Financial Aid Officer

Job description

The Financial Aid Officer is part of the dynamic Office of Student Financial Aid and Scholarships (OSFA) team within Enrollment Affairs at Vanderbilt University. The individual in this role assists in the overall administration of institutional, federal, state, and private financial aid funds to both undergraduate and graduate/professional students. Reporting to the Associate Director for Programs, the Financial Aid Officer will also support OSFA by counseling students and parents regarding the financial aid application process and reviewing awards.

The OSFA is responsible for providing financial assistance to students whose economic circumstances are such that they could not otherwise afford to attend. In addition, we provide limited merit-based assistance to select undergraduate students who demonstrate exceptional accomplishment and intellectual promise.

Vanderbilt welcomes students who can benefit from and contribute to the community, regardless of their financial situation. The University is committed to reviewing applicants for admission without regard to their financial need, then assistance is awarded to any student who establishes eligibility for such need-based assistance on the basis of family financial criteria.

Duties and Responsibilities

* Utilizing our automated financial aid management system (PeopleSoft) and other operating system software, produce and process applications for financial aid; determine eligibility for federal, state, university and other aid programs for both undergraduate and graduate/professional students.
* Resolve problems and respond to students and parent inquiries concerning the various financial aid program activities and processes, as well as provide counseling and guidance for families relative to the processing of their financial aid.
* Attend workshops and conferences, review relevant professional publications and take action as appropriate to remain informed of and be able to respond to legislative and other changes affecting the administration of student financial aid.
* Achieve a broad knowledge and understanding of federal and institutional methodology as it relates to federal, state, university, and other aid programs.
* Accomplish required verification of the accuracy of financial data and other detailed information submitted by students and families on financial aid application materials.
* Thoughtfully and promptly respond to an aid applicant's/recipient's change in the family's financial situation.
* Think independently and make sound professional judgment decisions in situations when consideration is being given to special circumstances that affect a family's ability to contribute to the student's cost of attending. The Financial Aid Officer regularly assists with these by exercising professional judgment.
* Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

* A bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is necessary.
* A master's degree from an accredited institution of higher education is preferred.
* At least two years of related experience is preferred.
* Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook is necessary.
* Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively in a team environment is necessary.
* The ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing is necessary.
* The ability to make administrative/procedural decisions and judgments is necessary.
* Knowledge of financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility requirements is preferred.
* Experience in administering federal financial aid programs is preferred.
* Knowledge of Oracle/PeopleSoft Student Administration software is preferred.

Commitment to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

At Vanderbilt University, we are intentional about and assume accountability for fostering advancement and respect for equity, diversity, and inclusion for all students, faculty, and staff. Our commitment to diversity makes us who we are. We have created a community that celebrates differences and lets individuality thrive. As part of this commitment, we actively value diversity in our workplace and learning environments as we seek to take advantage of the rich backgrounds and abilities of everyone. The diverse voices of Vanderbilt represent an invaluable resource for the University in its efforts to fulfill its mission and strive to be an example of excellence in higher education.

Vanderbilt University is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer. Women, minorities, people with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply.

Please note, all candidates selected for an offer of employment are subject to pre-employment background checks, which may include but are not limited to, based on the role for which they have been selected: criminal history, education verification, social media review, motor vehicle records, credit history, and professional license verification.