Financial Aid Specialist

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

+ CURRENT PENN STATE EMPLOYEE (faculty, staff, technical service, or student), please login to Workday to complete the internal application process (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/EfiwgKReZ4VAjprFZPKWUm0Bq\_sU3KzTmERfpryq0esPKQ) . Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

+ CURRENT PENN STATE STUDENT (not employed previously at the university) and seeking employment with Penn State, please login to Workday to complete the student application process. (https://pennstateoffice365.sharepoint.com/:b:/s/KnowledgeBaseArticlesSharing/Eeys15Xva4hFokHVtbP1eGIB5i1WFLc-J3k9KHgrFYZ7mg) Please do not apply here, apply internally through Workday.

+ If you are NOT a current employee or student, please click "Apply" and complete the application process for external applicants (https://hr.psu.edu/sites/hr/files/Application\_Process\_for\_External\_Applications\_Non-Penn\_State\_Employees\_.pdf) .

JOB DESCRIPTION AND POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Penn State Brandywine's Enrollment Management Office is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist for its busy Office of Student Aid to begin January 2025. Reporting directly to the Director of Enrollment Management, this position primarily advises, instructs, and counsels current and prospective students and their families on financial aid application procedures and policies. This position is responsible for financial aid optimization. The successful candidate will be able to articulate a philosophy of student success with a focus on increasing accessibility and affordability, equity, and financial literacy for all students. This position requires a significant working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional sources of financial aid, including military and veteran programs, and regulations, policies, and procedures. The ideal candidate will have a track record of working effectively with students from all cultural and economic backgrounds and be able to collaborate and build relationships with various internal and external stakeholders.

This position offers a flexible work arrangement that combines remote and on-campus work. Questions related to flexible work should be directed to the hiring manager during the interview process.

Typical duties include but are not limited to:

+ Administration and coordination of student aid programs (grants, loans, scholarships, federal, etc.)

+ Review applications and award scholarships, grants, and other monetary assistance available exclusively to Penn State Brandywine students

+ Oversee the Federal Work-Study program positions for recipients at Penn State Brandywine

+ Support student recruitment, retention, and completion activities through campus outreach events

+ Provide financial aid and scholarship data and analytics to implement, evaluate, and improve student success and equity in educational outcomes

+ Serve as a campus Veterans Administration certifying official and promote aid programs available from the Veterans' Administration and related organizations

+ Design and implement innovative approaches to student financial solutions and literacy

+ Monitor students' satisfactory academic progress regarding student aid

+ Assist students in finding potential financial solutions due to extenuating circumstances, changes in financial circumstance, and dependency reviews

Education and Experience Requirements:

Typically requires a bachelor's degree and 3+ years of relevant experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Competencies critical to success:

+ Proficient and comprehensive knowledge of all federal, state and University student aid regulations, policies, and procedures

+ Dedication to excellent customer service and the motivation to help students succeed

+ Ability to communicate in an effective and professional manner with detailed and sensitive information

+ Strong work ethic and attention to detail

+ Critical thinking and creative problem-solving skills

+ Ability to work with little supervision

+ Demonstrated commitment to access, diversity, and inclusion

+ Excellent writing, presentation, and organizational skills

+ Proficiency in student information systems and Microsoft Office is preferred

+ Willingness to work some evenings and weekends as needed

This position requires successful completion of the following background checks:

+ PA State Police Criminal Background Check

+ PA Child Abuse History Clearance Form

+ Federal (FBI) Fingerprint Criminal Background Check

Application Instructions:

For full consideration, applicants must submit a cover letter and resume with their application.

Campus Information:

Penn State Brandywine - a thriving residential campus - is located on 112 acres, 20 miles west of center city Philadelphia. Penn State Brandywine's strengths are excellent teaching and research, a diverse study body, athletics, business and civic partnerships, and the Center for Ethics and Civic Engagement. Penn State Brandywine alumni are part of Penn State's world-wide 700,000+ alumni network.

Penn State Brandywine is located in Media, PA, a popular suburb of Philadelphia, named one of the best places to live in Pennsylvania. Media is just 20 minutes from the Philadelphia Main Line and 45 minutes to center city. As a staff member at Penn State Brandywine, you will enjoy access to the arts, entertainment, sports, State Parks, Arboretums, restaurants, night life, and community events of the greater Philadelphia region while working with a diverse and close-knit community of professionals.

Penn State Benefits:

Penn State offers a competitive and generous benefits package for full-time staff which includes:

+ Health insurance, dental and vision coverage

+ Retirement plans

+ 75% tuition discount for employees, eligible spouses, and dependent children to attend Penn State

+ Paid time off including holidays, vacation, sick days, and paid parental leave

For more information about employee benefits visit http://hr.psu.edu/benefits.

The salary range for this position, including all possible grades is:

$46,400.00 - $67,300.00

Salary Structure (https://hr.psu.edu/current-employee/compensation/staff-salary-grades-and-leveling-matrix) - additional information on Penn State's job and salary structure.

CAMPUS SECURITY CRIME STATISTICS:

Pursuant to the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act and the Pennsylvania Act of 1988, Penn State publishes a combined Annual Security and Annual Fire Safety Report (ASR). The ASR includes crime statistics and institutional policies concerning campus security, such as those concerning alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes, sexual assault, and other matters. The ASR is available for review here (https://police.psu.edu/annual-security-reports) .

Employment with the University will require successful completion of background check(s) in accordance with University policies.

EEO IS THE LAW

Penn State is an equal opportunity, affirmative action employer, and is committed to providing employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. If you are unable to use our online application process due to an impairment or disability, please contact 814-865-1473.

Federal Contractors Labor Law Poster (https://affirmativeaction.psu.edu/files/2022/01/Federal-Contractors-Labor-Law-Poster.pdf)

PA State Labor Law Poster

Affirmative Action (https://policy.psu.edu/policies/hr11)

Penn State Policies

Copyright Information (https://www.psu.edu/copyright-information)

Hotlines

Media, PA