Financial Aid Analyst

Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Analyst is responsible for the overall management and coordination of the Federal Perkins, Nursing, Nursing Faculty Loan Programs (NFLP), receipting of scholarship checks, and ensuring timely processing of any excess federal funds to students per Federal regulations. Assist with annual audit schedules for Uniform Guidance and financial statement audits. Provide excellent customer service in assisting students, parents, external customers, and HPU staff via face-to-face or telephone interactions or written email or letter communications.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
* One (1) year of general accounting experience (Accounts Receivable/Accounts Payable), OR Two (2) years of college education, vocational school, or Associates Degree in the area of Accounting or Business Administration.
* Customer service experience
* Intermediate understanding and proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Word, and Outlook.
* Ability to effectively prioritize and execute tasks in a fast paced and rapidly changing environment.
* Excellent interpersonal and written and oral communication skills.
Other Qualifications:
* Report to work obligations to support the department and may require work during HPU's winter break, if necessary.
* Must meet training and background check qualifications and comply with the Minors on Campus policy.
* Able to work all shifts and extended hours.
* Upon hire, candidate must have reliable transportation to all HPU worksites and other locations as required by the position.
* Successful candidate will be able to work in an environment that utilize excellent time and stress management skills.
Desired Qualifications:
* Bachelor's Degree in Accounting, Finance, or other business-related field.
* Two (2) years of GL Accounting experience.
* Two (2) years of experience with computerized accounting programs.
* One (1) year of loan collection experience.
* Ellucian (Banner) Software experience.
* Higher education and/or non-profit organization experience.
* Detail oriented and ability to proactively follow up and resolve issues.
* Familiarity with Federal Student Aid (FSA) Handbook and regulations.
Key Responsibilities:
1. Federal Campus-based Student Loans, Scholarships and Financial Aid Refunds - 60%
* Contacts departing Perkins and Nursing students to arrange for completion of online exit interviews after the end of the semester.
* Enter in Loan Advances for Perkins, Nursing, and NFLP from Banner to third party servicer's system (Sal-net) on a weekly basis and verify that all Promissory notes for the borrowers are received.
* Receipt all payments received in the Business Office by borrowers in third party servicer's system (Sal-net) for Perkins, Nursing, and NFLP.
* Forward all collection agency payments to ECSI for processing. For credit card payments, post payment to ECSI and receipt the payment to the student's account in Banner.
* Generate a memo, as approved by the Financial Aid Accountant, to Accounts Payable requesting a check to be processed and made payable to HPU for this loan payment. Deposit the payment into the appropriate (Perkins, Nursing, or NFLP) bank account.
* Transmit accounts from in-school status to grace status upon student's departure.
* Send out notification letters to students (Loan funds credited to their account or requesting endorsement of loan/scholarship checks).
* Review student account balances and calculate Financial Aid refunds (scholarship and federal aids). Adhere to Federal regulations regarding specific time frame on excess federal funds balances in student's accounts.
* Prepare student refund direct deposit listing for Controller's review and approval. Generate eRefund flat files for CashNet upload process and suspend eRefund enrollment as needed.
* Complete Loan Verification Certificates (LVC).
* Correct and update Sal-net Database for all errors on the NSLDS reports.
* On a monthly basis, return all overpayments to the borrower or consolidation company. Request underpayment if necessary.
* Serve as the primary preparer of Return to Title IV (R2T4) process in the Business Office, as part of returning Title IV funds for compliance purposes. Make necessary corrections as requested by the Supervisor, Financial Grants Management/AP.
* Supports Financial Aid Accountant with audit schedules and any other compliance or Ad Hoc reports.
* Assist with month end closing and fiscal year end closing processes and reconciliations, as assigned.
* Assists in any research of discrepancies for transactions performed by AP, AR, and Payroll, as assigned.
* Participate in Ellucian (Banner) Finance module software testing, evaluation, and process improvements.
* Assist and provide Ellucian (Banner) assistance to other Business Office team members as needed.
2. Communications and Counseling Students - 25%
* Consult with students on deferments, cancellations, and postponements.
* Review all accounts on Perkins, Nursing, and NFLP defaulters and attempt to contact them by phone or email those accounts that are 30-days past due.
* Email delinquency letters to borrowers whose accounts are 30-150 days past due.
* Email first warning letter via regular mail to borrowers whose accounts are 180-days past due. Mail out via certified mail final warning letters to borrowers who are seven months delinquent on their accounts notifying them that their accounts will be sent to collections if no reply is received within 30 days from the date of the letter.
* Provide face-to-face interaction and customer service at the Business Office front counter, over the telephone, or via email and/or fax.
3. Collections and Cash Management - 5%
* Oversee ECSI assigning borrowers who are eight months delinquent to collections and providing the list of borrowers and their social security numbers, and number of accounts, along with proper collection agency codes. Verify all borrower information sent to collections.
* Review cohort default rate for student's accounts who are eight months past due. Check NSLDS to determine if deferment or forbearance was placed on other Financial Aid loans, and per federal regulation, is able to apply same deferment or forbearance type to Perkins or Nursing loan.
* Process manual alternative loan checks when received.
4. General Office Support and other related duties as assigned (10%)
* Actively participates as an effective member of team by completing assigned duties, accepting additional assignments or reassignments.
* Act as backup for AP/PCard Coordinators and assist with Accounts Payable assignments and projects.
* Act as backup for AR/Collections Coordinators and assist with Accounts Receivable assignments and projects.
* Assists with seasonal peaks.
This description is not designed to list all activities, duties or responsibilities which may be required for this job. Other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned at any time.
Hawai'i Pacific University is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse, equitable environment in which faculty and staff can excel irrespective of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, marital status, or any other protected class covered by state and federal law. Hawai'i Pacific University encourages applications from veterans and individuals with disabilities. A pre-employment background investigation is performed on candidates selected for employment.