• Financial Aid Specialist

    Southern Virginia University’s Office of Financial Aid is seeking to hire a motivated Financial Aid Specialist to help guide students through the financial aid process and access scholarships, student loans, or grants to fund their education. Primary duties for this position include building and managing relationships with students and parents while demonstrating white-glove customer service and maintaining compliance to federal regulations governing the acquisition and distribution of Title IV federal financial aid.

    Employment Status: Full-time, $36,000-40,000 entry annual salary (based on experience)
    Education: Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree is a plus
    Experience: 2-3 years of work experience in financial services, customer service, sales, or related field


    Qualifications:

    • Aptitude for relationship building
    • Ability to meet strict goals and deadlines
    • Exceptionally organized and detail-oriented
    • High levels of empathy and social intelligence
    • Strong verbal and written communication skills
    • Superb judgment and decision-making ability
    • Record of work ethic and motivated self-direction
    • Work effectively with a variety of personalities and perspectives

    Preferred Abilities:

    • Background in college financial aid, customer service, or sales
    • Experience with Jenzabar or other student information system (SIS) software

    Responsibilities:

    • Develop a thorough understanding of all regulations governing federal financial aid
    • Guide students through the process of applying for and obtaining federal financial aid, if eligible
    • Track and facilitate student progress through the financial aid process
    • Create equitable financial aid packages based on federal guidelines and student eligibility
    • Inform students of institutional financial awards and additional financial aid resources
    • Disburse financial aid accurately and efficiently to qualifying students
    • Create payment plans to help students resolve accounts after financial aid is exhausted
    • Build and nurture relationships with students and parents
    • Communicate frequently with students via multiple channels (email, phone, text)
    • Collect payments from students and parents
    • Meet departmental goals and metrics per financial aid cycle
    • Maintain accurate contact and financial aid records using departmental software
    • Participate regularly in training opportunities and financial aid conferences
    • Represent the University and its Mission to Gather, Lift, Launch.
    • Perform other duties as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid and Chief Financial Officer

    About Southern Virginia University

    Established in 1996, Southern Virginia University is a private, self-reliant, four-year residential university aligned with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and its principles and values. Our mission is to gather faithful Latter-day Saints and like-minded students, lift them in intellect, character, and spirituality, and launch them into successful lives and careers.

    Nestled in the foothills of Virginia’s Blue Ridge Mountains at the southern end of the idyllic Shenandoah Valley, our quaint campus is home to more than 1,000 students who live by a Code of Conduct based on the Teachings of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ. We welcome all applicants who will sincerely strive to live by and support our standards. Learn more at svu.edu.


    Applications

    Interested candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, and contact information for three professional references to Human Resources at hr@svu.edu .Applications will be accepted and reviewed until the position is filled.

    Southern Virginia University is an equal opportunity employer. This document provides information regarding the essential functions of the designated job, and the general nature and level of work associated therewith. It should not be interpreted as describing all duties related to this position, nor used to limit the nature and extent of assignments given to an employee.