Financial Aid Specialist

Job Overview

The Financial Aid Specialist (FAS) supports the Director of Student Financial Solutions through the administration and dissemination of Financial Aid policies and procedures for Unity Environmental University constituents. This position is responsible for working directly with Unity Environmental University staff to support students in managing financial needs and requirements.

Position Specific Responsibilities And Expectations

• Monitor program compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies using system and quality controls.
• Conduct student aid reviews including needs analysis, budgeting, packaging, verification, loan processing, certification, and tracking.
• Counsel student-facing staff on financial aid and student account matters such as application procedures, borrowing, employment, outside aid, other funding, and alternative funding.
• Provide support and clarification to the decentralized Recruitment and Student Success teams on relaying Financial Aid updates to admitted and current students.
• Aid in adjusting financial aid awards.
• Answer in-coming phone calls, emails, and cases.
• Cook up and coordinate the mailing of lender notifications-entrance and exit counseling, and award letters.
• Aid in the creation, revision, and updating of publications, standardized letters, manuals, and forms used in student aid.
• Contribute to the development and maintenance of business procedures related to financial aid administration.
• Review and maintain student files.
• Perform outreach activities as assigned by the Director of Student Financial Solutions.
• Attend required trainings to learn and maintain required skills to perform all duties for Financial Aid.

UNITY ENVIRONMENTAL UNIVERSITY INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Stay open to counterintuitive ideas and direct feedback.
• Work confidently with AI, digital tools, and emerging systems.
• Deliver results in a fast-paced, evolving environment.
• Communicate with clarity and consistency.
• Model integrity and professionalism in all aspects of work.
• Own the accuracy of your work.
• Demonstrate a commitment to sustainability in all aspects of work.

Qualifications

• Required: Associate degree and a minimum of 1-2 years of experience with finances, bookkeeping, etc., or an equivalent combination of education and/or experience.
• Willingness to learn basic knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and to provide a demonstrated commitment to student aid.
• Basic knowledge of accounting and billing services.
• Must be capable of independent judgement, highly motivated with strong organizational skills.
• Must be flexible with good interpersonal skills.
• Able to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff, managers, and the public.
• Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference.
• Able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Knowledge of computerized database systems, word processing and spreadsheets.
• Able to define problems, collect data establish facts, and draw valid conclusions.
• Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Able to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous and well poised.

Work Schedule / Availability Requirements

• Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends as scheduled by their supervisor to best support students.
• Working extended hours required as needed.
• Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Institution’s needs.

Physical Demands

• Sit and talk or hear.
• Occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 lbs.
• Close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.
• The ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.

Environmental Conditions

• Work is performed mostly in an office setting.
• The noise level in the work environment is normally moderate.
• Exposure to changes of temperature or humidity 1-33% of the time.

Positions at Unity Environmental University are dependent on their viability and an established viability matrix.

• Enthusiastic support and ability to work within the Enterprise Model.
• Unity Environmental University has a minimum annual $150M operating budget with a net positive revenue margin between 20-30%.
• Supports 5,000 – 10,000 full time students.
• Unity Environmental University operates in an Enterprise model and there are at least 2 credit bearing SEBUs.
• The institution meets accreditation requirements to award Title IV funding.