Financial Aid Specialist

McNeese State University; Lake Charles (LA); In loco; USD 32.000 - 40.000; Tempo pieno

Descrizione del lavoro

McNeese State University in Lake Charles, LA invites qualified applicants for the Financial Aid Specialist role in the Office of Financial Aid. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified position with immediate availability.

The Specialist manages federal loan processing, COD reporting, entrance counseling, and Master Promissory Notes, disbursements for undergraduates and graduates, and collaborates with divisions to ensure compliant financial aid delivery.

Competenze

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to handle confidential information professionally.

Mansioni

• Assist with federal financial aid programs, including loan processing and disbursement.
• Counsel borrowers by phone and in person regarding loan requirements and responsibilities.
• Monitor and report on loan activity, including COD submissions and NSLDS discrepancies.
• Coordinate with campus departments and lenders to ensure accurate financial aid data.

Conoscenze

Interpersonal communication

Detail oriented

Organizational skills

Confidentiality

Formazione

Bachelor’s degree

Strumenti

MS Office

Student information systems

Banner/Ellucian knowledge

Internet research

Descrizione del lavoro

McNeese State University invites qualified applicants to apply for the position of Financial Aid Specialist in the Office of Financial Aid. This is a full-time, 12-month, unclassified position. The appointment is available immediately.

Vacant Positions Available: 2

Position Numbers: U99879 & U99093

SALARY: $36,000

DEADLINE: Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until filled.

CONTACT INFORMATION:

IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS REGARDING THIS POSITION, PLEASE CONTACT THE CHAIR:

Katie Starling at [e-mail]

Office of Human Resources:

Kim Dronett, HR Analyst / Recruitment Liaison at [e-mail].

The Financial Aid Specialist reports to the Assistant Director for Loans and works closely with all units within the division of Enrollment Management. Responsible for functions related to loan processing. Duties and responsibilities include:

• Acquire and maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of guidelines and eligibility requirements associated with all federal financial aid programs including the awarding, originating acceptance, and disbursement of federal loan programs, researching Federal Regulations for guidance if necessary.

• Monitor NASFAA News and FSA Partner Connect website for updates such as Electronic Announcements, Dear Colleague Letters, etc.
• Counsel borrowers by phone and through office visits regarding federal loan requirements and their responsibilities while enrolled or out of school.
• Maintain the office in the absence of the Assistant Director.
• Review student need analysis applications, determine eligibility, and award student loans in accordance with federal regulations.
• Originate $17+ million in Federal Direct student loans annually, complying with federal regulations.
• Transmit loan information electronically to the US Department of Education (ED) Common Origination and Disbursement system (COD) in a timely manner.
• Ensure students have completed their entrance counseling and Master Promissory Notes electronically prior to disbursement per federal regs.
• Disburse federal student loans for undergraduate and graduate students, balancing complex reports with the COD system efficiently and accurately to ensure the accurate posting of loan funds to students’ accounts.
• Certify and process approximately $1 million in alternative loan funds annually. Act as contact for Great Lakes Higher Education’s Scholar Net system. Disburse received roster funds into student accounts.
• Act as liaison between students, private loan lenders and disbursing agent.
• Adjust student loans to maximize available gift aid students are eligible for.
• Train Student Central specialists on loan regulations and policy changes.
• Act as liaison to all Enrollment Management departments and the Business Office regarding guidance for prospective and current students’ financial aid eligibility and requirements as well as account questions.
• Monitor defaulted loans using the National Student Loan Database System (NSLDS)and post holds to students’ accounts. Review any documentation provided by borrowers that would clear their account hold.
• Research and resolve NSLDS discrepancies via daily post screening report.
• Assist with researching and resolving origination errors within Banner or COD.
• Test any updates to Banner software system that relate to loan processing.
• Manually award student loans for students enrolled in the summer semester.
• Act as backup to generating and managing the end of the year report.
• Act as backup for the process of electronic file transmission in EDConnect.
• Serve as backup to sending Grace Counseling file to Inceptia, to notify students that do not re-enroll for the following semester or cease to be enrolled at least half time, in accordance with the federal regulations.
• Scan and index documents to Banner Document Management (BDM) in batches.
• Prorate student loan awards for fall graduates per federal regulations.
• Participate in various campus events that require financial aid personnel.
• Keep various daily reports (loan fee, loan limit, etc) up to date and accurate.

• Present financial aid/FAFSA information- may be outside of regular office hours.
• Promote and support the University through participation in events outside of the typical workday such as Preview Days, Commitment Days, tabling events, etc.
• Represent McNeese State University Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships at conferences (in person and virtual) webinars, and other meetings
• Maintain daily, monthly and annual procedures related to all duties.
• Comply with all office attendance and leave policies
• Other duties as assigned by the Assistant Director for Loans

Required:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or an equivalent combination of education and related experience
• Friendly, cheerful disposition and positive attitude. Service-oriented and able to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to handle confidential information in a professional manner
• Elevated level of initiative and self-motivation
• Commitment to providing the highest-level quality service to a diverse group of individuals
• Proficient in MS Office, student information systems, social media, and education-related technologies; able to obtain information from reliable sources on the internet
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple tasks with competing priorities and deadlines
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
• Detail oriented with strong organizational, analytical, and problem-solving skills

Preferred:

• Strong technological skills
• Experience working in higher education
• Experience with Ellucian Banner
• An understanding of Federal Financial Aid programs

McNeese State University, located in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is a public university and a member of the University of Louisiana System. Under Louisiana law, applications and all supporting materials will become public record. All applicants are expected to submit complete and accurate materials as specified in the position announcement. A background check and an English Proficiency assessment (Faculty Only) will be conducted on selected finalists. We comply with Louisiana Revised Statute 49:1001, et seq, and State of Louisiana Executive Order 98-38, which provides for drug testing of employees, appointees, prospective employees, and prospective appointees. Prospective employees and employees are informed if a drug test is required.

McNeese State University is an AA/EEO/ADA employer committed to excellence through diversity and a SAME agency (State as a Model Employer for People with Disabilities) for the State of Louisiana.

Persons needing reasonable accommodations as provided by the Americans with Disabilities Act should contact the ADA Coordinator, Dr. Desmond Wallace, Office of Inclusive Excellence: Voice: [phone]; TDD/TTY, Hearing Impaired: [phone]; or [e-mail].

The Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986 requires McNeese State University to inform applicants that the University can employ only U.S. citizens and aliens lawfully authorized to work in the U.S. Each new employee is required to present documentation verifying his/her identity and right to accept employment. McNeese participates in E-Verify.

Louisiana Revised Statute 42:31‑“Eligibility requirements for certain unclassified employees” requires any person hired or employed in an unclassified position, whose annual salary or rate of compensation is equal to or exceeds one hundred thousand dollars, provide proof to his public employer that he has been issued a Louisiana driver’s license and that all vehicles registered in his name are registered in Louisiana within thirty days of being hired or employed at such salary.

Transcripts from Foreign Universities: Prospective faculty submitting transcripts from foreign universities or schools must have the coursework evaluated for equivalency to United States-accredited coursework by a university-approved agency. The prospective faculty member is responsible for the cost of the evaluation. McNeese typically accepts evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org) or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.www.ece.org.