Financial Aid Specialist at West Coast University in Irvine, California

Job Description:

Summary:

• Will be a part of the Finalize Aid Team and responsible for completing the non-student-facing processing for assigned responsibilities and ensuring all processing is completed timely and accurately.


• Areas of responsibility include complex and heavily regulated processing which requires specialized knowledge of financial aid regulations.


• Further, duties will vary based on team assignment but include conducting file reviews, ISIR reviews, approving financial aid awards, managing state-based funds such as Cal Grant, completing tuition obligation and R2T4 calculations, processing stipends, monitoring, and resolving title IV credit balances, processing refunds, NSLDS reporting, import/export file processing, resolving disbursement and origination errors, evaluating, and approving institutional aid, SEOG and private loan batches, completing various reports as direct.


• While this position is not student-facing, customer service is a critical aspect of this role as it supports all WCU and/or ACC campuses and works closely with various internal departments for resolution of issues and completion of multi-step processes.

Responsibilities:

• Managing assigned activity queue to ensure all activities are completed accurately and on time.


• Completing required reporting each week as prescribed by their leader. This includes reconciliation reporting, productivity reporting, and assigned reports.


• Review ISIRs where appropriate as a part of their assigned processes.


• Document activities, actions taken, and guidance to campus as necessary in the Student Information System.


• Adheres to College/University policies and procedures and conducts job responsibilities per the standards set out in the College/University’s policies and procedures, applicable federal and state laws, and applicable professional standards.

• The Finalize Aid Team:
  
  
  • Completes federal verification of files selected by the Department of Education not verified by the 3rd Party Servicer.
  
  
  • Evaluates files for conflicting information and C-codes and provides guidance to resolve.
  
  
  • Determines aid eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.
  
  
  • Monitors FAME-approved spreadsheets and updates the Student Information System accordingly.
  
  
  • Works Variance reports to identify and resolve award discrepancies.
  
  
  • Manages and processes all aspects of Cal Grant, including initial award, award updates, responding to campus inquiries, and data entry on state sites.
  
  
  • Processes Federal Work Study awards and payments
  
  
  
  

Qualifications:           

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited College or University is preferred.


• Experienced candidates will be considered without a degree provided they have more than 5 years of financial aid experience and a combination of experience and education comparable to a bachelor’s degree.


• Requires proficient knowledge of standards and processes within financial aid plus experience supporting campus operations in an educational setting.


• 3 years’ financial aid experience required.


• 3 years of campus support or customer service.


• May not be in default on a federal student loan or owe repayment on a federal grant.


• Demonstrates the highest level of integrity, professional ethics, and confidentiality in all interactions.


• Higher than average computer skills.


• Strong Time Management skills.


• Ability to meet strict deadlines and complete work on time.


• Ability to adapt to a changing fast-paced environment.


• This is an onsite position where you will work in our administrative office in Irvine 5 days/week.

Compensation:          

• $27.70 - $37.39/hour


• Great Benefits Package

#LI-CM1

#HEJ