Senior Student Support Specialist

University of Missouri, St. Louis; Clayton (MO); On-site; USD 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

Retirement benefits

Educational fee discounts

Job summary

University of Missouri, St. Louis is seeking a Senior Student Support Specialist to lead and coordinate financial aid and scholarship administration within the Student Financial Aid office. The role involves advising students and families, developing financial literacy programs, and producing program reports.

The position emphasizes strong knowledge of financial aid processes, data coordination, and collaboration with campus departments to ensure timely and accurate services.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience.

Responsibilities

• Administer and coordinate one or more major federal and/or institutional financial aid programs.
• Advise students, prospective students, and families regarding financial aid options, eligibility, awards, and resources.
• Manage awarding and distribution of scholarships and related notifications.
• Develop, implement, and maintain a financial literacy program for student understanding of costs.
• Prepare reports reflecting the status, activity, and outcomes of assigned financial aid and scholarship programs.

Skills

Student Service

Financial Aid Knowledge

Analytical Problem-Solving

Planning and Coordination

Communication and Collaboration

Judgment and Process Improvement

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Job description

Hiring Department

Student Financial Aid

Job Description

Job Summary

Leads and coordinates one or more programs or functional areaswithin the student support system, with primary responsibility forfinancial aid and scholarship administration. Reviews, analyzes,evaluates, and processes student information to determine financialaid eligibility and awards; advises students, prospective students,and families regarding financial aid options and requirements;develops financial literacy programming; and prepares programreports. Serves as a liaison with internal departments and externalparties to support accurate, timely, and effective studentservices.

Primary Responsibilities

Financial Aid Program Administration - 20%

• Administer and coordinate one or more major federal and/orinstitutional financial aid programs in accordance with applicablerequirements and established procedures.
• Review and analyze student information, determine financial needand eligibility, and award financial assistance.
• Maintain a strong working knowledge of financial aid processes,programs, and requirements to support accurate and timelyadministration.
• Coordinate financial aid records and data-processing activities,as assigned, to promote accurate information and effective programoperations.

Student and Family Advising - 25%

• Advise students, prospective students, and parents or familiesregarding financial aid programs, eligibility, applicationrequirements, awards, and available resources.
• Meet individually with students to discuss finances, financialaid options, and strategies for addressing educational costs.
• Provide responsive, student-centered service to individualsvisiting or contacting the office and explain detailed informationin a clear and accessible manner.

Scholarship Administration - 30%

• Manage the awarding and distribution of scholarships and relatednotifications.
• Serve as a liaison among students, campus departments, and otherstakeholders to coordinate scholarship processes and resolveissues.
• Review scholarship information and records for completeness,accuracy, and alignment with established criteria.

Financial Literacy Programming - 15%

• Develop, implement, and maintain a financial literacy programthat supports student understanding of personal finances andeducational costs.
• Create or coordinate educational resources, presentations, andoutreach activities related to financial literacy and financialaid.
• Evaluate program needs and identify opportunities to improvestudent engagement and effectiveness.

Reporting, Policy, and Process Improvement - 10%

• Prepare reports reflecting the status, activity, and outcomes ofassigned financial aid and scholarship programs.
• Research and analyze complex or atypical data, identify keyissues and patterns, and communicate findings to appropriatestakeholders.
• Recommend financial aid policies and operating procedures, asappropriate, and use discretion to modify work practices orprocesses to improve efficiency and results.
• Plan, organize, and coordinate work to support the quality,timeliness, and effectiveness of the team.

As with all positions, may perform other job-relatedresponsibilities as needed to support departmental and campus-wideneeds.

Core Competencies

• Student Service
• Financial Aid Knowledge
• Analytical Problem-Solving
• Planning and Coordination
• Communication and Collaboration
• Judgment and Process Improvement

Working Conditions & Physical Requirements

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regularinteraction with students, prospective students, families, campusdepartments, and external parties. The role requires regular use ofa computer and review of detailed financial and student records.The position involves sustained attention to accuracy, managementof competing priorities, and communication of detailed or sensitiveinformation.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no formal supervisory responsibilities for thisposition.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education andexperience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparableknowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Financial aid experience

Anticipated Hiring Range

$21.64

Grade: GGS-008

University Title: SENIOR STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST

Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for thisposition.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of yourtotal compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefitspackage, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement,paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parentalleave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for allfour UM System campuses. For additional information on Universitybenefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at https://www.umsystem.edu/departments-staff/human-resources/benefits-retirement

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of HumanResources at [e-mail].