Senior Student Support Specialist

Hiring Department

Student Financial Aid

Job Description

JOB SUMMARY

Leads and coordinates one or more programs or functional areas within the student support system, with primary responsibility for financial aid and scholarship administration. Reviews, analyzes, evaluates, and processes student information to determine financial aid eligibility and awards; advises students, prospective students, and families regarding financial aid options and requirements; develops financial literacy programming; and prepares program reports. Serves as a liaison with internal departments and external parties to support accurate, timely, and effective student services.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Aid Program Administration - 20%

• Administer and coordinate one or more major federal and/or institutional financial aid programs in accordance with applicable requirements and established procedures.

• Review and analyze student information, determine financial need and eligibility, and award financial assistance.

• Maintain a strong working knowledge of financial aid processes, programs, and requirements to support accurate and timely administration.

• Coordinate financial aid records and data-processing activities, as assigned, to promote accurate information and effective program operations.

Student and Family Advising - 25%

• Advise students, prospective students, and parents or families regarding financial aid programs, eligibility, application requirements, awards, and available resources.

• Meet individually with students to discuss finances, financial aid options, and strategies for addressing educational costs.

• Provide responsive, student-centered service to individuals visiting or contacting the office and explain detailed information in a clear and accessible manner.

Scholarship Administration - 30%

• Manage the awarding and distribution of scholarships and related notifications.

• Serve as a liaison among students, campus departments, and other stakeholders to coordinate scholarship processes and resolve issues.

• Review scholarship information and records for completeness, accuracy, and alignment with established criteria.

Financial Literacy Programming - 15%

• Develop, implement, and maintain a financial literacy program that supports student understanding of personal finances and educational costs.

• Create or coordinate educational resources, presentations, and outreach activities related to financial literacy and financial aid.

• Evaluate program needs and identify opportunities to improve student engagement and effectiveness.

Reporting, Policy, and Process Improvement - 10%

• Prepare reports reflecting the status, activity, and outcomes of assigned financial aid and scholarship programs.

• Research and analyze complex or atypical data, identify key issues and patterns, and communicate findings to appropriate stakeholders.

• Recommend financial aid policies and operating procedures, as appropriate, and use discretion to modify work practices or processes to improve efficiency and results.

• Plan, organize, and coordinate work to support the quality, timeliness, and effectiveness of the team.

As with all positions, may perform other job-related responsibilities as needed to support departmental and campus-wide needs.

CORE COMPETENCIES

• Student Service

• Financial Aid Knowledge

• Analytical Problem-Solving

• Planning and Coordination

• Communication and Collaboration

• Judgment and Process Improvement

WORKING CONDITIONS & PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Work is primarily performed in an office environment with regular interaction with students, prospective students, families, campus departments, and external parties. The role requires regular use of a computer and review of detailed financial and student records. The position involves sustained attention to accuracy, management of competing priorities, and communication of detailed or sensitive information.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

There are no formal supervisory responsibilities for this position.

Minimum Qualifications

A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience and at least 2 years of experience from which comparable knowledge and skills can be acquired is necessary

Preferred Qualifications

Financial aid experience

Anticipated Hiring Range

$21.64

Grade: GGS-008
University Title: SENIOR STUDENT SUPPORT SPECIALIST
Internal applicants can determine their University title by accessing the Talent Profile tile in myHR.

Application Materials

• Application materials include a cover letter and resume. Finalists will be asked to provide references at a later date.
• Applicants must combine all application materials into one PDF or Microsoft Word document and upload as a resume attachment to the UMSL Careers:
• Limit document name to 50 characters. Maximum size limit is 11MB. Do not include special characters (e.g., /, &, %, etc.). For questions about the application process, please email employment@umsl.edu. If you are experiencing technical problems, please email umpshrsupport@umsystem.edu.
  

Sponsorship Information

Employment visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Benefit Eligibility

This position is eligible for University benefits. As part of your total compensation, the University offers a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental and vision plans, retirement, paid time off, short- and long-term disability, paid parental leave, paid caregiver leave, and educational fee discounts for all four UM System campuses. For additional information on University benefits, please visit the Faculty & Staff Benefits website at

Equal Employment Opportunity

The University of Missouri is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

To request ADA accommodations, please email the Office of Human Resources at umslhr@umsl.edu.