Financial Aid Operations Analyst

General Summary of Position:

The University of Massachusetts Lowell seeks an experienced Financial Aid professional to meet the demands of supporting an electronic office working as a part of a team of analysts. This position is focused on financial aid awarding and quality control. Under the supervision of the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid Operations, the Financial Aid Operations Analyst is responsible for reviewing, awarding, and monitoring eligibility requirements for federal, state and institutional aid programs for Undergraduate, Graduate, Online and Professional Studies students. The Financial Aid Operations Analyst is responsible for verifying the accuracy of application data in accordance with federal and state aid regulations and making adjustments to aid packages for changes in eligibility.

The Financial Aid Operations Analyst will assist the Financial Aid Operations team with the system testing of packaging, budgeting, and Satisfactory Academic Progress programs to ensure accurate calculations. This position coordinates summer and winter aid awarding process. Evaluate, award and monitor summer and winter aid eligibility and disbursements.

1. Reviews, processes, and awards student financial aid funds in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies. Manages the weekly financial aid packaging processes to ensure accurate and timely awarding of financial aid funds. Identify opportunities to improve efficiency with processes and student services.
2. Identifies and processes changes in student eligibility throughout award period, including enrollment changes, housing changes, subsequent ISIRs, additional aid, and verification changes.
3. Assist with the system testing of the PeopleSoft Financial Aid annual regulatory releases, including budgeting, packaging, and satisfactory academic progress programs. Develop and maintain a working knowledge of financial aid systems, including PeopleSoft, Salesforce, Campus Logic, and SUMMIT reporting.
4. Coordinate summer and winter aid awarding process. Evaluate, award and monitor summer/winter aid eligibility and disbursements.
5. Conduct financial aid informational activities, such as Orientation, Open Houses and similar public speaking engagements on and off campus. Participate in university meetings, financial aid workshops and conferences in order to develop and remain current with local, regional and national financial aid policies and procedures. Assists other financial aid office staff in various tasks, such as overflow assistance. Participate in departmental policy decisions related to implementation of federal, state and institutional regulations, policies and procedures.

Promote the University's commitment to customer service by:

• Build effective partnerships with co-workers throughout the University by freely sharing appropriate information and providing assistance when needed.
• Ensuring optimum service to all internal and external partners in response to all requests for service and information.
• Maintaining an environment that is welcoming to persons of all backgrounds, nationalities, and roles.

Minimum Qualifications (Required):

• An earned bachelor's degree
• Three-five years of higher education financial aid experience
• Thorough knowledge of federal financial aid regulations
• Strong organizational skills and flexibility to adjust to changing priorities
• Functional experience with an integrated Student Information Systems required; expertise with PeopleSoft Student Administration System preferred
• Proficient in Microsoft Office applications
• Must be able to meet the access requirements to secure federal/state databases such as National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS)

Additional Considerations:

• Functional expertise with PeopleSoft Student Administration System
• Excellent interpersonal and public communications skills
• Ability to work effectively in a fast paced environment
• Flexibility to work evening and weekend hours as needed
• Understanding of technology to deliver student financial aid
• Embrace technology and appreciate how to use it to enhance service to students
• Individual exercises discretion and independent judgment
• Individual must be able to interpret complex federal regulations and apply them consistently and equitably on a daily basis
• Brings problems not of a routine nature to the attention of the manager
• Supervises 1 - 5 student employees
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral communications skills required
• Communications on a regular basis with other offices
• Coordinates information sessions with external agencies
• The ability to work effectively with diverse groups

Special Instructions to Applicants:

Only Internal Professional (SEIU 888 Professional Union) Bargaining candidates will be considered during the first 10 business days of the posting. All other candidates will be considered after that period.

This is a SEIU 888 Professional Union position, Grade P16.

Initial review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled. However, the position may close when an adequate number of qualified applications is received.

Please include a resume and cover letter with your application. Names and contact information of three references will be required at the time of application.