Financial Aid Specialist

Financial Aid Specialist

Position Description

To work as a member of the Financial Aid office team, assisting in the effective review, processing, and delivery of financial aid to all qualified students.

Alignment with Theological Positions

The person who fills this position must be someone who personally agrees with Biola's Articles of Faith and Statement of Biblical Principles and who is supportive of the positions taken by Biola as contained in its Eschatology Teaching Position. As such, this person may not speak against or act in a manner inconsistent with these positions during the course of their employment at Biola.

Department

Financial Aid

Supervisor

This position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid/Processing

Educational Requirements

Bachelor's degree or prior professional Financial Aid Experience

Work Requirements

Previous financial aid experience preferred

Non-exempt (02), full-time - 40 hours/week, 12 months per year.

This position requires personal attendance at Biola's campus in La Mirada, California.

Essential Duties

As assigned, coordinate the overall administration process of Title IV, state, private, or institutional aid programs. Serve as the institutional liaison, statistical reporter, and office reference expert for the program

Process standard routine reports to monitor needed aid adjustments. Notify students of changes and missing information on a timely basis

Serve as a specialist in processing information for students. Assist in reviewing financial aid applications, following up regarding file requirements, and packaging of scholarships, grants, and loans for eligible students.

Follow federal verification and other eligibility requirements to ensure each student's file is meeting compliance standards

Develop written procedures and maintain yearly calendar for office functions unique to the respective position

Maintain current policy and procedures documents: Regularly review and update step-by-step guides for areas of responsibility

Communicate with Financial Aid Applicants: Work with students and parents by communicating with them via phone or email

Work with Student Accounts for reconciliation needs for any program

Work on urgent & special projects that come up throughout the year

Attend local or national conferences occasionally that may require overnight travel

Some Saturday and evening work may be required during certain times of the year. During peak times, overtime may be mandatory

Engage in team support, communication with students, and/or other office functions as needed to address Financial Aid operational needs that arise

Perform such other duties as may be assigned

Communication

Objective Goals to be Attained

Accurate and timely administration of assigned aid programs.

Complete file review and program assignments by weekly, monthly, and annual deadlines as applicable to the task

Keep Financial Aid Office staff and leadership informed of news and policy updates regarding assigned programs

Achieve each of the employee's personal/professional goals as set annually by supervisor

Attend 1-2 webinars each year to stay up to date on regulations for file review/respective programs

Required Skills/Qualifications

Capacity for high volume, high pressure, detail-oriented production required

Capability to follow required information security safeguards to protect sensitive information

Knowledge of systems used by the Office of Financial Aid

Must demonstrate effective people skills

Must demonstrate proficient verbal and written communication

Must demonstrate computer literacy

Ability to work independently and manage project-based work to timely completion

Capable of independent problem-solving and research using written documentation

Other Desired Duties/Skills

Maintain a lifestyle in consonance with sound Christian principles and those promulgated by the institution.

Participate in the spiritual growth, development, care, and support of other employees assigned near this position

Encouraging others in the office with the hope of Jesus, as we are called to do in the scriptures (1 Thess 5:11)

The individual should be a team player who works to help out the teams in the office (Specialist, Counselors, overall) to assist with students' and families' financial aid applications as well as working through issues that may arise day-to-day

The individual should display resourcefulness in how they find creative solutions and adapt to changing situations

Hiring Range: $24.00 - 26.00 per hour