Specialist, Student Financial Assistance

Northern Kentucky University; Cold Spring (KY); On-site; USD 19,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Northern Kentucky University is seeking a Processing Specialist within Financial Assistance to support the administration of federal, state, institutional, and donor-funded aid programs and to process records with accuracy and regulatory compliance.

The role collaborates with students, families, campus partners, and external agencies to ensure efficient service delivery and high-quality support throughout the financial aid lifecycle.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of administrative support, records processing, compliance, customer service, financial aid, higher education, or a related field.
• Experience working with computerized information systems and data entry processes.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to accurately process high-volume transactions.

Responsibilities

• Process financial aid transactions, records, and documentation in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.
• Review financial aid applications, verification materials, and supporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, and compliance.
• Maintain and update student records within university systems, ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and resolve discrepancies related to financial aid eligibility, packaging, awards, and student records.
• Communicate with students, families, and campus partners regarding financial aid requirements, processes, and deadlines through in-person, phone, email, and virtual channels.
• Assist in the administration of federal, state, institutional, and scholarship aid programs.
• Support processing activities related to verification, satisfactory academic progress, professional judgment, dependency overrides, and other aid eligibility determinations, as assigned.
• Collaborate with colleagues and campus partners (Admissions, Student Account Services the Registrar's Office, and other university offices) to provide coordinated student support.
• Participate in peak processing periods and assist with special projects, audits, reporting requirements, and compliance reviews.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and support implementation of efficiencies that enhance service and operational effectiveness.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordance with FERPA and applicable regulations.

Skills

Attention to detail

Customer service

Communication skills

Data entry

FERPA compliance

Education

High school diploma or GED

Associate's or Bachelor's degree

Tools

Workday

Banner

Student information systems

Job description

Position Title

Specialist, Student Financial Assistance

Position Type

Regular

About the Role

Northern Kentucky University invites applications for a ProcessingSpecialist within Financial Assistance. This position plays acritical role in supporting the administration of federal, state,institutional financial aid and foundation/donor funded programsthrough accurate processing, record maintenance, compliance review,and student support.

The Processing Specialist works collaboratively with students,families, campus partners, and external agencies to ensureefficient service delivery and adherence to regulatoryrequirements.

The Processing Specialist supports financial aid operations byprocessing student aid records, reviewing documentation,maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations, andassisting students throughout the financial aid lifecycle. Thisposition also provides season support to foundation donor fundedaid processing. This position requires strong attention to detail,customer service skills, and the ability to manage high-volumetransactional work in a fast-paced environment.

Primary Responsibilities

• Process financial aid transactions, records, and documentationin accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulationsand policies.
• Review financial aid applications, verification materials, andsupporting documentation for completeness, accuracy, andcompliance.
• Maintain and update student records within university systems,ensuring data integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Monitor and resolve discrepancies related to financial aideligibility, packaging, awards, and student records.
• Communicate with students, families, and campus partnersregarding financial aid requirements, processes, and deadlinesthrough in-person, phone, email, and virtual channels.
• Assist in the administration of federal, state, institutional,and scholarship aid programs.
• Support processing activities related to verification,satisfactory academic progress, professional judgment, dependencyoverrides, and other aid eligibility determinations, asassigned.
• Collaborate with colleagues and campus partners (Admissions,Student Account Services the Registrar's Office, and otheruniversity offices) to provide coordinated student support.
• Participate in peak processing periods and assist with specialprojects, audits, reporting requirements, and compliancereviews.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement and supportimplementation of efficiencies that enhance service and operationaleffectiveness.
• Maintain confidentiality of student information in accordancewith FERPA and applicable regulations.

Minimum Qualifications

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Two years of experience in administrative support, recordsprocessing, compliance, customer service, financial aid, highereducation, or a related field.
• Experience working with computerized information systems anddata entry processes.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to accuratelyprocess high-volume transactions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree.
• Experience working in financial aid, student services, highereducation, banking, insurance, compliance, or a similarly regulatedenvironment.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations andprograms.
• Experience using student information systems, Workday, Banner,or related enterprise systems.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiplepriorities while meeting deadlines.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communicationskills.
• Ability to interpret and apply policies, procedures, andregulatory requirements.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Commitment to providing exceptional customer service.
• Ability to exercise discretion and maintainconfidentiality.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a teamenvironment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and electronicrecord systems.

Why Join NKU

Northern Kentucky University is a student-ready, regionally engagedinstitution committed to transforming lives through education.Financial Assistance plays a vital role in helping students accessand afford a college education. This position offers theopportunity to make a meaningful impact by supporting studentsuccess while ensuring responsible stewardship of financial aidresources.

Posted Salary

$16.74 per hour