Student Finance Representative - Verification Specialist

Overview

Who We Are:

For 140 years, National Louis University has been driven by one core belief: education changes lives. Since our founding, we've stayed grounded in the values of innovation, access, excellence, and equity, and we've never wavered from the idea that education is the greatest lever for social and economic mobility. We are a student-focused community built on continuous improvement and a genuine commitment to serving those we teach. Through education, we empower change and build stronger, healthier communities. Our hard-working team runs on collaboration and mutual respect, for one another and for every student we serve.

What You Will Do:

As a Student Finance Verification Specialist, you will be a key member of our Financial Aid team, helping students get the aid they qualify for by making sure their applications are complete and accurate. You will import FAFSA data from the U.S. Department of Education, review it for accuracy, and work directly with students to resolve any questions or missing information. When a student’s situation doesn’t fit standard rules, you will use professional judgment to evaluate their circumstances case by case.

Day to day, you will:

• Contact students by to explain verification requirements, request missing or additional documentation, and guide them through the steps needed to complete their file
• Follow up with students and families on outstanding items and provide clear, timely updates on the status of their verification
• Resolve flagged issues and conflicts on Institutional Student Information Records (ISIRs), including C-flag (comment code) issues
• Submit FAFSA corrections to clear discrepancies
• Review student records in the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) to determine aggregate federal loan amounts
• Award TEACH Grants and confirm that students meet the eligibility requirements
• Serve as a backup financial aid packager when needed

Essential Responsibilities

Verification and file review

• Review student financial aid files for completeness and accuracy, confirm that all required forms have been submitted, and identify any changes or updates needed
• Reach out to students to help them resolve missing financial aid documents and complete the verification process
• Communicate required updates and next steps to students in a clear, timely, and supportive manner
• Review and approve student financial aid appeals (in accordance with policy)

FAFSA processing

• Electronically import FAFSA data from the U.S. Department of Education, load files, match data, and resolve conflicting information or other issues

TEACH Grant administration

• Manage the TEACH Grant awarding process, including reviewing student applications and determining eligibility
• Communicate service obligation requirements to students so they understand the terms of the grant
• Review eligibility each term and check Department of Education financial aid systems to ensure students do not exceed annual or aggregate award limits

Federal loan analysis (NSLDS)

• Analyze National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) information to determine aggregate loan amounts and outstanding Subsidized and Unsubsidized balances, and compare the results with consolidated loan information
• Review aggregate totals, canceled loans, and returned funds to identify over-awarded loans or grants, bankruptcies, or defaults

Compliance and backup packaging

• Stay current on federal, state, and institutional regulations and work with the management team to implement required changes
• Serve as backup financial aid packager when needed, preparing financial aid awards and ensuring they meet federal, state, and institutional requirements

Qualifications

• High School Diploma/GED plus significant related work experience required. Associates or Bachelor's degree preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of related work experience
• Customer Focus - Personally demonstrates that external (or internal) customers are a high priority. Identifies customer needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner. Anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the customer. Keeps customers informed about the status of pending actions and inquires about customer satisfaction with products or services.
• Flexibility - Adjusts quickly and effectively to changing conditions and demands. Discusses change as a necessary and inevitable aspect of organizational life as well as an opportunity to learn new things. Has a similar view and approach to potentially stressful situations. Invests personal energy toward accepting and adapting to change that others use toward resisting or resenting it.
• Problem Solving - Takes a proactive approach to anticipating and preventing problems. When problems occur, defines those problems, investigates obstacles, gathers relevant information, decides whether solving the problem should be a group decision, generates and analyzes alternate solutions and arrives at a workable solution.
• Quality of Work - Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail and reflects well on the organization. Is personally committed to high quality work and encourages others to have similar standards

NLU Inclusion Statement:

National Louis University is deeply committed to serving its community, advancing access and equity, and ensuring that all individuals are welcomed and valued.  We are dedicated to fostering a culture where diversity, equity, and inclusion remain at the core of who we are. These are more than just words to us: they are truly a way of life for the NLU community. We recognize that differences in abilities, age, ethnicity, gender (identity and expression), race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, and background bring richness to our work environment. We affirm diverse perspectives, innovative contributions, and authentic presentations of self from every member within the NLU community. We believe inclusion is grounded in the actions we intentionally take each day. Our goal is to inspire and empower NLU employees and community members to cultivate an environment where we collectively focus on uplifting and advancing our institutional culture.

Compensation and Benefits

At National Louis University, we offer our employees an innovative environment to work together and inspire the ideas that will make an impact. As our external environment changes, our employees are provided the opportunities and tools needed to grow both personally and professionally to remain successful. NLU employees and dependents are offered a wide range of benefits, including but not limited to, Health Insurance benefits, Retirement benefits, Paid Time Off and Educational Opportunities. Additional information regarding full-time staff benefits can be found here.

The salary range of the grade for this position is $20.16 to $28.22 per hour (typical workweek is 37.5 hours).  Compensation decisions are dependent upon the facts and circumstances of each position and candidate.  Offers are based on multiple factors permitted by law, including but not limited to: budgetary considerations, job-related knowledge/skills, experience, market considerations, tenure and standing with the university (applicable to current employees), and internal equity. 

Application Instructions

Please Include the following along with your application:

• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Optional)

NLU Employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form