Financial Aid Specialist II
Job Description
Department:
Location:
Belknap CampusTime Type:
Full timeWorker Type:
RegularJob Req ID:
R105881Minimum Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in a related field and two (2) years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Grade 4 (Salaried)Position Description:
The University of Louisville is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist II. The primary functions of the position is the overall management and oversight of the Federal Direct Loan Program and providing analytical, technological, and system support to programs and duties associated with the operations of the Disbursement and Information Management Team within the Student Financial Aid Office (SFAO). The specialist will be responsible for daily creation and administration of federal data files applicable to the Federal Direct Loan Program to be sent to the U.S. Department of Education’s Common and Disbursement system, and for the loading and processing of response files received into PeopleSoft Campus Solutions. This position is responsible for the resolution of all Federal Direct Loan origination and disbursement errors/rejects and for the successful reconciliation of all issues applicable to the program, through the utilization of system processes, reports, and queries, while maximizing the use of existing software tools to maintain compliance.
In addition, this position assists the Associate Director for Disbursement and Information Management with various tasks to ensure compliance with federal financial aid regulations and must maintain a working knowledge of all applicable regulations. The position will adhere to standards that ensure quality, efficiency, compliance, and service related to the responsibilities of the team and the office. This specialist provides guidance, resources, and training to the Student Financial Aid Office regarding all aspects of Federal Direct Loan processing, and counsels students, parents and other pertinent parties regarding application and eligibility requirements for federal, state, private, and institutional aid.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Oversee all aspects of the Federal Direct Loan Program, ensuring timely reporting, reconciliation of data, and adherence to all applicable federal financial aid regulations.
Utilize the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement system and PeopleSoft Campus Solutions to view, compare, troubleshoot, and resolve all Federal Direct Loan issues, including but not limited to identifying and resolving loan validation errors, origination errors, rejected data, data transmission errors, and loan holds.
Reconcile Federal Direct Loan data between PeopleSoft Campus Solutions and the U.S. Department of Education’s Common Origination and Disbursement system, and complete tasks to ensure successfully closeout of the applicable award year’s Federal Direct Loan Program.
Provide analytical, technological, and system support to the Disbursement and Information Management Team and to the Student Financial Aid Office.
Test regulatory releases, enhancements, and software changes applicable to processing of Federal Direct Loans, and assist with system testing for other areas under the Disbursement and Information Team.
Maximize the use of existing software tools to adhere to federal, state, and institutional financial aid requirements and the needs of the office related to processing under the Disbursement and Information Management Team.
Coordinate email communications to students pertaining to loan processing deadlines, and cancel awards for students who do not meet communicated deadlines established.
Complete necessary set-up for Federal Direct Loan processing, including the necessary annual set-up for both manual and batch processing for the administration of the program.
Carryout all aspects of the Federal Direct Parent PLUS application processing, including but not limited to the needed annual set-up, processing approved applications, managing Federal Direct PLUS Denial exemption appeal requests, processing additional Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan requests for PLUS denials and ensuring all applications are reviewed and processed accurately.
Review Cost of Attendance data for students and add and/or remove loan fees accordingly.
Ensure Ability to Benefit codes are updated accurately for students within the PeopleSoft Campus Solutions system and are successfully reported to the U.S. Department of Education.
Research and review federal regulations, specifically related to but not limited to items applicable to the Federal Direct Loan Program, and recommend process improvements to ensure compliance.
Provide professional guidance, resources, and on-going training, serving as a resource for staff members of the Student Financial Aid Office regarding all Federal Direct Loan inquires and problem resolution.
Counsel students, parents and other pertinent parties regarding the Federal Direct Loan Program and other federal, state, private, and institutional aid, including advisement on the application process and eligibility requirements for such aid within federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
Provide support to the other responsibilities of the Disbursement and Information Management Team and provide back-up processing of tasks when needed.
Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director for Disbursement and Information Management, the Executive Director, and the Director of Financial Aid Systems.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor's degree in Information Systems, Business Administration
Four years of related experience in federal financial aid
Broad and progressive knowledge of federal student aid and state aid programs.
Analytical and troubleshooting skills.
Proficient with Microsoft Word, Excel, electronic mail, and web-based computer applications.
Effective oral, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
PeopleSoft Campus Solutions experience.
Query writing capabilities.
Experience with system set-up and implementation.
COMPETENCIES
Analytical- evaluating data and other information with the ability to choose the best solution and make recommendations.
Critical Thinking-ability to think through issues and identity appropriate options and solutions.
Detailed Oriented- practice of thoroughly and concisely reviewing information to ensure accuracy
Proactive - anticipates and plans for problems before they arise.
Flexible – ability to change directions as needed for the good of the department or organization.
Service Excellence – responsive, informs staff of process, pleasant to work with, educates and provides timely, accurate information.
Organized – manages time effectively, keeps tasks appropriately prioritized.
Work Ethic – motivated, diligent, industrious and persistent in the workplace, stays on tasks to completion, works at a fast pace to ensure optimal efficiency.
Self-Starter - ability to work independently and establish priorities and deadlines with minimal supervision
Teamwork – ability to work with others, serve others, take directions from others in the interest of moving process and programs forward to the desired outcome.
Target Compensation Maximum:
$61,200.00Target Compensation Minimum:
$40,800.00Compensation will be commensurate to candidate experience.
Equal Employment Opportunity
The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard torace, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team atemployment@louisville.eduor 502.852.6258.
Assistance and Accommodations
Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208.
If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email atemployment@louisville.eduor by phone 502-852-6258.
Equal Employment Opportunity The University of Louisville is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, sex, age, color, national origin, ethnicity, creed, religion, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expression, marital status, pregnancy, or veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact the Employment team at [email protected] or 502.852.6258. Assistance and Accommodations Computers are available for application submission at the Human Resources Department located at 215 Central Avenue, Ste 205 - Louisville, Kentucky 40208. If you require assistance or accommodation with our online application process, please contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone 502-852-6258. About the University of Louisville In 2023, the University of Louisville celebrates its quasquibicentennial, the 225th anniversary of the 1798 beginnings of higher education in Louisville. One of the nation’s first city-owned, public universities, UofL today is a vital ecosystem that creates thriving futures for students, our community and society. As one of only 79 universities in the United States to earn recognition by the Carnegie Foundation as both a Research 1 and a Community Engaged university, we impact lives in areas of student success and research and innovation, while our dynamic connection with our local and global communities provides unparalleled opportunities for students and citizens both. The university serves as an engine that powers Metro Louisville and the commonwealth and as a classroom for UofL’s more than 23,000 students, who benefit from partnerships with top employers and a wide range of community service opportunities. To learn more, visit louisville.edu. The University of Louisville is a public university in Louisville, Kentucky. It is a member of the Kentucky state university system.