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Syracuse University

Financial Aid Specialist

🇺🇸 Remote - US

🕑 Full-Time

💰 $19 - $22 per Hour

💻 Financial Aid

🗓️ September 1st, 2025

Edtech.com's Summary

Syracuse University is hiring a Financial Aid Specialist. The role involves analyzing and reviewing financial aid applications and documents to resolve eligibility issues and ensure fair distribution of aid. The specialist advises applicants and their families on resolving application or eligibility concerns and represents the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs at campus and community events.

Highlights

  • Analyze prospective and enrolled students’ financial aid applications to resolve eligibility issues.

  • Review federal and institutional tax verification and FAFSA/PROFILE applications, ensuring compliance with regulations.

  • Collaborate with team members and utilize professional judgment in complex situations.

  • Provide excellent customer service with tact and discretion regarding sensitive family situations.

  • Participate in campus and community events representing the Financial Aid Office.

  • Use PeopleSoft, OnBase, and Microsoft software products for daily tasks.

  • Requirements: Associate’s degree or equivalent education/experience; Bachelor’s preferred; minimum two years in financial aid experience.

  • Knowledge of federal Title IV regulations, tax forms, needs analysis, and federal verification processes.

  • Pay range: $18.75 - $21.60 per hour; full-time position with standard university business hours.

  • Assist IT with testing PeopleSoft updates and troubleshooting system issues.

Financial Aid Specialist Full Description

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Posting Details
Posting Details
Job # 042211
Department Code 23623-1009
Department Enrollment Management
Job Title Financial Aid Specialist
Location Remote
Pay Range $18.75 - $21.60 Per Hour
Pay Determination
Pay rates at Syracuse University are based on a combination of factors including, but not limited to, the job responsibilities; the candidate’s education, training, work experience and key competencies; the university’s strategic priorities; internal peer equity; applicable federal, state, local laws, grant funding and contractual requisites; and external market analyses.
Staff Level S4
FLSA Status Non-exempt
Hours
Standard University business hours.

8:30am – 5:00pm (academic year)
8:00am – 4:30pm (summer)

Hours may vary based on operational needs.
Job Type Full-time
Campus Remote
Unionized Position Code Not Applicable
Job Description
The Financial Aid Services (FAS) team is charged with analyzing prospective and enrolled students’ financial aid applications to resolve student eligibility issues and ensure an equitable distribution of aid. Specialists review applications and a large variety of documents necessary to perform needs analysis to determine federal and institutional eligibility.Specialists work in a high-volume and fast-paced environment to apply knowledge of swiftly changing federal regulations and institutional requirements to each application they review. They also provide excellent customer service by advising applicants and their families on the promptest resolution to application or eligibility issues.As a member of The Office of Financial Aid and Scholarship Programs, the individual will represent the office during on campus events and also participate in community events.
Education and Experience
  • Associate’s degree and/or an equivalent combination of education and experience, required. Bachelor’s degree preferred
  • Two (2) plus years of experience working in Financial Aid (FM & IM needs analysis, CSS Profile review, tax review, Federal Verification & Federal Match.)
Skills and Knowledge
  • In-depth knowledge of regulations in interpreting and administering of federal Title IV, state and university financial aid programs to ensure compliance. In depth knowledge of and experience with federal tax forms and requirements/tax law. Proven ability to research, interpret and apply complex rules and laws.
  • Strong communication skills. Ability to write and present concise findings with recommended course of action.
  • Ability to analyze families in diverse populations and situations objectively and communicate with professionalism and compassion.
  • Must possess a flexible attitude and be able to function well as a team member in a high-volume, fast paced environment while paying close attention to detail and prioritizing workload to meet numerous deadlines crucial to meeting the University enrollment goals.
  • Must take initiative and be able to prioritize workload with little guidance.
  • Maintain a strong commitment to the mission of the university and its students.
  • Experience with and knowledge of PeopleSoft or other student information systems, OnBase or other imaging systems, and Microsoft software products.
  • Overtime may be required during peak award season to provide the best possible customer service.
Responsibilities
  • Perform federal & institutional tax verification: adjust and verify parent and student income and assets to ensure compliance with federal and institutional regulations.
  • Identify tax discrepancies and determine appropriate course of action for the family.
  • Evaluate and verify PROFILE and FAFSA application information and research/analyze supporting documentation in order to resolve conflicting information as directed by the Department of Education. This may include but is not limited to tax and legal documents, business, real estate or other asset information.
  • Review institutional reports to resolve student eligibility issues and ensure an equitable distribution of aid within federal regulations.
  • Review all subsequent ISIR transactions.
  • Troubleshoot issues such as unofficial SAIs and ISIR rejects to ensure timely disbursement of aid.
  • Apply established needs analysis procedures to determine federal need and use professional judgment as appropriate to determine financial aid eligibility.
  • Collaborate with colleagues to evaluate complex circumstances that require a number of proficiencies to resolve.
  • Work with other FAS team members and the Assistant Director in determining acceptable documentation for resolving discrepancies.
  • Create and update communications used to clarify those requirements and intended for swift resolution.
  • Act as a resource for other financial aid staff with federal regulatory and needs analysis questions.
  • Communicate with families using tact, discretion, and diplomacy regarding complex and delicate family situations to clarify aid eligibility. This often consists of expertly asking questions about and discussing potentially volatile marital and custody situations, living situations, complex business situations and activity, federal tax filing requirements, and citizenship/residency statuses.
  • Represent the office during campus events and participate in community events.
  • Participate in a variety of professional development activities including attendance at professional conferences, webinars, training peers and colleagues on changes in financial aid regulations both on campus and off, etc.
  • Participation in professional development activities is critical to stay current with changes to federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies regarding the awarding of financial aid.
  • Assist IT with testing PeopleSoft updates and corrections.
  • Troubleshoot when there are issues, alerting IT and tracking / testing until it can be resolved.
Physical Requirements
Not Applicable
Tools/Equipment
Not Applicable
Application Instructions
In addition to completing an online application, please attach a resume and cover letter.
About Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private, international research university with distinctive academics, diversely unique offerings, and an undeniable spirit. Located in the geographic heart of New York State, with a global footprint, and over 150 years of history, Syracuse University offers a quintessential college experience.

The scope of Syracuse University is a testament to its strengths: a pioneering history dating back to 1870; a choice of more than 200 majors, 100 minors, and 200 advanced degree programs offered across the University’s 13 schools and colleges; over 15,000 undergraduates and over 6,000 graduate students; more than a quarter of a million alumni in 160 countries; and a student population from all 50 U.S. states and 123 countries. For more information, please visit http://www.syracuse.edu.
About the Syracuse area
Syracuse is a medium-sized city situated in the geographic center of New York State approximately 250 miles northwest of New York City. The metro-area population totals approximately 500,000. The area offers a low cost of living and provides many social, cultural, and recreational options, including parks, museums, festivals, professional regional theater, and premier shopping venues. Syracuse and Central New York present a wide range of seasonal recreation and attractions ranging from water skiing and snow skiing, hiking in the Adirondacks, touring the historic sites, visiting wineries along the Finger Lakes, and biking on trails along the Erie Canal.
EEO Statement
Syracuse University is an equal-opportunity institution. The University prohibits discrimination and harassment based on race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender, national origin, citizenship, ethnicity, marital status, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law to the extent prohibited by law. This nondiscrimination policy covers admissions, employment, and access to and treatment in University programs, services, and activities.
Commitment to Supporting and Hiring Veterans
Syracuse University has a long history of engaging veterans and the military-connected community through its educational programs, community outreach, and employment programs. After World War II, Syracuse University welcomed more than 10,000 returning veterans to our campus, and those veterans literally transformed Syracuse University into the national research institution it is today. The University’s contemporary commitment to veterans builds on this historical legacy, and extends to both class-leading initiatives focused on making an SU degree accessible and affordable to the post-9/11 generation of veterans, and also programs designed to position Syracuse University as the employer of choice for military veterans, members of the Guard and Reserve, and military family members.
Commitment to a Respectful and Welcoming Community
Syracuse University fosters a welcoming learning environment where students, faculty, administrators, staff, curriculum, social activities, governance, and all aspects of campus life reflect a broad range of perspectives and experiences. The University community values the many similarities and differences among individuals and groups. At Syracuse, we are committed to preparing students to engage with and appreciate the richness of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences that shape our society. To achieve this, we strive to cultivate a community that respects and encourages open dialogue, understanding, and mutual respect.

Quick Link https://www.sujobopps.com/postings/110777
Job Posting Date 08/29/2025
Application Deadline
Full Consideration By
Job Category Staff
Message to Applicants
Applicant Documents
Required Documents
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

  1. * How did you first find out about this position?
    • sujobopps.com (Syracuse University Online Employment website)
    • Syracuse University HR Recruiter
    • Virtual Career Fair (via NYS Department of Labor)
    • SUNY EOC (Equal Opportunity Center)
    • Women’s Opportunity Center
    • Jubilee Homes
    • Syracuse Northeast Community Center
    • Interfaith Works
    • JobPlus
    • Syracuse.com
    • Chronicle of Higher Education
    • HigherEdJobs.com
    • HERC (HERC Higher Ed Recruitment Consortium)
    • InsideHigherEd.com
    • Indeed.com
    • DiverseEducation.com (Diverse Issues in Higher Education website)
    • LinkedIn Job Posting
    • Facebook
    • Job Fair
    • Search Firm
    • Referred by an SU Employee
    • Other
  2. If "other", please describe how you first found out about this position.

    (Open Ended Question)

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