POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Information Specialist, Student Financial Aid
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 3531
GRADE 13
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Information Specialist Supervisor
MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Assistant Director Student Financial Aid
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Information Specialist provides the first and primary contact for students and parents with the Financial Aid Office. The Information Specialist provides accurate, timely, and detailed information on the status of individual student’s aid packages, federal requirements for various aid programs, the application process for financial assistance, exceptions, special issues, disbursements, etc. The Information Specialist processes and approves short-term loans, schedules appointments with counselors, and accepts scholarship and agency funds from students.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience: A high school diploma or the equivalent and four years of general office experience or an equivalent combination of education and general office experience is required. Experience requiring the administration of complex processes and independent decision-making is preferred.
Skills: Strong written and verbal communication skills are required, with the ability to handle large volumes of telephone calls and face to face inquiries in a friendly and professional manner is required. Computer literacy in the use of personal computers and/or mainframe computers is required and includes keyboarding ability and a functional knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, or database management. Knowledge in operating electronic, photocopier or other standard office machines, maintaining complex filing systems and records, making arithmetic calculations, and reconciling records is required. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
Effort: Clerical positions are primarily sedentary. Clerical positions require keyboarding on a daily basis, which may be extensive at times.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Provides accurate, timely information to students and parents regarding student financial aid processes and products and creates a favorable impression of the University by maintaining a current understanding of federal eligibility rules and university processes, providing accurate information about the application process and the status of aid payments, disbursements, and electronic fund transfers, providing information about approved lending institutions, the functions of loan servicers, and the role of the guarantee agencies, advising students on exceptions to guidelines, special circumstance issues, satisfactory academic progress, uncommon family expenses, and alternative loan options, and advising students on their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid.
2. Provides accurate information to students by evaluating information provided by students, asking appropriate questions to elicit the required information needed to provide the correct information, and determining admission and degree classifications.
3. Assists students in obtaining short term loans by determining if eligibility requirements are met, approving designated university funds for short-term loans, and authorizing payment to students.
4. Facilitates student access to financial aid programs by determining the need for the student to meet with a counselor and making the appointment.
5. Supports the Office of Student Financial Aid by accepting scholarship and/or agency funds from students and parents and advising students on University and federal policy regarding front-end withdrawals from the University.
6. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
7. Remains competent and current through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses and videoconferences, and attending training for updates on federal and state financial assistance programs as required by the Director of Financial Aid.
8. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Student Financial Aid by performing all other duties as required.
SUPERVISION
The Information Specialist is supervised by the Information Specialist Supervisor and may supervise part time and student employees.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JANUARY 2017
