Financial Aid Specialist I

General Statement

The Office of Financial Aid Services (OFAS) assists students in financing their education through a variety of federal, state, and institutional aid including grants, scholarships, tuition waivers, work programs, and

loans. In administering these programs, our staff works directly with applicants for student aid, their parents or sponsors, and with secondary school personnel.

Because the financial aid system impacts, in one way or another, every department at Montana State University, we also work with university faculty & staff, donors, private financial institutions, and state and federal government agencies.

Financial Aid Specialist I are critical in assisting the Office of Financial Aid Services meet its mission by providing direct customer service, processing institutional forms and customer requests, and maintaining compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.

OFAS has an extensive training and development program designed to help new employees be successful and grow in this position.

Duties and Responsibilities Under the general supervision of the Assistant Directors, this position assists in the administration of student aid programs and activities.

The person in will apply federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures to determine aid eligibility and to ensure correct and timely aid processing.

In addition, this position acts as the primary customer service contact for phone, email, and front desk interactions with students and families.

The individual in this position will be trained in the following : review a wide variety of aid appeals and review summer applications;

adjusting over-awards, verification processing, and loan processing and appeals

Act as a member of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee; document processing; disseminate accurate information and effectively communicate with students, parents, university employees, and outside agencies verbally and in writing;

provide a high level of customer service

• Compile, interpret, and format program data; has an active role in the office phone schedule and assisting with new student appointments
• Provide general support to the Assistant Directors, as needed in completing compliance tasks and reports and meeting project deadline
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Required Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

One to two years of full or part-time experience that required a high level of customer service and analytical skill and attention to detail or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Post-secondary education a plus.

• Demonstrated skill in analyzing, explaining, and applying rules, policies, and procedures.
• Experience using word processing, spreadsheets, and e-mail.
• Demonstrated skill organizing and prioritizing large volumes of work with a high degree of accuracy.
• Demonstrated strong written and customer service skills, and competence communicating information, and procedures in person, by phone, and e-mail while handling sensitive and confidential information.
• Experience working with customers, conflict resolution, and problem solving while exercising good judgement

Preferred Qualifications Experience, Education, Knowledge & Skills

• Experience working with SGT Banner.
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Experience working in a higher education environment.
• Knowledge of the principles and purposes of financial aid programs.
• Bachelor’s Degree in Business or related subject.

The Successful Candidate Will

• Effectively operate work-related equipment
• Work effectively in a team-oriented environment
• Communicate effectively with employees and the public both in person and over the phone
• Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public
• Represent Financial Aid Services and its programs to others in a professional and courteous manner.

Position Special Requirements / Additional Information This job description should not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities or requirements, but a general description of the job.

Nothing contained herein restricts Montana State University’s rights to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this job at any time.

Physical Demands To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily with or without reasonable accommodations.

The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. This position has supervisory duties? No