Financial Aid Specialist – Awarding & Packaging

Covista; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 25,761 - 31,684; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

401k Retirement Program + 6% employer match

15 days of paid vacation annually

12 paid holidays + 2 floating holidays

Job summary

Covista is seeking a Student Finance Analyst in Lisle, Illinois, to support financial aid processing and student success. You will analyze data, collaborate with teams, and ensure compliance with Title IV funding regulations.

This role requires strong analytical and communication skills, a bachelor's degree preferred, and at least two years of relevant experience. The position offers benefits including health insurance and a 401k retirement program with employer matching.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2 years in student accounts or financial aid preferred.
• Experience in an analytical role with a strong emphasis on data-driven decision-making.
• Eligible to maintain access to NSLDS system.

Responsibilities

• Support student finance operations and deliver high-quality assistance.
• Generate and analyze reports to uncover trends.
• Evaluate current processes and recommend improvements.

Skills

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Knowledge of Title IV funding

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Data management applications

Job description

Job Description

Join our team as a Student Finance Analyst and play a meaningful role in supporting student success through accurate, timely, and compliant financial aid processing. In this role, you will contribute to essential student finance operations, including Title IV (TIV) awarding, verification, disbursement, and credit balance processing, helping ensure students have the financial resources they need to succeed.

Working under general direction, you’ll collaborate with internal teams and external partners to deliver high‑quality support with a strong focus on accuracy, compliance, and responsiveness. You’ll also leverage data and reporting to uncover trends, provide actionable insights, and drive continuous improvement across student finance operations.

This is a great opportunity for a detail‑oriented, analytical professional who thrives in a data‑driven environment and is passionate about making a direct impact on student outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Demonstrate a strong working knowledge of processes, procedures, and policies, applying them effectively in day‑to‑day responsibilities.
• Apply advanced Title IV knowledge with minimal guidance, including troubleshooting issues and recommending solutions.
• Generate, analyze, and interpret reports to support student finance operations and informed decision‑making.
• Identify trends within student finance data and conduct root cause analysis to uncover insights and opportunities.
• Proactively anticipate potential risks or questions and communicate recommended solutions to stakeholders.
• Evaluate current processes and procedures, recommending improvements and supporting implementation efforts, including training team members.
• Present report findings and insights to leadership, clearly explaining trends and any anomalies.
• Appropriately elevate concerns or complex issues to leadership when needed.
• Support student finance system or database conversions in partnership with leadership and IT teams.
• Take ownership of key processes, contributing to team success through execution, mentorship, and knowledge‑sharing.
• Maintain accountability for meeting team objectives, deadlines, and service level agreements (SLAs), proactively communicating any risks to timelines.
• Perform additional duties as assigned while ensuring adherence to all organizational policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Experience: Minimum of 2 years of experience in student accounts and/or financial aid is preferred.
• Analytical Background: At least 2 years of experience in an analytical role is preferred, with a strong emphasis on data‑driven decision‑making.
• Technical Expertise:
  • Solid working knowledge of Title IV funding and student finance policies, with the ability to apply regulations in a practical, real‑world setting.
  • Advanced analytical capabilities, including the ability to generate reports, interpret complex data, and translate insights into actionable recommendations.
  • Proficiency in the Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel, along with experience using database and web‑based applications.
• Communication & Problem‑Solving:
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to clearly and effectively convey information to a variety of audiences.
  • Demonstrated ability to proactively solve problems by asking insightful questions, validating information, evaluating alternatives, and maintaining a solution‑focused mindset.
• Compliance:
  • Must be eligible to obtain and maintain access to the NSLDS system (cannot be in default on Title IV federal aid).

Additional Information

In support of the pay transparency laws enacted across the country, the expected salary range for this position is between $18.70 and $23. Actual pay will be adjusted based on job‑related factors permitted by law, such as experience and training; geographic location; licensure and certifications; market factors; departmental budgets; and responsibility. Our Talent Acquisition Team will be happy to answer any questions you may have, and we look forward to learning more about your salary requirements. The position qualifies for the following benefits.

• Health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401k Retirement Program + 6% employer match
• 15 days of paid vacation each calendar year
• 12 paid holidays + 2 floating holidays
• For more information related to our benefits please visit: https://careers.covista.com/benefits

Equal Opportunity – Minority / Female / Disability / V / Gender Identity / Sexual Orientation