Financial Aid Specialist Resume Sample
Work Experience
- Process a variety of financial aid electronic forms/paperwork and award financial aid
- Perform the batch packaging process to pick up all students ready for packaging on a regularly scheduled basis
- Review student aid packages to ensure accuracy, consistency, and compliance
- Processing of financial aid award letters
- Assist in the verification process as documents are received
- Exercise professional judgment and properly respond to special circumstance and dependency override requests
- Understands basic federal tax law to evaluate the accuracy of FAFSA data entry and completes verifications for families that are selected based on the Department of Education’s 30% rule
- Awards and revises all federal, state, and institutional aid as well as private student loans for graduate and professional students within federal, state, and institutional guidelines
- Communicate with other SFS staff and departments across campus in a timely manner regarding adjustments needed to students’ financial aid award packages and other individual student circumstances
- Review and analyze various daily, weekly and monthly reports to ensure accuracy, discern errors, and maintain high level of student service through the financial aid process
- Monitor and review student’s academic progress to ensure ongoing eligibility for financial aid
- Processes required “Return to Title IV” program funds for students officially or unofficially withdrawing from the university
- Review, interpret and apply complex federal and state regulations to remain in compliance by attending conferences, workshops, webinars and other available forms of training as applicable
- Use PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, Windows interface and Microsoft products, Archiving, COD, ELM-ONE, IFAP, NSLDS, FAA Access, Webgrants and various other financial aid websites to complete tasks
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office products, primarily Excel and Word
- Good command of the English language with good organizational skills and attention to detail
- Understands basic federal tax law to evaluate the accuracy of FAFSA data entry and completes verifications
- Awards and revises all federal, state, and institutional aid as well as private student loans for undergraduate students within federal, state, and institutional guidelines
- Communicates with other One Stop staff and departments across campus in a timely manner regarding adjustments needed to students’ financial aid award packages and other individual student circumstances
- Use PeopleSoft Campus Solutions, CampusLogic, ZenDesk, Windows interface and Microsoft products, Archiving, COD, ELM-ONE, IFAP, NSLDS, FAA Access, Webgrants, studentloans.gov and various other financial aid websites to complete tasks
- The Financial Aid Specialist provides counseling to students on the manner of integrating their financial concerns, relative to personal and/or academic problems
- Analyzes financial information submitted by students and assists students or parents in the preparation of pertinent forms
- Conducts financial aid workshops/conferences and assist in completion of internal and external reports
Education
Professional Skills
- Possess experience organizing and prioritizing large volumes of detailed work, meeting deadlines, and adapting to changing priorities
- Excellent oral, written and interpersonal communication skills, including the ability to make public presentations
- Effective management skills, including proven ability to lead and motivate and the ability to acquire a diversified staff in support of our University mission
- Possess experience effectively summarizing and communicating complex, detailed information, both verbally and in writing
- Demonstrated high ethical standards and demonstrate on-going confidentiality and exercise sensitivity to customer’s concerns regarding financial matters
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing with a diverse audience
- Good interpersonal and effective communication skills (orally and in writing) required
How to write Financial Aid Specialist Resume
Financial Aid Specialist role is responsible for software, training, customer, microsoft, imaging, finance, credit, database, recruiting, security.
To write great resume for financial aid specialist job, your resume must include:
- Your contact information
- Work experience
- Education
- Skill listing
Contact Information For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
The section contact information is important in your financial aid specialist resume. The recruiter has to be able to contact you ASAP if they like to offer you the job. This is why you need to provide your:
- First and last name
- Telephone number
Work Experience in Your Financial Aid Specialist Resume
The section work experience is an essential part of your financial aid specialist resume. It’s the one thing the recruiter really cares about and pays the most attention to.
This section, however, is not just a list of your previous financial aid specialist responsibilities. It's meant to present you as a wholesome candidate by showcasing your relevant accomplishments and should be tailored specifically to the particular financial aid specialist position you're applying to.
The work experience section should be the detailed summary of your latest 3 or 4 positions.
Representative Financial Aid Specialist resume experience can include:
- Uses judgment and problem-solving skills to assist in awarding students
- Supervises department work-study students including hiring, training and scheduling for adequate department coverage
- Responsible for maintaining ACD phone system including all greetings and messages, answering main line providing general financial aid information
- Responsible for accurately scanning, managing and maintaining all documents in electronic files
- Exercise sound judgment in reviewing and evaluating student financial aid applications
- Utilize computer software for extensive reporting, tracking and analysis
Education on a Financial Aid Specialist Resume
Make sure to make education a priority on your financial aid specialist resume. If you’ve been working for a few years and have a few solid positions to show, put your education after your financial aid specialist experience. For example, if you have a Ph.D in Neuroscience and a Master's in the same sphere, just list your Ph.D. Besides the doctorate, Master’s degrees go next, followed by Bachelor’s and finally, Associate’s degree.
Additional details to include:
- School you graduated from
- Major/ minor
- Year of graduation
- Location of school
These are the four additional pieces of information you should mention when listing your education on your resume.
Professional Skills in Financial Aid Specialist Resume
When listing skills on your financial aid specialist resume, remember always to be honest about your level of ability. Include the Skills section after experience.
Present the most important skills in your resume, there's a list of typical financial aid specialist skills:
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to communicate with all levels of staff, students and faculty
- Excellent oral and written communication skills; and,
- Prior experience working in higher education within a financial aid department
- Prior experience working with Campus Solutions or other campus software
- Banner knowledge and experience, or similar database experience
- Attention to details, organizational and follow-up skills
List of Typical Experience For a Financial Aid Specialist Resume
Experience For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Communicates effectively and consistently with pertinent internal department members from admissions, business cashiering and registrar, etc
- Calendar management, appointment setting, data collection and data entry skills
- Financial aid or advising experience within a regionally accredited university
- Prioritize work and be well organized
- Creates and maintains a high performance environment characterized by positive leadership and strong
- Contacts all graduating students during each semester to make sure they meet federal requirements to complete Stafford Loan Exit Counseling
- Advises students on educational related financial matters including budget planning, repayment of loans and grants, and related financial aid options
- Counsels students regarding financial aid eligibility, appropriate polices and available funding
- Modifies packages based on enrollment changes, additional funding etc. while communicating those changes to students
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Assist in identifying students with financial aid issues during the class cancellation and deregistration process
- Provide general support to the Assistant Directors, as needed in completing compliance tasks and reports and meeting project deadline
- Evaluates the academic status of each applicant; keeps abreast of current federal regulations and guidelines pertaining to the student financial aid program
- Verifies student files selected for verification by the U.S. Department of Education and makes electronic corrections to the Department of Education, processes consortium agreements, social security waivers, evaluates Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals, Special Circumstances Appeals and supervises work study students
- Financial aid packaging methods and procedures
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Financial and statistical record-keeping techniques
- Computer software used for financial aid processing
- Attend professional development and financial aid training workshops
- Follows up with students concerning incomplete information; assists with students selected for verification
- Coordinates the financial assistance programs available to enrolled students, including scholarships, grants and student loans. (Performed by all incumbents)
- Research and reconcile financial aid discrepancies, including those in student loans, scholarship accounts, and Federal Work-Study
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Receives, reviews, and verifies content of applications and support documents; follows up on missing information
- Maintain a working knowledge of all federal, state, and institutional regulations and related office policies and procedures
- Assist with the QC student documentation for eligibility within the Imaging system
- Apply federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures to determine aid eligibility and to ensure correct and timely aid processing
- Adjust over awards, verification processing, and loan appeals; member of the Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals Committee
- Methods and techniques of financial aid need analysis
- Personal and financial problems encountered by college students and parents
Experience For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Modern office practices, procedures and equipment
- College and community resources for students
- Work with students/parents from a variety of diverse backgrounds and cultures
- Determine eligibility for financial aid through needs analysis
- Assist in the development of financial aid packages to meet financial need
- Interpret financial statements, income tax forms and related documents
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Plan and organize work to meet schedules and time lines
- Interview and advise students
- Review financial aid applications. Assist with the application follow up/communication processes and federal/state/institutional aid packaging. Responds to financial aid related inquires. Generate financial aid reports
- Assist the Associate Director with system set up/testing processes and annual updates. Responsible for maintaining Financial Aid calendar. Assist the Associate Director with systems and aid issue resolutions
- Provide support with student financial aid counseling. Participate in orientation and other events required financial aid staff involvement. Assist with setting up webinars and in-person trainings
- Advises students who apply for short-term institutional loans
- Assists students in filing formal applications for all types of student aids including work study, loans, grants and scholarships; explains related procedures, requirements and obligations
- Performs verification/validation functions, as required by federal regulations
- Maintains records and prepares related reports as required and in accordance with established policies, procedures, and other governmental regulatory agencies
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping them to complete appropriate and required forms; by advising them of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid; and by providing them with information about the status of their financial aid applications
- Advise students and parents on eligibility requirements for federal and state aid
- Completes data on award notifications by calculating student budgets to establish student’s cost of attendance to award grants, loans, and other financial aid
- Provides expertise in the process of financial aid verification as identified by the U.S. Department of Education to determine eligibility for federal, state, and institutional need-based aid
- Guides the student through the verification process, checking for consistency and accuracy, until verification is complete and financial aid is awarded
- Runs queries to identify students selected for verification and follows up accordingly
- Maintains confidentiality of students’ and/or parents/guardians’ personal, private and financial information
- Prepare updates of important information for web master to publish on Financial Aid webpage. Review regularly to ensure most accurate information is available to users
- Experience in training or public speaking in the workplace
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Create training materials using various presentation tools
- Notify students who have failed to make Satisfactory Academic Progress at the end of the semester according to the SAP process in SIS
- Coordinate with the WCC Educational Foundation for Foundation scholarships and support for the Wythe-Bland and Forging Futures Scholarships
- Responsible for ensuring VA information on website is accurate
- Attend meetings to keep up to date with changing information and regulations through the VCCS and Department of Education
- Run MIL process on a regular basis. Daily during peak periods
- Ensure that hired workstudy students complete all necessary forms for processing in the Payroll Office
Experience For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Track bi-weekly payroll in the office and forward time sheets to the Payroll Office for processing
- Notify students and supervisors of available hours to work. Send reminders at mid-semester of remaining hours
- Knowledge of federal, and/or institutional rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures for awarding financial aid
- Provides information to technical college prospective and enrolled students concerning state and federal financial assistance. (Performed by all incumbents)
- Inform current students of important information through student emails
- Notify students of application deadlines through multiple mass mailings and email reminders
- Send initial and follow-up letters to students that have been identified for verification through Missing Information Letter process in SIS until student completes the file. In addition to printed letter, information is made available to the student on the web
- Identify potential VGAP eligible students. Request transcripts and other necessary documentation needed to determine eligibility
Experience For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Notify non-eligible students of status and inform them of available alternatives
- Serve on college committees
- Coordinate with the Business Office and Bookstore for payments and charges in a timely manner
- Verify selected files. Review submitted documentation to ensure compliance with DOE verification guidelines
- Use MIL to request documentation needed for verification process
List of Typical Skills For a Financial Aid Specialist Resume
Skills For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Effectively operate work-related equipment
- Experience managing programs in a higher education setting
- Excellent customer service while complying with confidentiality laws and university policies
- Establish and maintain effective working relations with co-workers, stakeholders, and the public
- Experience working in a university financial aid office
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Experience working with Federal forms and terminology
- Experience working in Financial Aid
- Experience in analysis and processing financial data
- Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge, interpret and make decisions regarding regulations
- Demonstrated ability to work independently and take appropriate action using sound judgement
- Considerable experience in a financial aid, business office or customer service setting
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Two (2) years’ experience in Financial Aid performing analysis and review of financial information, bank forms or tax preparation
- Financial Aid experience analyzing simple and complex IRS tax return transcripts
- Strong use of computers and use of standard office software programs, including Word and Excel
- Work independently to coordinate and organize multiple projects and tasks with critical deadlines and the ability to manage competing priorities
- Two (2) years’ experience performing analysis and review of financial information, bank forms or tax preparation
- Prioritize and complete work tasks independently; delegate work as needed to meet deadlines
- Experience with PeopleSoft; and,
- Considerable skill and proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite
- Research and/or follow-up to obtain and validate critical information
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Experience in a highly automated office environment
- Experience in working with Microsoft applications (Word, Excel and Outlook) and the Internet
- Higher Education Administration experience such as Admissions, Registration, Financial Aid,
- Thorough knowledge of and experience with federal needs analysis methodology. Basic familiarity with institutional methodology
- Experience with Banner software or other database applications
Skills For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Work related experience
- Demonstrated knowledge of supervisory techniques
- Experience with Federal and State financial aid/student loans eligibility requirements and regulation
- Communicating and conveying accurate information regarding loan programs, such as application or disbursement status, in lay terms, to external customers
- Drafting and maintaining procedures, as well as reviewing current processes for efficiencies
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Researching and processing federal and alternative loan claims for default, death, bankruptcy, or disability related actions
- Maintaining all processes related to the administration of the Alaska Performance Scholarship and Alaska Education Grant programs, using specialized software
- Responding to credit reporting disputes; and
- Completing processes related to education loan originations
- Drafting written correspondence related to Executive Officer decisions
- Working knowledge of standard office practices and procedures
- Working knowledge of automated financial aid systems
- Working knowledge of federal financial aid and state regulations and requirements
- Working knowledge of Student Information Systems
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Assist with reviewing documents in Imaging, updating checklists and making comments on student accounts
- Activities are performed in an environmentally-controlled office setting subject to extended periods of sitting, keyboarding and manipulating a computer mouse
- Computer applications, including proficiency in Banner and Microsoft Excel, Outlook, and Word
- Use of standard office equipment, including calculator, copier, and fax machine
- Work proactively to move all students toward meeting financial settlement deadlines
- Assist in updating policies and procedures manuals, as necessary
- Obtain, through seminars, training workshops, web bulletins and newsletters, an expert knowledge of financial aid regulations
- Maintain a working knowledge of student eligibility as required for financial assistance in compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines
- Knowledge of automated data processing systems
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Work a flexible schedule, including evenings and weekends, to meet the needs of the office
- Administers and troubleshoots assigned automated processes for awarding student financial aid
- Participates in events designed to assist current and prospective student and parents with completing financial aid applications
- Assists students and employers in all aspects of Student Employment process; including policies and procedures
- Prepares and delivers training for student staff employees
- Enter student tracking data into Colleague
- Assist with registration during peak periods
- Financial aid guidelines regarding loans, scholarships, institutional grants, and Federal Work-Study
- Student financial aid eligibility criteria, including GPA, percentage of completion, and maximum time frame requirements
Skills For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Educate students and their families on the consequences of their financial decisions
- Hold students and their families accountable for their commitments and promises in regards to financial settlement
- Assist the Financial Aid Counselors as needed
- Assist the Manger of Operations, Associate/Assistant Director, and Director as needed
- Assist with the Worldwide Financial Aid Return Mail process; monitoring the Imaging Return Mail queue and contacting students regarding their incorrect paperwork
- Deal tactfully and effectively with a diverse population of students, parents, staff, and the public
- Experience with Colleague and ImageNow
Skills For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Working knowledge of Title IV program eligibility and processing
- Rules, regulations, procedures, policies and function of Federal, State and District financial aid programs
- Administers one or more specific financial aid programs or processes
- Counsels and advises current and prospective students and parents regarding financial aid application procedures, programs, financial aid eligibility, costs, and financial planning
- Reviews and processes submitted student financial aid forms
List of Typical Responsibilities For a Financial Aid Specialist Resume
Responsibilities For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Experience in a processing or financial aid environment or equivalent education and experience
- Experience with accounting and recordkeeping practices
- Experience with Salesforce or similar Customer Resource Management (CRM) to track student contact
- Experience in a processing or financial aid environment
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Microsoft Office experience including Word, Excel and Outlook
- Reviews student files prior to awarding in order to complete any federal or institutional verification, C-Flag requirements
- Operate a variety of office equipment and machines including computers, peripheral equipment, calculators and copiers
- Demonstrated proficiency with standard office software
- Maintaining and updating the Knowledge Base for the operations center in regards to Financial Aid
- Reviewing reports to ensure compliance with state and federal regulations
- Assist in requesting documentation for student files while assuring information is properly stored within the College document imaging system
- Assist in researching regulatory information and helping to resolve complex financial aid questions
- Process and resolve issues preventing the completion of the awarding process
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Process forms for external agencies regarding enrollment status and cost of attending Ivy Tech
- Complete information requests as necessary by gathering and reporting financial aid data
- Communicate processing needs to back office/processing support
- Assist with training material for operations center and counselors as needed
- Assist in reviewing student financial aid files for accuracy and completeness
- Perform verification of financial aid files as needed in situations needing special attention
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Oversees the overall operation of the MSU Scholarship Programs. This includes working with the MSU Foundation to ensure donor requirements are maintained
- Responsible for overaward resolution resulting from additional awards
- Counsel and Advise students, parents and other appropriate clients regarding programs, the application process, eligibility, and awards
- Run daily reports to monitor remaining available funds for financial aid and communicate information with TIP Admissions
- Keep all departmental forms up to date and in compliance
- Complete annual table set-up for SAP and MIL in SIS
- Run SAP process at the end of each semester to identify students who have lost their eligibility for failure to meet the SAP policy
Responsibilities For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Import ISIRs daily from DOE through EdConnect software. Load imported ISIRs into SIS, review suspended ISIRs, and build FA Terms on loaded ISIRs
- Initiate contracts for off-campus workstudy sites
- Place eligible students with potential supervisor for interview
- Post and approve workstudy hours in SIS
- Analyze and evaluate information in order to comply with Federal and State regulations and institutional policies
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Create and update financial aid resources for multiple programs
- Support prospective students throughout the financial aid process, including Federal Student Aid (FSA) programs, eligibility and repayment criteria for undergraduate and graduate students
- Develops and maintains student financial aid records. (Performed by all incumbents)
- Maintains current knowledge of DTAE operations and policies, federal and state student financial assistance programs and laws governing such and technical college procedures. (Performed by all incumbents)
- Review and analyze student accounts with regard to tuition, financial aid, auxiliary services, and other account assessments; perform mathematical computations and complete paperwork for any necessary adjustments
- Meet with students, parents, faculty, and Academic Advisors to explain the financial aid process, including meeting with students and parents during orientation and various university programs
- Communicate with students regarding student loans, grants, scholarships, Federal Work-Study, verification, special circumstances, unusual enrollment, and other financial aid issues; prepare and mail letters and notices regarding financial aid
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist Tip Resume
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations, including verification and documentation, loan administration, and financial aid standards of academic progress
- Assist in the coordination and utilization of limited federal, state, and institutional funds for scholarships, loans, and Federal Work-Study program with university departments to ensure the best possible use of available funds
- Enter awards, notify students via letter, and monitor scholarship accounts
- Utilize information from the National Student Loan Data System (NSDLS) to monitor student loan eligibility, evaluate new transfer students, and for other financial aid-related purposes
- Make financial aid presentations to incoming students; staff department’s resource table during outreach program and other university events
- Act as a liaison between administrators, faculty, and private donors of scholarship funds
- Review federal, state, and institutional regulatory changes in financial aid policies and procedures and relate to all stakeholders
- Completes routine statistical reports and correspondence
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist Resume
- Responds to inquiries, researches and resolves related financial aid problems by telephone, email, and at our student help window
- Verify completeness of IRS tax return transcripts, W-2’s
- Analyze asset information reported on the FAFSA when compared with IRS tax return transcript; i.e. cash, savings, checking vs. high interest, and value and debt of properties
- Resolves any conflicting information on taxes and/or FAFSA with student/parent(s); i.e. for independent status, dislocated worker, marital status change, citizenship status, selective service and social security/name mismatch
- Confirms financial aid award eligibility with outcome of IRS tax return transcript review and revise aid when necessary
- Verify and establishes Cal Grant eligibility
- Determines student’s eligibility with California Student Aid Commission (CSAC)
- Review and compare CSAC reports and rosters on Banner
Responsibilities For Student Financial Aid Specialist Days Msh Resume
- Evaluate student’s eligibility, revises aid upon determination of eligibility
- Works as liaison between student and CSAC
- Process payments and updates on Banner and Webgrants systems
- Reconcile payments for each grant award
- Research limited/out of eligibility students for additional eligibility
- Cal Grant B Stipend notifications
- Provides staff with CSAC notification updates
- Identify potential CHAFEE applicants
- Performs initial needs analysis in determination of student’s eligibility for financial aid and provides guidance and instruction on missing information, data updates and grant and loan processes
Responsibilities For Financial Aid Specialist, Pre-certification Resume
- Provides front desk coverage and performs similar tasks of Financial Aid Counselors in their absence
- Answer student and/or parents general financial aid questions
- Work as liaison between student/parent and counselor
- Process work-study, loan acceptance and Perkins Loan adjustment forms
- Verifies completeness of all submitted forms and documents
- Working in multiple systems entering accurate information pertaining to a students financial aid as comments/updates/adjustments are needed while quality control reports are being reviewed
- Assist with the student’s initial and renewal eligibility to participate in state assistance programs by applying the criteria set forth by the offering agent
- Assist with Knowledge Base updates for the Operations Center in regards to federal, and state regulations