Financial Aid Administrator

If you're passionate about building a better future for individuals, communities, and our country-and you're committed to working hard to play your part in building that future-consider WGU as the next step in your career.

Driven by a mission to expand access to higher education through online, competency-based degree programs, WGU is also committed to being a great place to work for a diverse workforce of student-focused professionals. The university has pioneered a new way to learn in the 21st century, one that has received praise from academic, industry, government, and media leaders. Whatever your role, working for WGU gives you a part to play in helping students graduate, creating a better tomorrow for themselves and their families.

The salary range for this position takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including but not limited to skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs.

At WGU, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their position, and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is:

Job Description

Job Profile Summary:

A Financial Aid Administrator is a professional contributor position requiring federal and state financial aid knowledge and skills. The FAA will need to understand all the financial aid processes from Precertification to Packaging including the ability to understand and process all aspects of a student's Financial Aid eligibility. This position will ensure compliance with the Department of Education regulations. This position is focused primarily on processing financial aid and works with the Financial Aid Counselor team in areas of need. Thoroughly research student accounts and understand all aspects of financial aid regulations and ensure compliance. Exercise independent judgment with complex assignments using standard practices, methods, policies and procedures to determine appropriate action. Assignment to the processing team most in need. The FAA position will require independent work and student financial aid knowledge.

This individual must have the ability to move from varying Financial Aid Teams within WGU, process a student's Financial Aid Award at any point of the process, and work flexibly with the Associate Director to determine the departments immediate needs.

Essential Functions and Responsibilities:

• Banner Financial Aid Subject Matter Expert
• Provide systems training for upgrades, new releases or new products and assist with regression testing for the Banner Financial Aid module
• Work with EdTech, Engineers, and Business colleagues explaining complex data and research issues in a professional manner to provide comprehensive and high-level technology support for the Financial Aid Department
• Establish and maintain relationships with 3rd party vendors and software providers and act as liaison with these external companies
• Work directly with end-users to track, troubleshoot and resolve issues/problems with Financial Aid systems, specifically: Banner; SalesForce, OnBase products, and Campus Logic products.
• Administer and maintain FA Sharepoint site
• Produce custom and standard reports, and in-depth analysis of Financial Aid data, using Oracle SQL Developer
• Troubleshoot and resolve issues related to daily data load process of ISIR and COD files with an understanding of the common line files used by Department of Education to transmit files
• Develop an in-depth knowledge/understanding of the Financial Aid systems
• Familiarity with databases and processes as it relates to Federal Aid
• Maintain a working knowledge of academic years, award years, and SAP, Precertification requirements, Packaging requirements, and/or SAP or PJ requirements.
• Process Precertification, Packaging, SAP, and other FA cases.
• Coordinate with multiple teams to assess technology needs.
• Research thoroughly accounts in Banner, SalesForce, Department of Education database and numerous state grant databases.
• Display proficiency in cross-functional coordination by acting as a liaison on behalf of the student within WGU departments.
• Provide excellent customer service for interdepartmental relationships
• Work independently, within a team and cross-functionally with outside state agencies and within WGU
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skill and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of financial aid
• Attention to detail
• Critical, Analytical and Strategic thinking
• Teamwork in all areas
• Customer service oriented
• Well organized
• Detail Oriented
• Strong interpersonal and organization skills
• Team player
• Ability to assist and support others
• Adapt well to change

Competencies:

Organizational Impact:

• Tasks are accomplished by following a defined standard or set of procedures to achieve day to day objectives with direct impact on the area of specialty.
• The work is performed under moderate supervision and consists of routine tasks that may require advice and guidance from more senior personnel in the same area.

Problem Solving and Decision Making:

• Reviews solutions and employs minor adjustments to work methods to solve problems that are routine and typically exist in current work processes and systems.
• May be required to highlight areas of concerns/problems and offer potential solutions.
• Problems and issues faced are generally routine but may require interpretation of procedures or polices to resolve.

Communication and Influence:

• Communication with contacts within the job area is typical, and information that is provided or obtained may require some explanation or interpretation to reach agreement.

Leadership & Talent Management:

• May provide minimal guidance and assistance to new or entry level employees.

Job Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.

• 2 years of experience in postsecondary education financial aid.

• Extensive knowledge of Federal Title IV regulations and WGU Financial Aid Policies.

• Must be in good standing with the US Department of Education, no loans in default.

• Experience with Banner, SalesForce, OnBase, and US DOE websites.

• Intermediate experience in Excel.

• General knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 4 years of experience in postsecondary education financial aid.

• 2+ NASFAA credentials.

• Cross-trained in multiple financial aid skill sets.

• SQL experience.

• Advanced Excel Skills.

Physical Requirements:

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Must be able to lift up to 15 pounds at times.

Disclaimer: This Job Description has been designed to indicate the general nature, essential duties, and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this classification. It does not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications that are required of the employee to do this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. This Job Description does not constitute a contract of employment and the University may exercise its employment-at-will rights at any time.

Position & Application Details

How to Apply: If interested, an application will need to be submitted online. Internal WGU employees will need to apply through the internal job board in Workday.

Additional Information

Disclaimer: The job posting highlights the most critical responsibilities and requirements of the job. It's not all-inclusive.

Accommodations: Applicants with disabilities who require assistance or accommodation during the application or interview process should contact our Talent Acquisition team at recruiting@wgu.edu.

Equal Employment Opportunity: All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to any protected characteristic as required by law.