Financial Aid Officer

Financial Aid Officer
Rasmussen University
Online/Remote

The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for reviewing student financial aid eligibility documentation and preparing accurate financial aid award packages for prospective and current students, while ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, audit requirements, and the University’s policies and practices.

Responsibilities:

Processing and Awarding - 45%

• Implement financial aid policies as directed, ensuring compliance with state and federal regulations, audit requirements and the organization’s policies.
• Review financial aid applications and eligibility documentation submitted by the student to determine eligibility for financial aid awards.
• Responsible for completing verification according to established federal regulations, quality assurance and comment (C) code resolution.
• Provide information through the student information system, to admissions and advising team members, in an effort to obtain missing documentation needed from the student to complete the financial aid application.
• Maintain minimum weekly award package completion rates as defined by Student Financial Aid leadership.
• Maintain accurate knowledge of the organization’s products and services.
• Remain current in the financial aid field through professional development, such as workshops, conferences, state and regional associations and course work.
• Ensure accurate and effective representation of the organization and follow-through with prospective students, enrolled students, business community and high school officials.
• Work effectively with all employees, in particular admissions and advising team members and maintain a professional image at all times.

Record Keeping/Documentation - 45%

• Prepare financial aid award packages based on documentation submitted.
• Follow processes and procedures that streamline the awarding and delivery of the aid programs.
• Review and certify private loan applications on a weekly basis. Ensure accurate and timely tracking and documentation of such.
• Accurately track financial awarding to ensure timely approval and payment.
• Maintain eligibility to access the National Student Loan Data System, (NSLDS), as defined by the US Department of Education. To maintain access to NSLDS, one must not have defaulted on any student loan in the past, be in default currently or have issues with access to NSLDS in the future.

Other - 10%

• Attend and participate in team, SFA department meetings for the purpose of obtaining and sharing information.
• Participate in lean processes and strategic planning activities.
• Embody the spirit of the organization’s mission and vision in daily activities.
• Support and contribute towards the organization’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Perform other duties as directed, requested or assigned.
• Per the US Department of Education Program Integrity Rules, postsecondary institutions that participate in the student financial assistance programs pursuant to Title IV of the Higher Education Act (HEA) are barred from providing incentive payments to any person or entity engaged in student recruiting and/or admissions activities.

Reporting Relationships:

The Financial Aid Officer reports directly to the Manager, Financial Aid Processing and Awarding. This position does not have direct reports.

Requirements:

• Associate degree in Accounting, Business, Finance or related field; Bachelor’s degree preferred.
• Minimum of one to three years of relevant experience and/or training, or equivalent combination of education and experience, preferably within a financial aid, finance counseling or loan processing environment.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent organization and time management skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple demands with minimal supervision; maintain records and files with precision and accuracy.
• High level of professionalism and telephone etiquette.
• Excellent customer service skills.
• High aptitude for math.
• General knowledge of the higher education industry preferred, but not required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite, with an emphasis on Outlook, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Working knowledge of financial software, CampusNexus, preferred.
• Strong command of the English language, in both oral and written form.

About Us:

Rasmussen University, a university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, an institutional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education (www.hlcommission.org), is dedicated to changing lives and the communities it serves through innovative educational programs. As a pioneer in career-focused education since 1900, the University is defining a new generation of higher education that focuses on competency-based education, technology and transferable skills. Rasmussen offers undergraduate and graduate programs online and in person at 20 campuses around the country. The University is designed to lift and support its students every step of the way, from each student’s first credential to their last. Rasmussen is dedicated to global enrichment, serving the underserved, and meeting the evolving needs of diverse students, communities, and economies. Rasmussen encourages its students, faculty, and staff to strive for academic excellence, community enrichment and service to the public good. Rasmussen is a wholly owned subsidiary of American Public Education, Inc. (Nasdaq: APEI). For more information about Rasmussen University, please visit www.rasmussen.edu.

It is the policy of Rasmussen University to afford equal opportunity to all qualified persons. We treat all qualified individuals equally as to their recruitment, hiring, assignments, advancements, compensation, and all other terms and conditions of employment.  Rasmussen University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, sex, age, national origin, sexual orientation, or physical, mental, or sensory disability, or any other characteristic protected by law.

If you are a resident of a state with designated pay transparency requirements and this role is available remotely, you may be eligible to receive additional information about the compensation and benefits for this role, which we will provide upon request.  Please send an email to recruiting@apei.com.