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Southern Oregon University · 5 days ago

Financial Aid Processor

Southern Oregon/Ashland Campus

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$3,362.04/mo - $3,693.90/mo

1+ years exp

Southern Oregon University is seeking a Financial Aid Processor who will be responsible for counseling students and educating them about financial aid programs. This role involves processing financial aid applications, monitoring eligibility, and providing expert assistance to students and their families regarding financial aid options.

Higher Education

No H1B

Responsibilities

Reviews and processes student verification documentation daily

Analyzes federal tax documents (and/or tax information) and family information against information on the FAFSA in order to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid and makes changes to the FAFSA when necessary. If errors are present, notify individuals of filing status corrections. Review for appropriate household information, review capital gains and compare with reported assets, compare tax returns with self-reported information on FAFSA, and determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. When complete and correct, determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid. Processing is typically split by last name, but also could be by student population (examples include athletics, TRIO, Bridge, etc). Must be able to use judgment to identify conflicting information in student files and identify the necessary steps needed for the student to resolve it. This is case by case, and each student's situation must be reviewed carefully and considerately

Evaluates the eligibility for and appropriateness of all financial aid processed

Analyzes regulations and participates in the development of the SOU Financial Aid Office policy and procedure for administering financial aid from all sources. This position will be required to maintain knowledge of all scholarship program criteria, federal regulations, and University policies related to financial aid programs and establish administrative procedures to ensure the proper processing and documentation of scholarships

May be asked to assist with both internal and external audits as needed

Adjust student aid when necessary due to the receipt of outside resources (scholarships and 3rd party payments). If the third-party payment changes the student’s eligibility for any financial aid program, they will have to be repackaged in accordance with federal financial aid regulations

Requires a heavy amount of time processing reports to continuously monitor and adjust for student eligibility while also balancing a high level of customer service

Provide direct customer service to current students, prospective students, parents, and supporters, both in person and by Zoom, as well as respond to phone and email requests from the same

Provide expert assistance and advice for those seeking student aid from federal, state, institutional and private sources. May require uncomfortable conversations and sometimes escalated situations. Must be able to communicate these complex rules around financial aid in a professional and empathic manner. Work with these populations to find and solve their financial aid problems and facilitate the delivery of their financial aid

Counsel students regarding debt and their rights and responsibilities as a student loan borrower. Advise students about their annual and aggregate loan limits. Requires detailed knowledge of federal and state regulations combined with general knowledge of institutional policies and procedures, especially those involving Admissions, Registration, and Student Accounts

Requires access to several secure sites, including OSAC/Oregon Opportunity Grant, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Common Origination and Distribution (COD), and Financial Aid Administrator Access (FAA- Access)

Participates in office outreach events to include planning and presenting financial aid workshops, seminars, etc., which may be outside of traditional office hours, off campus, and/or out of town

Collaborate with campus partners and serve on committees as needed

Conduct outreach to students who need additional assistance by email, phone, and in person with follow-up. This might include students with outstanding requirements, in a denied status, outstanding financial aid offers, encouraging FAFSA submission, etc. Communicate with students throughout their time at SOU on any financial aid needs for their file

Monitor the FWS Waitlist and reallocate FWS funds according to FWS regulations throughout the year. Provide and authorize the cancellation of unused FWS mid-year. And, re-award FWS to eligible students based on projected available funding levels. With the target goal of spending, while not overspending the allotted Campus-Based FWS funding allocated for the academic year. Assist in further developing the FWS program at SOU

Program Management: Performs program assignments at the discretion of the Director and Senior Financial Aid Manager. Manages multiple Federal or State aid programs, including but not limited to: Pell Grant, Dual Enrollment, Oregon Opportunity Grant, Federal Loan Programs, Return to Title IV, Veterans, private loan processing, scholarships, and Direct Loan functions and graduate programs as needed. This can include, but is not limited to, independently reconciling, processing, administering, and application

Monitors programs for compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional regulations, manages the SAP administration and communication to both students and those who request the information on behalf of the student

Serve on committees as needed by the Office of Financial Aid policies and procedures

Keep current and aware of the financial aid processing calendar independently to make sure program processes are happening when they should be

Exercises professional judgment when processing unusual circumstances and special circumstance appeals that come through the office. This will require strict adherence to the policy and procedures at SOU in addition to Federal regulation requirements

Review and approve or deny student’s requests for budget increases, as needed and reduction of AGI as originally filed on FAFSA to make students eligible for additional aid by using professional judgment under institutional guidelines

Requires knowledge of the acceptable reasons permitted, documents required, and knowledge of how to effect those changes in Banner

Other Duties as Assigned: Due to the consistent and constant changes in Financial Aid on a Federal, State, and Institutional level, this position will have other duties as assigned to meet the needs of the office in addition to remaining in compliance with regulatory updates

Qualification

Financial Aid ProcessingBanner Financial Aid SystemCustomer ServiceAnalytical SkillsPresentation SkillsCommunication SkillsOrganizational SkillsTeamworkProblem SolvingTime Management

Required

Bachelor's degree in a related field

One year of successful professional work experience is required that may be relevant to this position

This position must possess and maintain a current, valid Driver's License

This position is designated as a critical, security-sensitive, or safety-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a Criminal Background Check

Preferred

Minimum of 2 years progressively more responsible experience in financial aid

Experience with the Banner Financial Aid system

Experience in giving presentations (high school financial aid, college fairs, etc.)

Previous experience as a Financial Aid Processor/Counselor/Advisor

Benefits

Benefits Eligible: Yes

To view SOU’s very generous benefits and pension programs available to eligible positions, please visit https://inside.sou.edu/assets/hrs/Benefits/Benefit_Flyer/2024_Prospective_Candidate_Benefit_Overview_012024.pdf

Our benefits package is an important complement to the offered salary and our Total Compensation Calculator, https://inside.sou.edu/hrs/comp-calc.html, demonstrates our value and commitment to our employees.