Financial Aid Representative

The Financial Aid Support Staff is responsible for assisting students in understanding their financial aid eligibility, processing required documents, and ensuring compliance with applicable regulations. This role includes interacting with students to explain aid eligibility, provide assistance with document submissions, and maintain accurate student files to support financial aid decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Customer Service: Provide excellent customer service to individuals seeking financial aid information and assistance.
2. Eligibility Analysis: Analyze ISIRs (Institutional Student Information Records) to assist in explaining financial aid eligibility and unsatisfied requirements.
3. Clear Communication: Clearly communicate financial aid eligibility, necessary next steps, and deadlines to students.
4. Document Assistance: Guide students in providing additional documents needed to complete their financial aid process, and assist in document completion.
5. Review and Accuracy: Review completed documents for accuracy and eligibility determination.
6. Student Portal Navigation: Direct students to their student portal to review, accept, or update their financial aid eligibility.
7. External Resources: Guide students to relevant Department of Education websites based on their individual financial aid needs and eligibility status.
8. File Maintenance: Properly maintain student files to ensure eligibility for financial aid is accurately recorded.
9. Policy Guidance: Assist students with specific inquiries regarding dependency overrides, UEH (Unusual Enrollment History) status, federal verification, and Illinois residency verification.
10. Other Duties: Perform additional related duties as assigned by supervisor.

Minimum Qualifications:

1. Education: High school graduation or equivalent.
2. Experience:
   • Option A: Two years of general office experience, or
   • Option B: An Associate degree, or
   • Option C: Two years of college coursework, or
   • Option D: A combination of education and office experience totaling two years.
3. Financial Aid Experience: At least one year of experience handling student employment, loans, or scholarship programs in addition to the qualifications listed above.

Preferred Qualifications:

1. Knowledge of College Operations: Understanding of general college operations, particularly in financial aid.
2. Interviewing Skills: Ability to conduct effective interviews and assess student needs and eligibility.

Physical Requirements:

• Work Type: Sedentary, primarily sitting/standing for extended periods.
• Office Environment: General office setting with no adverse environmental conditions.