Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist

University Support Services, LLC; Great River (NY); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University Support Services, LLC seeks an Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist to advise Canadian students on financial aid and loans, review documentation, and coordinate with university departments to ensure timely, accurate assistance.

The role emphasizes attention to detail, sound judgment, and ongoing support for SGU and potentially RVU, with regular hours and occasional travel as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least one year of financial aid or scholarship administration experience preferred.

Responsibilities

• Advise Canadian students on federal and provincial financial aid programs, eligibility, applications, and renewals.
• Counsel students on institutional student loan requirements, applications, renewals, financial obligations, and repayment information.
• Assist students with budgeting, financial planning, and understanding their obligations to the University.
• Review changes in enrollment or curriculum and adjust student budgets and aid accordingly.
• Review and process Canadian financial aid applications and supporting documentation within timelines.
• Process institutional loan applications and term renewals; verify documents and coordinate eligibility determinations.
• Maintain accurate student records and confidentiality in systems.
• Identify incomplete applications and communicate outstanding requirements to resolve issues.
• Guide students through the international appeals process, including documentation and presenting to the committee.
• Present information at admissions events and webinars to inform applicants.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, and other departments to exchange information and resolve issues.
• Support daily operations of the office, including administrative tasks and peak-period initiatives.
• Offer core-function coverage to ensure continuous service to applicants and students.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Student counseling

Communication skills

Excel proficiency

Attention to detail

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner system

Microsoft 365

Job description

Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist

Position Objective

The Institutional Student Financial Assistance Specialist provides student-centered advising and operational support for Canadian financial assistance programs and institutional student loans. The Specialist guides students through eligibility, application, renewal, and repayment-related processes; reviews and processes documentation; supports financial assistance appeals; and coordinates with university colleagues to deliver accurate, timely, and professional service. The position requires sound judgment, attention to detail, discretion, and sensitivity to the financial challenges students may experience. The position primarily supports St. George’s University (SGU) and may support Rocky Vista University (RVU) in the future, based on institutional needs.

Essential Functions

Student Advising and Financial Literacy

• Advise Canadian students on applicable federal and provincial financial assistance programs, eligibility requirements, application procedures, and renewals.
• Counsel eligible students on institutional student loan requirements, applications, renewals, financial obligations, and available repayment information.
• Assist students with budgeting, financial planning, and understanding their financial obligations to the University.
• Review changes in student enrollment or curriculum and coordinate appropriate adjustments to student budgets and financial assistance.

Financial Assistance Processing and Administration

• Review and process Canadian financial assistance applications and supporting documentation accurately and within established timelines.
• Process institutional student loan applications and term-by-term renewals, verify required documentation, coordinate eligibility determinations with appropriate colleagues, and complete loan origination activities.
• Maintain accurate student records and documentation in applicable systems, following established procedures and confidentiality requirements.
• Identify incomplete or inconsistent applications, communicate outstanding requirements, and follow through to resolution.

Appeals, Outreach, and Collaboration

• Guide students through the international student financial assistance appeals process, including counseling, application review, collection of supporting documentation, and presentation of appeals to the appropriate committee.
• Present institutional student financial assistance information at admissions events, student information sessions, and webinars.
• Collaborate with Financial Aid, Admissions, Registrar, Bursar, and other university departments to facilitate accurate and timely information exchange and resolve student issues.
• Support daily operations of the Institutional Student Financial Assistance Office, including administrative activities, service requests, and peak-period initiatives.

Other Duties

• Provide coverage for core functions as needed to ensure uninterrupted service to applicants and students.
• Perform other duties and special projects assigned by leadership.

This description is not intended to be all-inclusive. This position may perform other related duties as required to meet the ongoing needs of the department/institution.

Essential Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong interpersonal, student counseling, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply detailed program guidelines, manage high volumes of documentation, and maintain accuracy.
• Strong organizational, quantitative, analytical, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to prioritize competing deadlines, work collaboratively, and provide responsive service in a fast‑paced environment.
• Confidence presenting information to individuals and groups.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and Microsoft 365; familiarity with Banner or comparable student information systems.
• Commitment to confidentiality, attention to detail, and high-quality student service.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required.
• At least one year of financial aid or scholarship administration experience preferred.

Hours and Travel

• Typical schedule is Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., totaling 37.5 hours per week.
• Flexibility to work occasional evenings or weekends during peak periods and to accommodate students in different time zones. Overtime must be approved in accordance with institutional policy and applicable law.
• Travel may be required for admissions events, student-facing initiatives, and other institutional activities.

The anticipated salary for this role is $46,000 - $56,409 per year and may vary and will be determined based on factors such as job knowledge, skills, experience, location, and experience of the candidate. This information is provided per local law.

USS is an equal opportunity employer. As such, it is company policy to fill positions with qualified candidates regardless of race, color, sex (including sexual orientation and gender presentation), age, religion, ancestry, national origin, citizenship status, pregnancy, marital status, medical condition, genetic information, disability, status in the Uniformed Services of the United States (including veteran status) or status as a victim of domestic violence, except where there is a bona fide occupational qualification. This policy protects applicants and employees from discrimination in the hiring process.