Financial Aid Associate II
About the role
The Financial Aid Associate II provides expert-level financial aid services, including advising students and staff on eligibility, program requirements, funding options. This role ensures compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations while managing complex financial aid cases and awarding processes.
Responsibilities
- Lead state financial aid department programs within the Financial Aid Office.
- Serve as the primary liaison with the Georgia Student Finance Commission (GSFC) and partner institutions, coordinating institutional financial aid awards and collaborating with academic departments, the Business Office, and external entities to provide awards to students.
- Interpret and apply Federal Methodology, needs analysis principles, and state and federal financial aid regulations and institutional policies in these processes.
- Identify and resolve complex conflicting student and/or parent information in an effort to distribute Federal, State, and Institutional funds.
- Analyze and resolve complex discrepancies between governmental agencies and Institutional records.
- Stay abreast of the most recent Federal, State, and Institutional policy changes and recommend procedures to the department to remain compliant with current laws/policies.
- Execute and manage operational processes, including invoicing, eligibility determination, late invoice processing, and reconciliation; review outcomes and implement necessary corrections.
- Develop, document, and maintain process maps and workflow procedures to support accuracy, efficiency, and compliance.
- Review and determine Freshmen HOPE and Zell Miller student eligibility.
- Complete HOPE and Zell Miller transfer evaluations.
- Review, process, and award Dual Enrollment, including retroactive requests and late invoice exception cases.
- Manage and/or participate in departmental and cross-functional projects, as assigned.
Requirements
- 4 Year / Bachelor's Degree
- Two to three years of relevant experience
- Prior experience in financial aid, higher education administration, or a related field requiring the interpretation and application of federal, state, or institutional regulations
- Experience applying policies and regulations to individual cases with a high level of accuracy
- Experience with Federal Student Aid Programs
- Experience in financial aid in a higher education environment, with knowledge of rules and regulations as they pertain to Federal Title IV and state funding
- Experience with student information systems and financial aid platforms
- Experience with student and/or financial aid modules at an institution of similar size, type or complexity
- NASFAA credentials (e.g., Student Eligibility, Application Process), or demonstrated commitment to ongoing professional development in financial aid
Qualifications
- Knowledge of Federal Student Aid Programs
- Knowledge of Banner, NSLDS, CPS, FAA Access, Common Origination and Disbursement, SURFER, and BDM
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to interpret complex regulations and apply them to individual cases
- High attention to detail and accuracy in processing financial aid
- Excellent customer service skills with the ability to communicate complex information
- Effective verbal and written communication skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite
Skills & Abilities
- Ability to manage high volume workloads
- Ability to communicate complex information effectively
Benefits
Georgia Gwinnett College offers a comprehensive benefits package designed to support the needs of our faculty and staff. This includes competitive compensation, health and wellness programs, professional development opportunities, and work-life balance initiatives. The college also offers a range of services and resources to enhance the overall college experience, including a vibrant campus community, diverse student body, and a supportive environment for personal and professional growth.
Pay
$42,100 - $50,500 per year
Schedule
Full-time, 40 hours per week