Job Details

Job Location: New Gloucester - New Gloucester, ME

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: 4 Year Degree

Position Title:

Student Financial Services Specialist

Reports To:

Executive Director of Student Financial and Enrollment Services

FLSA Status:

Exempt

Functional Area:

Advancement

Position Identifier:

DE

Unit:

Student Financial Services

Location Identifier:

On-Premises

Geographic Location:

NG New Gloucester

About Unity College:

For more than fifty years, Unity College has been preparing the next generation of environmental professionals and leaders to successfully face real-world challenges. With environmentally focused degrees, Unity College offers affordable and accessible bachelors degrees, masters degrees, certificates, and non-degree courses through a variety of modalities including hybrid, in-person, hyflex, and online.

Our Mission:

Through the framework of sustainability science, Unity College provides a liberal arts education that emphasizes the environment and natural resources. Through experiential and collaborative learning, our graduates emerge as responsible citizens, environmental stewards, and visionary leaders.

Position Overview:

The Student Financial Services Specialist (SFSS) supports the Director of Distance Education Financial Aid through the administration and dissemination of Student Financial Services policies and procedures for Unity College students. This is a generalist position that is cross trained to serve all Sustainable Education Business Units (SEBUs) but will be dedicated to Distance Education. This position is responsible for working directly with Unity College students to support them in managing their financial needs and requirements. The SFSS will manage and use student financial aid programs, financial aid information systems, billing software as well as report and retrieve information for program management and reports. Work will involve using Power-Faids Financial Aid Management System, CAMS Student Billing Components and CashNet.

Full job description provided at time of interview.

Key Responsibilities:

Monitor program compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies using system and quality controls.

Conduct student aid reviews including: needs analysis, budgeting, billing, packaging, verification, loan processing, certification, and tracking.

Counsel students individually or in groups on financial aid and student account matters such as application procedures, borrowing, employment, outside aid, other funding, payment plans and alternative funding.

Communicate with parents and/or students regarding the student billing process and payment options.

Coordinate the mailing of lender notifications-entrance and exit counseling, bills, and award letters.

Create, revise, and update publications, standardized letters, manuals, and forms used in student aid and student billing administration.

Review and maintain payment plans, and student files.

Perform soft collect outreach to students to assist with completing paperwork and payment options.

Perform outreach activities as assigned by the Director of Distance Education Financial Aid.

Assist in supervision of work study students. Carries out supervisory responsibilities in accordance with the institutions policies and applicable laws.

Review and process refunds to be submitted to the Business Office for payment.

Assist students with identifying options for payment plans and setting the students up in CashNet, etc.

Perform reconciliation, reporting, consolidation and liquidation of Perkins loans.

Manage third party billing i.e. Veterans Affairs, Outside Scholarships, etc.

Other duties as assigned.

Required:

Bachelors degree and a minimum of 5-7 years job related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Basic knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and a demonstrated commitment to student aid.

Basic knowledge of accounting and billing services.

Must be capable of independent judgement, highly motivated with strong organizational skills.

Must be flexible with good interpersonal skills.

Able to read, analyze and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations.

Able to write reports, business correspondence, and procedures manuals.

Able to effectively present information and respond to questions from students, parents, staff, managers, and the general public.

Able to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Able to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Extensive knowledge of computerized data base systems, word processing and spreadsheets.

Ability to function effectively within a matrix organizational structure, maintaining open lines of communication while being discreet, courteous, and well poised.

Work Schedule / Availability Requirements

Work hours are specific to the requirements of this position and can include days, evenings, and weekends. Working extended hours required as needed. Must be flexible and cooperative in fulfilling responsibilities and meeting the Colleges needs. Although Unity College employees are generally scheduled to work at their specifically assigned locations, there are times when travel is necessary and employees are required from time to time to attend events, meetings or work temporary assignment at any Unity College location.

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, it is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand or walk. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 lbs. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. The use of either hand for repetitive movements such as grasping, grasping and turning, and fine manipulation is required as is the ability to use the telephone for internal and external communications.

Location: Pineland Farms, New Gloucester, Maine

Just a half hour from Portland, Unity College Headquarters, Unity College Distance Education, The Technical School for Environmental Professions (opening in 2022), and the School of Environmental Business & Sustainable Ventures are based at the Pineland Farms campus. The facilities are within easy access to one of the fastest-growing cities for startups in the country.

Benefits:

Unity College offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package for its faculty and staff. Benefits for eligible employees include:

• Paid holidays
• Paid time off
• Medical
• Dental
• Short- and Long-term disability
• Life Insurance
• Flexible work benefit eligible
• Vision
• 403B

At Unity College, we dont just accept difference we celebrate it, we support it,
and we thrive on it for the benefit of our employees, our students, and our community.
Unity College is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and is an affirmative action employer.