Location
ST. LOUIS, MO 63110
Scheduled Hours
40
Position Summary
Under the direction of the Senior Assistant Director of Financial Aid & Compliance, the Financial Aid Awards Specialist administers financial aid programs for graduate and professional students, ensuring compliance with federal, state, institutional, and Veterans Affairs regulations, including the Yellow Ribbon Program. Serves as a primary resource for students and program coordinators, providing guidance on financial aid, awarding, and compliance while delivering exceptional customer service. Works collaboratively across the school and campus partners, managing financial aid processes; supports regulatory compliance, develops and maintains policies and procedures, and identifies opportunities to improve operations.
Job Description
Primary Duties & Responsibilities:
Communication, Student Advising & Collaboration:
Serves as the primary point of contact for prospective and current students, staff, and program coordinators regarding financial aid policies, eligibility, awarding, and student account questions.
Provides individualized financial aid counseling and answer complex questions related to federal, state, institutional, and university financial aid programs.
Develops and delivers presentations, workshops, and training sessions for students and academic program leadership on financial aid processes, policies, and available funding opportunities.
Collaborates with master's program coordinators and campus partners to support student enrollment, retention, and financial aid planning.
Communicates complex financial aid regulations and institutional policies in a clear, accurate, and student-centered manner through written, verbal, and electronic communications.
Builds and maintains collaborative relationships with university departments, external agencies, and students to ensure exceptional customer service and consistent application of financial aid policies.
Student Awarding & Compliance:
Administers federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs from application through awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, and reporting.
Reviews student eligibility and process financial aid awards while ensuring compliance with all applicable federal, state, accrediting, and institutional regulations.
Maintains student financial aid records and documentation to support regulatory compliance, audit readiness, and data integrity.
Utilizes ScholarNet, ELM, PowerFAIDS, Workday Student, and related systems to administer financial aid programs, maintain accurate student records, and generate required reports.
Monitors regulatory changes, recommend policy updates, develop procedures, and identify opportunities to improve operational efficiency and compliance.
Veterans Benefits & Yellow Ribbon:
Administers Veterans Affairs educational benefits, including the Yellow Ribbon Program, ensuring accurate certification, timely processing, and compliance with federal VA requirements while serving as a resource for military-affiliated students.
Operational Support & Continuous Improvement:
Participates in departmental initiatives, special projects, policy development, and process improvement efforts that enhance operational effectiveness and the student experience.
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work performed by people assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all job duties performed by the personnel so classified. Management reserves the right to revise or amend duties at any time.
Required Qualifications
Education:
Bachelor's degree
Certifications /Professional Licenses :
No specific certification/professional license is required for this position.
Work Experience:
Relevant Experience (3 Years)
Skills:
Not Applicable
Driver's License:
A driver's license is not required for this position.
More About This Job
WashU seeks highly motivated individuals who are able to…