Job Details

Financial Aid Analyst

Position Number: 6935841
Location: Newport, AR
Position Type: Financial Aid

Financial Aid Analyst

Location: Newport
Job Code: 393
# of Openings: 1

Financial Aid Analyst

Arkansas State University-Newport

The Financial Aid Analyst serves as a functional lead within the Financial Aid Office, ensuring accurate, compliant, and consistent aid administration of federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs.

This position provides oversight, training, quality assurance, and regulatory guidance to Financial Aid Counselors while supporting enrollment, persistence, and completion initiatives. The Analyst strengthens institutional compliance with Title IV regulations and promotes operational excellence across all campuses.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Provide functional oversight of Financial Aid Counselors to ensure consistent interpretation and application of federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
Conduct systematic review and quality control checks to ensure accuracy, completeness, and regulatory compliance.
Review complex or escalated student cases and provide guidance to Financial Aid Counselors.
Provide individualized financial aid counseling to prospective and enrolled community college students and their families in person, by phone, and electronically, with a focus on removing financial barriers to enrollment and retention.
Assist students with completion of the FAFSA and other required applications; identify and resolve errors, conflicting information, and rejected or incomplete ISIRs in a timely manner.
Counsel students on financial aid eligibility, award offers, cost of attendance, payment options, and satisfactory academic progress (SAP), emphasizing strategies that support continued enrollment.
Conduct loan counseling, including entrance and exit counseling; educate students on responsible borrowing, repayment options, and long-term debt management.
Support students in identifying and applying for institutional, state, and external scholarships; process and track scholarship awards as applicable.
Review and collect financial aid documentation, including verification, dependency status changes, special circumstances, and professional judgment requests.
Award, adjust, and revise financial aid packages in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
Monitor student financial aid files to ensure completeness and compliance, prioritizing actions that enable students to remain enrolled.
Clearly explain financial aid policies, procedures, and student rights and responsibilities using accessible, student-friendly language.
Maintain accurate case notes and records in the student information system and financial aid management system.
Collaborate closely with Admissions, Student Accounts/Business Office, Advising, Registrar, and other campus partners to support enrollment, retention, and completion goals.
Participate in outreach and enrollment-related activities such as orientations, FAFSA nights, financial aid workshops, recruitment events, and retention initiatives.
Respond to student inquiries within established service standards, recognizing the time-sensitive nature of financial aid decisions for community college students.
Protect the confidentiality of student records in compliance with FERPA and institutional policies.
Provide front desk coverage, manage phone and email queues, and assist with daily office operations and special projects as assigned.
Stay current on changes to federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Working knowledge of Title IV federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and familiarity with state and institutional aid programs common to community colleges.
Understanding of FAFSA processing, verification, SAP, and professional judgment.
Strong customer service orientation with demonstrated ability to support diverse, first-generation, and nontraditional student populations.
Ability to explain complex financial aid regulations clearly, empathetically, and accurately.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities during peak enrollment periods.
Proficiency with student information systems and financial aid management systems and standard office software.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and handle sensitive situations with discretion.

Training and Staff Development

Deliver structured onboarding and ongoing training for Financial Aid Counselors and support staff.

Provide technical guidance related to changes in federal or state financial aid policies.

Create training materials, reference guides, and procedural documentation.

Coach staff to ensure high-quality student counseling and consistent service standard across campuses.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required OR a combination of education and experience.
Three years progressive experience in financial aid administration, including experience with Title IV processing and regulatory compliance.
Commitment to student recruiting, success, access, and retention efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

Direct experience administering Title IV financial aid programs.
Experience working in a community college.
Experience providing staff training or functional oversight

Work Environment and Expectations

Office-based position with extensive student interaction.
Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for FAFSA nights.
Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to all regulatory and institutional requirements.

Other Duties

Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission, enrollment goals, and student success initiatives of the Financial Aid Office.

To apply, please visit https://phe.tbe.taleo.net/phe03/ats/careers/v2/viewRequisition?org=ASUN&cws=37&rid=393

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