What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Services Specialist position at Western Michigan University?
Position Details
Posting Summary
College
Assoc Provost Enrollment Mgmt
Executive Area
Provost & VP Academic Affairs
Department
Student Financial Aid
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S1026P
Job Type
Full Time, Regular
Pay Type
Exempt/Salaried
Pay Grade
D
Campus Location
WMU-Kalamazoo - Main Campus
Salary Range
Pay is commensurate with qualifications and experience, combined with an excellent benefits package.
Number of Vacancies
General Summary
- Provides financial aid counseling, billing, cashiering and other financial services for students.
Major Duties
- Advises and counsels students, parents and prospective students with questions about financial obligations. Offers alternative solutions.
- Communicates with students and parents to answer questions and resolve issues regarding status of financial aid application and application process. Responds to email inquiries. Processes internal and external verification forms.
- Advises on University policy and procedures affecting billing accounts, disbursement or repayment of financial aid.
- Provides customer service and counseling to students and families whose financial circumstances change or threaten the students’ ability to pay their financial obligations.
- Evaluates and makes decisions regarding the appeal process in financial aid, including processing of all payment types, investigating disputed charges, arranging payment agreements and authorizing short term loans. Contacts individuals regarding outstanding balances.
- Calculates financial need and performs monetary transactions. Monitors and audits student billing accounts.
- Collaborates with office team to provide backup coverage for drop-ins, phone calls, email support, and on-call duties as needed. Serves as a student financial aid liaison for an assigned college, addressing escalated inquiries from students, parents, and departmental staff.
- May conduct training and workshops on updated financial aid policies, processes and procedures.
- Hires, trains, evaluates and supervises staff and student employees.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in related field from an accredited institution, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- One year’s relevant experience.
- Strong interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
- Familiarity of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations and guidelines.
Desired Qualifications
Special Instructions to Applicants
- Internal applicants should use the WMU – Internal Application.
- External applicants should use the WMU – Application.
Additional Position Information
- Staff Compensation System pay grades and rates are available
- Western Michigan University offers generous benefits to its employees including health, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, retirement, and tuition discount for the employee and tuition remission for eligible dependents. To access information about the specific benefits available for this position, GO TO: https://www.wmich.edu/hr/enrollment-staff
Physical requirements and working conditions
- Office or other indoor work with minimal physical demands such as occasionally lifting or moving materials less than 25 pounds.
- Work is generally performed in a well-lit, temperature-controlled indoor environment with occasional exposure to the outdoors or any number of elements.
