Navigation Specialist Financial Aid

Advances student retention and graduation by providing student develop, implementation, and support as part of the Navigator Network.

• Partners within the Empowering Futures Navigator Network to ensure participating students are financially informed to address potential barriers.
• Coordinates with other stakeholders across the university to address questions and provide solutions regarding financial concerns of new students that are part of Empowering Futures.
• Advises and counsels students, parents, and prospective students experiencing immediate and emergency situations that threaten financial obligations.
• Advises and counsels regarding University policy and procedures affecting billing, disbursement or repayment of financial aid.
• Maintains working knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations, guidelines and forms to implement disbursement and billing of financial aid.
• Retains understanding of student information, University and federal government supported systems.
• Evaluates and makes independent, professional judgments regarding appeal processes in financial aid.
• Recommends campus and community resources that are available to assist high need students and families.
• Reviews referrals and recommends or awards funding for special programs. Assists with the processing of one-time funding awards.
• Provides financial literacy resources to students within the Navigator's Network. Creates and delivers outreach activities pertaining to financial aid through workshops and presentations, on and off-campus.
• Assists in developing and revising financial aid and literacy materials for students, prospective students and their parents, colleges, departments and University use. Assists in planning and executing of presentations and special events for specific audiences regarding Student Financial Aid services and literacy planning in support of departmental initiatives.

Minimum qualifications based upon job documentation and industry best practices. Any current employees not meeting these qualifications will be grandfathered until they move to a different job.

• Bachelor's degree in related field from an accredited institution.

• Three year's relevant experience.
• Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
• Public speaking experience.
• Familiarity with state and federal regulations pertaining to financial aid programs.
• Ability to apply analytical and problem-solving skills to a wide variety of financial situations.
• Proficiency with word-processing and spreadsheets.
• Proficiency using and querying databases.
• Solid teamwork skills.
• Customer service skills.
• Experience providing guidance to students and other constituents.
• Demonstrated interest, skills, and experience working with diverse groups, program development, program implementation, and coaching.

• Ability to work irregular shifts and extended hours, including weekends.
• Ability to interact with students and other constituents both in-person and virtual.

Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.

Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.

Revised: 2023-06-07