Financial Aid Professional III

The Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid is seeking a dynamic professional who has experience in both financial aid programs and Tribal related funding for Native American students and Title IV Federal Financial Aid. Project Coordinators work under their own initiative with limited supervision but will also work closely with others within OSFA and with campus and external partners. This position will be responsible for processing Tribal financial aid, providing direct support to University of Arizona Native American students and providing financial aid information to Native communities to help support Indigenous students in enrolling in and graduating from the University of Arizona.

Outstanding UA benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; UA/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to UA recreation and cultural activities; and more!

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OUTREACH:

• Communicate and present information to parents and students regarding Title IV Federal Financial Aid including application instructions, types of financial aid and financial aid eligibility.
• Assist in the development, planning, and implementation of a holistic outreach plan to increase the recruitment and retention of Native students.
• Assist with the development of and updates to publications, brochures, email communications, social media posts, and OSFA website/webpages that pertain to Native students.
• Provide support in the planning, coordination, and successful execution of outreach, workshops, receptions, and other events.
• Promote and support events that bring Native students and community to campus.
• Collaborate with and present financial aid related material at various high schools, school districts, community colleges, and University personnel to coordinate outreach for incoming students.
• Communicate federal, state, and institutional aid regulations and policies to campus partners, outside organizations such as tribal aid offices, and students.
• Provide information regarding Financial Aid policies and procedures, terms, and programs for various types of financial aid (to include Title IV Federal Aid, Institutional, Scholarships) to students, parents, faculty, and staff.

PROCESSING/ADMINISTRATIVE:

• Responsible for the review and processing of Financial Needs Analysis (FNA) requests received by OSFA from students, Tribes, and Tribal Scholarship organizations.
• Oversee the receipt and processing of Tribal awards/scholarship funding received to ensure funds are accurately awarded to students in a timely manner.
• Collaborate and partner with Tribes, Tribal scholarship organizations, campus, and other external partners as it relates to funding awarded to Native students attending the University of Arizona and how that funding is coordinated with Title IV Federal Financial Aid and other Institutional financial aid.
• Interact with Federal Financial Aid Systems to review and determine Title IV Federal Financial Aid eligibility.
• Read, comprehend, and comply with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies pertaining to the provision of student financial aid.
• Help resolve issues and follow up with customers while ensuring full customer satisfaction without unnecessarily referring customers to other staff members/departments.
• Monitor the disbursement of tribal funding on student’s accounts to ensure disbursement is in alignment with the tribe’s awarding guidelines.
• Comprehend and clearly communicate the federal verification processes, aid eligibility issues and resolution, special circumstance appeal process and corresponding documentation requirements and deadlines.
• Explain the various elements of the Cost of Attendance and how it impacts aid eligibility and aid offers, and support students towards best possible outcomes.
• Identify and prioritize problems; perform research, offer solutions, options, and strategies. Refer to appropriate person or department as needed, and/or arrange for required support for student. Use information systems to input data, maintain databases, perform research for projects or issues and generate reports.
• Evaluate program effectiveness to develop improved methods.
• Participate in all meetings & committees assigned, provide new ideas and support.
• Interact effectively as a member of a team and working collaboratively with others.
• Analyze the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other UAccess data on students to determine aid eligibility within federal, donor and/or institutional guidelines.

STUDENT SUPPORT:

• Provide direct support to University of Arizona Native students via various modalities, including phone, email, in-person, and zoom.
• Collaborate with campus programs to help Native students take part in critical financial aid and other support services.
• Develop and maintain support networks within the University of Arizona and the Native American community.
• Help establish relationships with relevant student organizations.
• Collaborate with various campus partners, including Admissions, Advising, and the Native American Student Affairs office, to support the outreach, recruitment, and retention of Native American students.
• Support academic advisors and other campus partners working directly with Native students by providing regular financial aid updates, assistance, and general information regarding the processing of Title IV, institutional and tribal aid.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge and understanding of Native American student academic needs and challenges to access higher education.
• Knowledge of government, donor and/or institutional rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures for awarding financial aid.
• Specific knowledge and experience with Title IV Financial Aid policies, procedures, and practices.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge of the practices and procedures for the processing of Financial Needs Analysis for Tribal awards/scholarship funding.
• Effective presentation and interpersonal skills geared specifically for a Native audience and community.
• Interpret and apply program rules and regulations.
• Ability to effectively communicate and develop working relationships with Native American students, campus partners, tribal education offices and other relevant parties.
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking and problem solving.
• Collect, compile, analyze and evaluate financial aid data and make verbal or written presentations to students based on this data.
• Educate groups of students on general financial aid matters.
• Recognize multicultural, multi-sexed and multi-aged value systems and work accordingly.

• Bachelor’s degree in business or public administration, Education, American Indian Studies or other related field AND 5 years of experience in Title IV Federal Financial Aid and Tribal related funding; OR,
• 9 years of direct experience in Title IV Financial Aid, student counseling, or directly related experience; OR,
• Equivalent combination of experience, training and/or education as approved by Human Resources.