Student Financial Services Specialist

Barnard College; United States; On-site; USD 70,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Barnard College is hiring a Student Financial Services Specialist to support students with tuition billing and financial aid. This hybrid position requires strong customer service and communication skills, adhering to compliance and promoting financial literacy.

The ideal candidate will assist with student accounts, provide timely information on financial aid, and develop innovative service technologies. A Bachelor's degree and 2-3 years' experience in financial roles are required.

The salary range is $70,000 – $75,000 annually, based on qualifications and experience.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 2-3 years’ experience in student accounts, financial aid, or related role.
• Strong knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Ability to handle sensitive and confidential information with professionalism.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance on financial aid and billing matters.
• Communicate appeal decisions and provide counseling on loan programs.
• Support administration of outside scholarships and retention initiatives.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Tools

PowerFAIDS

Technolutions Slate

Workday

Job description

Student Financial Services Specialist

The Student Financial Services Specialist serves as a key resource in supporting students and families with all aspects of tuition billing, financial aid, and related student account services. Specialists are cross‑trained to provide general guidance across both Student Accounts and Student Aid, while each may hold a primary focus area. The position ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies, delivers high‑quality customer service and assists in piloting emerging service technologies, including AI‑driven solutions, to continuously improve service delivery and response times.

Responsibilities

• Provide seamless guidance to students and families across financial aid and billing matters while adhering to accountability standards that keep awarding aid and billing/collections responsibilities distinct.
• Provide accurate and timely information to current and prospective students and families regarding financial aid, billing, payment alternatives, loan programs, refunds, deadlines, and institutional policies.
• Advise students on financial deadlines, financial aid options, eligibility and application requirements.
• Act as a functional liaison for student service innovations, exploring and supporting the implementation of artificial intelligence (AI) and automation tools to enhance the overall digital student experience.
• Enforce federal, state, and institutional regulatory standards.
• Assist in financial literacy outreach and education programs in collaboration with Admissions, Student Affairs, and other College partners.
• Maintain confidentiality of personal student financial information in compliance with FERPA and College policy.
• Contribute to process improvements and ensure strong internal controls.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Student Aid Focus

• Perform need analysis and packaging for assigned caseload of prospective and current students with an understanding of the principles of federal methodology, including:
  • Evaluating and calculating awards with a thorough knowledge of and adherence to Barnard’s own policies and procedures.
  • Making professional judgment decisions in extenuating circumstances to determine student eligibility and awards.
  • Awarding institutional and federal grants, loans and jobs.
  • Estimating federal, state and outside need‑based grants and loans.
  • Assisting with the packaging and awarding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid, and appeals.

Appeals

• Monitor the appeal process; review student appeals and documents to present to the appeal committee.
• Communicate appeal decisions to students and ensure file completion.
• Provide counseling on federal loan programs (Stafford, PLUS) and process eligibility and paperwork.
• Support the administration of outside scholarships, health insurance waivers, SAP, and non‑custodial parent documentation.
• Represent Student Financial Services at Admissions Open Houses, tabling events, and outreach programs.
• Collaborate with Admissions, Lefrak Center for Well‑being and other offices on recruitment, retention, and financial wellness initiatives.
• Serve as a point person for HEOP/CSTEP Programs: determine eligibility for prospective HEOP students during Early Decision (ED) and Regular Decision (RD) cycles; provide support and counseling to all assigned HEOP and CSTEP students, and assist the OP Office as needed.

Skills, Qualifications & Requirements

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Strong customer service, communication, and interpersonal skills. Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and student account management. Demonstrated ability to work with complex financial systems and reconcile data accurately. Excellent organizational, problem‑solving, and analytical skills. Ability to exercise professionalism and discretion in handling sensitive and confidential information. Commitment to continuous improvement and student‑centered service.

• Required: Bachelor’s degree with a minimum of 2‑3 years’ experience in student accounts, financial aid, or related higher education finance role.
• Preferred: Knowledge of PowerFAIDS, Technolutions Slate, Workday, and/or other financial aid and student information systems.

Work Arrangement

This job is currently a hybrid position, but may require a presence in the office up to five times a week, including for team and full staff meetings and other times as directed by the supervisor.

Salary Range

$70,000 – $75,000 annually. The salary of the finalist selected for this role will be set based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to departmental budgets, qualifications, experience, education, licenses, specialty, and training. The above hiring range represents the College’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting.

Employment Type

Full time