Financial Analyst

Southern Arkansas University; South Carolina; On-site; USD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

Southern Arkansas University seeks a diligent Financial Analyst to manage scholarship eligibility and award calculations for over 1,500 students. You will ensure compliance, accuracy, and effective communication with financial aid partners while utilizing data to enhance organizational processes.

The ideal candidate will possess a related bachelor's degree and solid Excel skills, with an eagerness to contribute to our mission of creating opportunity for hardworking students. Join us in empowering the next generation of college graduates!

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Data Analytics, or related field.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail.
• Highly proficient in MS Excel, especially with nested functions.

Responsibilities

• Verify student eligibility and calculate scholarship awards for over 1,500 students.
• Analyze financial aid data to identify trends and proposals for enhancements.
• Manage the CRM database to improve tracking and reporting.

Skills

MS Excel proficiency

Data analysis

Strong communication skills

Detail-oriented

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, or related field

Tools

CRM software

Job description

Every hard‑working student should have an affordable pathway to attend college and the opportunity to graduate debt‑free. The Meeting Street Scholarship Fund was founded to create opportunities for young people and produce a generation of career‑ready college graduates in South Carolina. High‑achieving students with demonstrated financial need can earn up to $10,000 annually to cover the cost of tuition, fees, housing, and food.

Since 2021, the Scholarship Fund has made college possible for more than 1,500 deserving students. However, the Meeting Street Scholarship is more than financial support. It is a network that empowers students to navigate the college admissions process and thrive on campus by expecting excellence, building community, embracing challenges, and seeking experience.

Who We're Looking For

We exist to change the status quo in higher education, and we seek individuals who strongly align with our mission. We’re looking for individuals who take ownership and care deeply about getting things right for students and stakeholders. This role is well‑suited for someone who can combine analytical rigor with clear communication and who takes pride in being a reliable partner to students and teammates alike.

The Role

The Financial Analyst role is crucial to ensuring that we fulfill our mission of closing the funding gap for every eligible recipient while serving as outstanding stewards of private and public resources. You will ensure the accuracy, integrity, and compliance of individual scholarship awards, student records, and data systems. You'll communicate directly with financial aid partners and recipients, offering guidance on organizational policies and federal, state, and institutional financial aid practices. You'll report directly to the Managing Director and take on ownership of key projects that will strengthen our ability to serve more students with excellence.

This role exists at a moment of growth for our team. As our program expands, we are strengthening the systems, partnerships, and student supports that allow us to scale while maintaining our high standards. You will own key elements of this work and help us write the next chapter of the Scholarship Fund’s story.

What You’ll Do

Recipient Eligibility & Award Calculation

• Verify student eligibility and calculate individual scholarship awards for 1,500+ students each term
• Analyze student financial aid and survey data to identify trends across students and institutions
• Propose changes to enhance existing systems and processes
• Build reports, dashboards, and data visualizations to communicate outcomes and trends
• Serve as a primary point of contact for students and college financial aid offices
• Communicate clearly with students and partners on complex eligibility, award, and financial aid topics
• Coordinate structured outreach at key points in the academic calendar
• Support the design of resources aligned with student needs

Data Systems & Management

• Contribute to high‑priority data projects that enhance our ability to track, analyze, and report on outcomes
• Build and maintain dashboards and systems to more efficiently track program outcomesAnalyze data to identify trends, gaps, and opportunities for improvement
• Manage customer relationship management (CRM) database and software

Who You Are

• Energized by numbers, data, spreadsheets, and chasing down answers
• Committed to our mission of creating opportunity for hard‑working young people
• Enjoy working directly with students while also improving systems behind the scenes
• Communicate proactively and clearly, even when the information is complex or sensitive
• Able to manage multiple priorities with accuracy and composure
• Maintain incredibly high expectations for yourself and others
• Hungry to learn, implement feedback, grow and develop

Qualifications

Required

• A bachelor’s degree in Accounting, Business, Finance, Data Analytics, Information Systems, Nonprofit Management or related field
• Strong written and verbal communication skills and attention to detail
• Highly proficient in MS Excel (particularly nested SUMIF/COUNTIF and VLOOKUP)
• Comfort working with data systems (CRM, spreadsheets or similar tools)

Preferred

• 0‑3 Years of Relevant Experience
• Experience managing a complex project or multiple priorities
• Experience in operations, compliance, or financial processes
• Experience building reports, dashboards, or data visualizations
• Experience working with first‑generation or under‑resourced students
• Familiarity with higher education systems or nonprofit environments
• Experience supporting students or stakeholders across multiple institutions