Financial Aid State Program Specialist

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Salem (MA); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Salem State University is seeking an experienced Financial Aid Counselor to join our team in Salem, MA, focusing on Massachusetts state aid programs including MASSGrant and OSFA regulations. The role reviews student eligibility, processes awards, and resolves complex packaging issues within the SIS, while supporting reporting, reconciliation, and audit readiness.

The ideal candidate has an associate degree and several years in higher education financial aid, with strong knowledge of state and

Qualifications

• Associate degree.
• Minimum three years of experience in a financial aid office, or five years within higher education administrative offices.
• Knowledge of both Massachusetts and Federal Aid regulations.
• Experience and proficiency with MS office software.
• Bachelor's degree preferred.

Responsibilities

• Review student eligibility for MA state aid programs.
• Process awards and ensure compliance with MAHEAA and OSFA.
• Resolve complex aid packaging issues within the student information system.
• Counsel students and families on state aid processes and appeals.
• Support reporting, reconciliation, and audit-readiness activities.
• Coordinate aid for Salem State Study Abroad and National Student Exchange.

Skills

Massachusetts Aid Regulations

Federal Aid Regulations

MS Office

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PeopleSoft

OSFA systems

COD

NSLDS

FAA Access

Job description

Overview

Financial Aid is seeking an experienced individual to join our counseling team to manage Massachusetts state aid programs, including MASSGrant and other state-funded scholarship initiatives, ensuring accurate awarding and compliance with MAHEAA and OSFA regulations. Day to day, you will review student eligibility, process awards, and resolve complex aid packaging issues within the student information system. You will also serve as a knowledgeable resource for students, families, and campus colleagues navigating state aid processes and appeals, while contributing to the reporting, reconciliation, and audit-readiness activities that keep the office accountable to state and institutional requirements. This position will also be responsible for aid counseling and processing for Salem State's Study Abroad students as well as National Student Exchange.

Required Qualifications

• Associate degree
• Minimum three years of experience in a financial aid office, or five years within higher education administrative offices
• Knowledge of both Massachusetts and Federal Aid regulations
• Experience and proficiency with MS office software

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelors degree
• Strong organizational and time management skills and a high level of attention to detail
• Experience using PeopleSoft
• Experience with Massachusetts State Aid Programs, the Office of Student Financial Assistance (OSFA) systems, and their reporting requirements
• Experience working within Federal Student Aid (FSA) systems such as COD, NSLDS, and FAA Access
• Demonstrated ability to interpret and apply complex federal and state financial aid regulations in a higher education setting

Working Location

This is a hybrid position in Salem, MA with on-campus, in-person responsibilities, which may require occasional work on evenings and weekends.

EEO Statement

The university considers all qualified candidates without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition or any other characteristic protected by law.

ADA Statement

Salem State University complies with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) to provide reasonable accommodation to qualified applicants and employees with disabilities. For accommodation information or requests please email [e-mail].