Financial Aid Systems Analyst (Financial Aid Specialist)

About the role

Founded in 1971 in Long Island City, Queens, LaGuardia Community College is one of seven community colleges of the City University of New York (CUNY). LaGuardia offers more than sixty associate degree programs and more than fifty workforce training, ESOL, GED, and pre-college programs. In 2023, LaGuardia served approximately 24,000 students. More than one-third of LaGuardia’s degree-seeking students are born outside the United States; they come from 136 countries and speak 43 heritage languages. Sixty percent are first-generation college students. Virtually all LaGuardia students are ethnic minorities (89 percent), 58 percent are women, 27 percent are over the age of 25. Forty-six percent of associate degree students are Hispanic. Upon graduation most students transfer to four-year colleges, typically in CUNY, to complete their baccalaureate degrees. Graduates of career programs such as Nursing, Computer Technology, and Veterinary Technology enter the workforce.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the day-to-day administrative and systems operations for optimal efficiency and customer service;
• Aid in the development of online financial aid forms, to reflect ever-changing financial aid regulations;
• Create and develop financial aid reports, databases, and queries;
• Test software upgrades and new aid year configurations;
• Create and maintain business process documentation;
• Conduct CUNYFIRST training for the Financial Aid staff and other student service departments;
• Perform functions required for the compliance and administration of the Federal Title IV financial aid programs (Pell, FSEOG, FWS and Direct Loans), including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), and Professional Judgments;
• Perform functions required for the compliance and administration of the New York State Aid Programs (TAP, Excelsior, PTAP, APTS) for degree and non-degree eligible students;
• Aid in the quality assurance and program compliance of Federal Title IV financial aid programs (Pell, FSEOG, FWS and Direct Loans), including Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Professional Judgments, and Return to Title IV (R2T4);
• Identify and analyze rejected data and take appropriate action to resolve issues in the processing of the bi-weekly student payroll for federal programs;
• Aid in processing, disbursing and resolving Federal Title IV program and payment issues;
• Aid in preparation of various management reports;
• Conduct internal quality control reviews and assessments to review compliance with federal, state, and university policies and procedures;
• Update appropriate databases and software as needed;
• Recommend and present training sessions, workshops, and webinars for the purpose of reducing workload processing errors and improving accuracy of work output;
• Develop and prepare training sessions based on findings of assessment review and analysis;
• Represent the department on and off campus as requested;
• Keep abreast of financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and four years' related experience required.
• PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working in higher education. Experience with CUNYFirst system or PeopleSoft, including running and creating queries. Knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs, and regulations. Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access). Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team. Excellent communication, interpersonal and organizational skills. Knowledge of SQL, PeopleSoft, Microsoft office, NextGen.

How to Apply

To apply, visit www.cuny.edu, access the employment page, log in or create a new user account, and search for this vacancy using the Job ID or Title. Select "Apply Now" and provide the requested information. Candidates should provide a resume and cover letter.