Financial Aid Specialist

About Unity College:

For more than fifty years, Unity College has been preparing the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders to successfully face real-world challenges. With environmentally focused degrees, Unity College offers affordable and accessible Associate degrees, Baccalaureate degrees, Masters degrees, certificates, and non-degree courses through a variety of modalities including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online.

Our Mission:

Through the framework of sustainability science, Unity College provides a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Through experiential and collaborative learning, our graduates emerge as responsible citizens, environmental stewards, and visionary leaders.

Job Overview:

The Financial Aid Specialist (FAS) supports the Assistant Director Financial Aid through the administration and dissemination of Financial Aid policies and procedures for Unity College students. This is a generalist position that will support all growing Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) . . This position is responsible for working directly with Unity College students to support them in managing their financial needs and requirements. The FAS will manage and use student financial aid programs and financial aid information systems, as well as report and retrieve information for program management and reports. Work will involve using Financial Aid Management Systems, Student Billing Software, and the Student Information System.

Responsibilities:

• Monitor program compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies through the use of system and quality controls.
• Conduct student aid reviews including needs analysis, budgeting, billing, packaging, verification, loan processing, certification, and tracking.
• Counsel students individually or in groups on financial aid and student account matters such as application procedures, borrowing, employment, outside aid, other funding, payment plans and alternative funding.
• Assist in adjusting financial aid awards.
• Answer in-coming phone calls and emails received in the general financial aid email box.
• Support with the communication to students and/or parents regarding the student billing process and payment options.
• Provide support and clarification to the decentralized Recruitment and Student Success teams on relaying Financial Aid updates to admitted and current students.
• Coordinate the mailing of lender notifications-entrance and exit counseling, bills, and award letters.
• Assist in the creation, revision, and updating of publications, standardized letters, manuals, and forms used in student aid
• Review and maintain student files
• Support with the soft collect outreach to students to assist with completing paperwork and payment options.
• Coordinate the integration of student financial aid processes for all SEBUs.
• Perform outreach activities as assigned by the Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
• Attend required trainings to learn and maintain required skills to perform all duties for Financial Aid.
• Assist in supervision of work study students. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the institutions policies and applicable laws.
• Support the billing holds process
• Pro-actively communicate challenges, successes, and failures with leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelors degree and a minimum of 1 -2 years job related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Basic knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and a demonstrated commitment to student aid.
• Basic knowledge of accounting and billing services.
• Must be capable of independent judgement, highly motivated with strong organizational skills.
• Must be flexible with good interpersonal skills.
• Able to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.
• Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals.
• Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff, managers, and the general public.
• Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Extensive knowledge of computerized data base systems, word processing and spreadsheets.
• Able to define problems, collect data establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Able to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.
• Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous and well poised.

Work Schedule:

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Colleges needs. Although Unity College employees are generally scheduled to work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity College location.

Physical Demands:

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.