Financial Aid Specialist

Vets Hired; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 52,000 - 72,000; Full time

Job summary

Vets Hired in San Diego, CA is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to support students through FAFSA, eligibility, and disbursement. You will maintain records, coordinate with Finance, and ensure regulatory compliance.

The role requires a bachelor’s degree and at least 1 year of financial aid experience, with strong communication and attention to detail. On-site position with opportunities to contribute to audits and process improvements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, finance, education, accounting, or related field.
• 1+ year of financial aid administration experience, including Title IV programs.
• Working knowledge of FAFSA, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, verification, and MPNs.
• Experience with a student information or financial aid system.
• Strong Excel, Outlook, and Word skills.
• Excellent accuracy, organization, and ability to handle multiple priorities.

Responsibilities

• Respond to student financial aid inquiries by email, phone, and in person.
• Guide students through FAFSA completion, eligibility, documentation, and MPN requirements.
• Follow up on missing documentation and resolve processing delays.
• Review financial aid files for completeness and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with financial aid applications, verification, and processing.
• Maintain accurate student financial aid records and information.
• Prepare financial aid reports and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate disbursements with Finance and reconcile student accounts.
• Investigate discrepancies between aid records and student accounts.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, and regulatory reporting.
• Collaborate with Registrar, Admissions, and Student Services to meet deadlines.
• Stay current on financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Protect confidential student and financial information.

Skills

Student service orientation

Attention to detail

Problem-solving

Written and verbal communication

Regulatory compliance

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, education, accounting, or a related field

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Populi

Job description

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist supports students throughout the financial aid process, from FAFSA completion through disbursement. The role assists with financial aid applications, eligibility requirements, documentation, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. It also involves maintaining accurate student records, coordinating disbursements and reconciliations with the Finance Department, resolving discrepancies, and providing timely student support.

Key Responsibilities

• Respond to student financial aid inquiries by email, phone, and in person.
• Guide students through FAFSA completion, eligibility requirements, documentation, entrance counseling, and Master Promissory Note (MPN) requirements.
• Follow up on missing documentation and resolve issues that could delay financial aid processing or disbursement.
• Review financial aid files for completeness, accuracy, and regulatory compliance.
• Assist with financial aid applications, verification, and related processing requirements.
• Maintain accurate student financial aid records and information.
• Prepare financial aid reports, correspondence, and supporting documentation.
• Coordinate with Finance on disbursements, student account balances, refunds, credit balances, and reconciliations.
• Investigate discrepancies between financial aid records and student accounts.
• Support audits, compliance reviews, regulatory reporting, and other departmental projects.
• Collaborate with the Registrar, Admissions, Student Services, and other departments to meet student needs and institutional deadlines.
• Stay current on financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Protect confidential student and financial information.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business administration, finance, education, accounting, or a related field.
• At least 1 year of experience in financial aid administration, including supporting Title IV programs.
• Working knowledge of Federal Student Aid programs and regulations, including FAFSA, Pell Grants, Direct Loans, verification, entrance counseling, and MPNs.
• Familiarity with Federal Student Aid systems, such as COD, NSLDS, and StudentAid.gov.
• Experience using a student information or financial aid management system.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Outlook, and Word.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and a student-service orientation.
• Excellent accuracy, organization, attention to detail, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet regulatory deadlines.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Populi.
• Experience coordinating financial aid disbursements, refunds, credit balances, and reconciliations with Finance or Student Accounts.
• Experience supporting financial aid audits, compliance reviews, or regulatory reporting.