OPT Finance Specialist Jobs

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:

National Louis University is seeking applicants interested in joining our team as a Student Finance Representative. This position is responsible for reviewing student files, evaluating financial aid applications, awarding and advising students on their eligibility for Title IV funding. Positions assigned to this classification will have a high technical knowledge of financial aid programs and procedures to independently assist students and peers over the phone and via electronic correspondence.

The position requires analytical skills and the ability to work independently and with a sense of urgency. In addition, the position requires that all job responsibilities are completed accurately and compliantly in accordance with Title IV regulations.

Essential Responsibilities:

• Comply with all Federal, State, and institutional policies and procedures. Ability to understand and interpret Title IV regulations. Ensure NLU’s continued compliance as established by accrediting agencies, state entities and current established company targets. Review all student financial aid files for completeness, accuracy and ensure verification requirements are met. Perform outreach to students as needed in order to advise them on their financial aid eligibility and potential funding options. Post related award data into student information system to ensure timely and accurate disbursements.
• Calculate award grant and loan eligibility using a borrower based academic year (BBAY) or standard academic year (SAY) and certify federal and private student loans. Maintain knowledge of Federal Student Aid and internal University awarding, disbursing, and refund regulations. Perform verification of student financial aid eligibility as needed. Maintain and coordinate awarding and student aging reports and actively outreach students to resolve issues.
• Accurately advise students on BBAY and SAY loan eligibility. Review, analyze, and provide solutions to escalated student issues and communicate proposed solutions back to the appropriate party. Identify areas of opportunities to management and work on developing potential solutions.
• Ensure ethical and accurate documentation and record keeping which meets all company and regulatory agency standards. Provide exceptional customer service to both internal and external customers via phone and email. Participate as an active team member of the Student Finance Office and ensure active communication and cohesive working relationships with all other departments.
• May manage student workers as appropriate.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred, High School diploma or GED considered with several years of experience.
• Minimum of 1 year of related experience in higher education or related field.
• 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)
• Current NLU employees please also submit an Internal Posting Form