flexibility and willingness to learn and adapt to the ever-changing world of financial aid.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with proficiency of syntax and grammar.
• Knowledge of PeopleSoft student information system, proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook), and scanning software.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations
• Knowledge of student loan procedures
• Ability to maintain accurate and auditable financial aid records
• Ability to participate as a team member
• Ability to work with detail and follow established procedures

Responsibilities

• Evaluate financial aid application to determine appropriate packaging of aid based on standardized institutional, state, and federal guidelines and procedures.
• Keep abreast of all state and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines governing various types of financial aid.
• Review and resolve discrepancies/conflicting information to accurately determine student aid eligibility according to regulatory requirements.
• Authenticate financial aid information to complete the review of the financial aid application and facilitate the awarding process.
• Assists in one or more of the major areas of financial aid, specifically Consortium Agreements and Study Abroad.
• Adjusts awards by determining the student’s adjusted aid eligibility, ensuring accuracy and communicating adjustments, as appropriate.
• Comprehensive experience and knowledge in state, federal and institutional financial aid programs, including higher-level knowledge of federal work-study and student loans.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Time management

Communication

Teamwork

Regulatory interpretation

Adaptability

Microsoft Office

PeopleSoft

Tools

PeopleSoft

Microsoft Office Suite

Scanning software

Job description

Title: Financial Aid Analyst

Agency: Northern VA Community College

Location: Fairfax County - 059

FLSA: Nonexempt

Hiring Range: $55,000/yr

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description

The Financial Aid Analyst will provide student service regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Analyst will assist in the preparation of financial aid process documentation, reporting, and program assessment. This position will be responsible for document review and verification, needs analysis, awarding of financial aid and monitoring of awards, while ensuring to maintain financial compliance requirements.

Duties and Tasks

• Evaluate financial aid application to determine appropriate packaging of aid based on standardized institutional, state, and federal guidelines and procedures.
• Keep abreast of all state and federal rules, regulations, and guidelines governing various types of financial aid.
• Review and resolve discrepancies/conflicting information to accurately determine student aid eligibility according to regulatory requirements.
• Authenticate financial aid information to complete the review of the financial aid application and facilitate the awarding process.
• Assists in one or more of the major areas of financial aid, specifically Consortium Agreements and Study Abroad.
• Adjusts awards by determining the student’s adjusted aid eligibility, ensuring accuracy and communicating adjustments, as appropriate.

Essential Functions

• Comprehensive experience and knowledge in state, federal and institutional financial aid programs, including higher-level knowledge of federal work-study and student loans.

Minimum Qualifications (Required KSAs)

• Ability to interpret rules, regulations and standards established by College, state and federal entities.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Ability to make decisions and work independently.
• Strong customer service orientation.
• Familiarity with computer applications related to financial aid as well as student information systems. Flexibility and willingness to learn and adapt to the ever-changing world of financial aid.
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with proficiency of syntax and grammar.
• Ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure;
• Ability to work well with students, staff and other offices for successful resolution of difficult problems.
• Knowledge of People Soft student information system, proficiency in Microsoft Office (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, and Outlook), and scanning software.
• Knowledge of federal and state regulations
• Knowledge of student loan procedures
• Ability to maintain accurate and auditable financial aid records
• Ability to participate as a team member
• Ability to work with detail and follow established procedures

Minimum Qualifications

• Experience working in student services, financial aid office, or equivalent.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite tools.
• Experience in coordinating office tasks and managing multiple projects.

Additional Considerations

• Experience reconciling and balancing financial accounts.
• Experience in a financial aid office coordinating workflow, and interpreting and implementing state and federal programs.
• Experience organizing, tracking and reporting information with specific attention to detail.