Financial aid specialist

If you’re passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country—and you’re committed to working hard to play your part in building that future—consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Grade: Services 205

Pay Range: $20.33 - $29.51

Job Description

Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist is a critical position requiring knowledge and skills in areas such as federal and state financial aid, other non-federal financial aid (e.g. private loans), and scholarships. The Financial Aid Specialist has the primary responsibility to evaluate withdrawn students to determine the earned/unearned Title IV aid and report necessary awarded adjustments in a timely manner. This position will focus on one of the key areas of federal, state, institutional or private aid, and provides processing support in one of those key areas. This position provides exceptional customer service and follow-up to current and prospective students and staff by evaluating the financial aid applications and requirements determining the amount/configuration of aid packages for students ensuring compliance with state, federal, and institutional policies governing financial aid. This position requires that the employee acts as a liaison on behalf of the student with other entities such as state grant departments and other departments. This position will ensure compliance with the US Department of Education regulations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Collects and analyses financial data on students to determine aid eligibility and create awards within federal and institutional guidelines.  
• Processes financial aid with the ability to monitor progress and identify issues that require resolution.  
• Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation or information provided by the student.  
• Exercises judgment by adjusting or revising costs, contribution, need, or dependency status as exceptions to the prescribed process.  
• Work directly with various University offices (Admissions, Registrar, and Student Accounts) and various external agencies (lenders and guarantee agencies) to resolve related processing and payment issues.  
• Maintains current knowledge of federal and state regulations and University policies.  
• Reviews NSLDS and COD loan information to assess aid eligibility.  
• Demonstrates excellent communication skills providing appropriate and timely responses to students and staff.  
• Participates in professional development and training activities as needed or required.  
• Completes various reports or projects related to loans, grants, work-study, scholarship, and other aid programs as assigned by supervisor.  
• Analyzes various system-generated reports such as grades and enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines.  
• Answers questions, inquiries, or requests from internal departments regarding financial aid programs and eligibility.  
• Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.  
• Provides timely communication to the appropriate departmental leader on any issues that may affect the timely processing of student financial aid.  
• Prioritize workload while being flexible to meet the daily expectations.  
• Performs other related duties as assigned. 
• Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
  
  

This job description includes a general representation of job requirements rather than a comprehensive inventory of all required responsibilities or work activities. The contents of this document or related job requirements may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Skill in researching regulatory information and resolving complex financial aid questions. 
• Skill in computing complex mathematical formulas. 
• Knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite of products and Windows OS. 
• Experience with systems including Banner, SalesForce, and OnBase. 
• Experience with ED systems including COD, CPS and NSLDS. 
• Strong knowledge of financial aid. 
• Ability to work well with others and excel in a team environment. 
• Analytical thinking skills with strong attention to detail. 
• Good organization and time management. 
• Customer service oriented. 
• Ability to thrive through change.  
• Must be able to travel as needed to in-person events and conferences.
  
  

Education

• High School diploma or equivalent.
  
  

Experience

• 1 year experience with Financial Aid
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations and Financial Aid policies.
• Must be in good standing with the Department of Education, no loans in default.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• 2+ years experience in Financial Aid
• NASFAA Credentials
• Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Knowledge of Banner, SalesForce, OnBase, and ED websites.
  
  

Position & Application Details

Full-Time Regular Positions (classified as regular and working 40 standard weekly hours): This is a full-time, regular position (classified for 40 standard weekly hours) that is eligible for bonuses; medical, dental, vision, telehealth and mental healthcare; health savings account and flexible spending account; basic and voluntary life insurance; disability coverage; accident, critical illness and hospital indemnity supplemental coverages; legal and identity theft coverage; retirement savings plan; wellbeing program; discounted WGU tuition; and flexible paid time off for rest and relaxation with no need for accrual, flexible paid sick time with no need for accrual, 11 paid holidays, and other paid leaves, including up to 12 weeks of parental leave.

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It’s not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at [email protected].

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.