STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALIST

Ithaca College; Town of Ithaca (NY); On-site; USD 40,000 - 48,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Healthcare benefits

Paid Time Off

Retirement Savings Plan

Flexible Work Plans

Educational Benefits

Career-Enhancing Trainings

Job summary

The Student Financial Services Specialist at Ithaca College serves as the first point of contact for students and families regarding financial aid and student accounts. This role requires effective communication and organization as the Specialist processes transactions, responds to inquiries, and maintains accurate records.

Working in a collaborative environment, the Specialist must demonstrate professionalism and uphold confidentiality while aiding students in navigating financial processes and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to three years of relevant experience.
• Ability to communicate clearly and provide respectful, responsive service.
• Experience using common office applications.

Responsibilities

• Serve as an initial resource for financial aid programs and billing.
• Process student account transactions and maintain accurate records.
• Prepare reports and maintain student information systems.

Skills

Communication

Customer Service

Confidentiality

Organizational Skills

Problem Solving

Financial Aid Knowledge

Education

High school diploma

Tools

Spreadsheets

Word Processing

Student Information System

Job description

Position Summary

The Student Financial Services Specialist serves as an initialpoint of contact for current and prospective students and families,providing information and support related to financial aid, studentaccounts, billing, payments, and related processes. The positionperforms financial aid and student account processing, maintainsaccurate student information, responds to inquiries, and supportsdaily office operations in accordance with federal, state, andCollege requirements. The Specialist also uses student informationand reporting systems to document activity, process transactions,and support accurate and timely service.

Supervision

Reports to: Director for Student Financial Services (SFS)

Supervises: None

Key Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Student & Family Support

• Serve as an initial resource for current and prospectivestudents, families, campus partners, and other constituents byexplaining financial aid programs, application procedures,eligibility requirements, billing, payment deadlines, tuitionrates, loans, forms, and related Student Financial Servicesinformation.
• Assess individual questions and circumstances, provideappropriate information and forms, resolve routine processing andcommunication issues, and refer unusual, complex, or sensitiveconcerns to appropriate Student Financial Services staff.
• Respond to phone, email, and in-person inquiries; scheduleappointments as appropriate; provide clear and complete written andverbal communication; and document inquiries and responses in thestudent information system.
• Maintain working knowledge of services provided by Admissions,Extended Studies/International Programs, Registrar, ResidentialLife, Student Employment, and other campus offices to connectstudents and families with appropriate resources.

Financial Aid Processing

• Receive and review financial aid applications and supportingdocumentation for completeness in accordance with establishedguidelines; identify and resolve missing or incompletedocumentation and prepare records for verification andpackaging.
• Enter and maintain financial aid application and awardinformation, scan and organize documentation, and maintain accuraterecords in applicable systems.
• Maintain current knowledge of financial aid program eligibilitystandards, federal and state regulations, College policies andprocedures, and aid programs offered through private, state, andfederal sources.

Student Account Operations

• Process student account transactions, including cash, check,wire transfer, credit card, and other payments for deposits,tuition and fees, payment plans, ID Express, and other receivables;prepare receipts, post transactions, balance cash drawers, andreconcile daily activity.
• Support collections, billing, payment posting, disbursementactivity, and other student account operations during high-volumeprocessing cycles and as assigned.
• Receive and process forms and mail, route items requiringfollow-up, and support accurate and timely processing withinestablished office schedules.
• Administer employee and graduate student payroll deductionpayment arrangements by assisting with required forms, postingapplicable credits to student accounts, and monitoring Payrollreconciliations to ensure deductions are completed.

Systems & Reporting

• Use student information systems, databases, and other officeapplications to review and maintain student records, documentservice activity, and support accurate processing.
• Prepare reports, letters, correspondence, and otherdocumentation; use reporting tools to develop reports as needed andcollaborate with the Associate Director for Student FinancialServices Information Systems when appropriate.
• Maintain proficiency with systems and applications used byStudent Financial Services and learn new tools and processes asoperational needs evolve.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent and one to three years ofrelevant experience, or an equivalent combination of education andexperience.
• Relevant experience may include work in a college or universitystudent service area, including financial aid or bursar functions;significant interaction with students and families; studentemployment or work-study experience; or customer service work witha financial focus such as banking, loan processing, accounting orbookkeeping support, or debt collection.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally and providerespectful, responsive service to students, families, colleagues, and other constituents.
• Experience using common office applications, including wordprocessing and spreadsheets, with the ability to learn new systemsand applications.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, maintain accurateinformation, manage multiple tasks, and meet deadlines.
• Ability to handle detailed and sensitive information withaccuracy and appropriate confidentiality.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working in a college or university student serviceenvironment or in a setting involving financial transactions oraccount information.
• Experience using an online student information system.

Work Environment

Work is primarily performed in a standard office environment andrequires regular use of a computer and other office equipment. Theposition involves frequent interaction with students, families,colleagues, and other members of the College community.

Inclusive Excellence

Ithaca College is committed to fostering a welcoming, respectful,and inclusive community. Employees are expected to treat otherswith dignity, value diverse perspectives, and contribute to aculture of belonging and collaboration.

This position is 37.5 hours per week, 52 weeks per year.

Hiring Rate

$20.00 per hour

We pride ourselves on providing our benefit-eligible employees with comprehensive benefits, including:

• Healthcare including vision and dental
• Generous Paid Time Off Policies
• 403B Retirement Savings Plan with Matching Employer Contribution
• EAP
• Flexible Work Plans
• Educational Benefits
• Career-Enhancing Trainings

For an overview of our benefit offerings, please visit https://www.ithaca.edu/human-resources/employee-benefits-wellness

In an effort to promote campus safety and the security of Collegeresources, Ithaca College will, consistent with the requirements ofthe law and prudent practices, conduct criminal backgroundinvestigations per College policy. This position is subject to a criminal background check. All offers of employment are contingentupon review of the criminal background check.

Ithaca College is committed to building a diverse academic community and encourages members of underrepresented groups to apply. Experience that contributes to the diversity of the college is appreciated.

Visa sponsorship is not provided for this position.

About Us

At Ithaca College, a comprehensive residential campus community ofapproximately 5,000 students, we strive to be at the forefrontof the higher education landscape. We offer a distinct integrativelearning experience that makes students ready for the personal,professional, and global challenges of our age.

We seek candidates who embrace integrative learning and want to be a part of this exciting time in Ithaca College history. Weencourage creative collaboration and innovation in our faculty andstaff, providing support and resources for them to grow in theirfields and lead students to their own innovative ideas andachievements.

We welcome different ways of thinking and look for candidates withunique points of view and life experiences. We are inclusive ofindividuals with a wide range of cultural, personal, andprofessional backgrounds, talents, and skills. Our campus is avibrant and rewarding community where diverse minds can learn,succeed, and excel.

When reviewing candidates, we are looking for indicators of anumber of core competencies. Prospective candidates must beadaptable, collaborative, inclusive, respectful, responsive,results driven, and sustainable. They must communicate effectively,demonstrate leadership, exhibit professional integrity and ethics,take initiative, value personal and professional development, andshow that they will engage in the college.

Nestled in the heart of New York State’s scenic Finger Lakesregion, Ithaca College sits atop South Hill overlooking picturesqueCayuga Lake and is just minutes away from the city center.Combining small town warmth and charm with the vibrancy of acollege community, the thriving and culturally diverse city ofIthaca has been rated by Kiplinger’s as one of the top 10 places tolive in the United States.

If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of theapplication and hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator,Linda Koenig, at [e-mail] or 607-274-7761. We ask thatrequests for accommodations be made as soon as possible.

To learn more about Ithaca College, visit us at http://ithaca.edu