Financial Aid Coordinator (34991) [MULTIPLE POSITIONS]

Position Information

Posting Detail Information

Working Position Title Financial Aid Coordinator (34991) [MULTIPLE POSITIONS] Classification Financial Aid Coordinator Position Number 00034991 Open Date 10/29/2026 Close Date 11/12/2026 Priority Review Date Employee Class Staff Full-Time/Part Time Full-Time FTE 1.00 Position Status Regular FLSA Non-Exempt Job code 0053 Union Representation Union Union Code AFC - AFSCME C, Local #1890 Unit/Department Financial Aid&Scholarship Offc College/Unit Enrollment Management Division Enrllmnt Mgmt, Mktg & Comms Dv Location SP 245 Link to Department Website or Custom Search Page https://www.niu.edu/financial-aid/index.shtml

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Position Summary, Requirements, and Qualifications

Overview

Northern Illinois University is a world-class, research-focused public institution that attracts students from across Illinois, the country and the world. NIU's vision is to be an engine for innovation to advance social mobility; promote personal, professional and intellectual growth; and transform the world through research, artistry, teaching and outreach. Our mission is to empower students through educational excellence and experiential learning as we pursue knowledge, share our research and artistry, and engage communities for the benefit of the region, state, nation and world.

The mission of the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office is to provide exceptional student-centric services, in collaboration with other NIU offices, to ensure the optimal outcomes for students. Through personalized advising and a culture of care, we promote equity, transparency, and student success. Adhering to the highest levels of ethics and compliance, we serve students and their families by taking a holistic approach in assisting them with the complexities of financial aid, fostering financial literacy, and empowering them to make informed decisions about financing their education.

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Coordinator reports to the Senior Associate Director of Compliance and Processing. This position is responsible for a broad array of financial aid processing responsibilities and must have or develop a high degree of knowledge and expertise in federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations as they apply to packaging and disbursement of financial aid and refunds. This position also provides a vital front-line link for the Financial Aid & Scholarship Office and must have the interpersonal skills and mature judgement to be a positive force in the delivery of financial aid education.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Student Financial Aid Eligibility

• Review documents submitted for federal verification requirements and make updates to federal application data as appropriate. Ensure that all students are verified in a timely manner.
• Adjust student budgets for Title IV and private financial aid. Modify student awards for unapplied aid and overawards. Reduce financial aid awards as appropriate to resolve conflicts and ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations.
• Evaluate subsequent ISIRs and determine impact of financial aid. Resolve issues in compliance with state, federal and institutional regulations.
• Assist with the timely and accurate review and completion of Return of Title IV calculations to ensure federal, state, and university compliance.
• Assist with monitoring and compliance with the requirements of Unusual Enrollment History.
• Assist with special program packaging and/or manual packaging during peak periods.
• Assist with scholarship processing. Evaluate financial assistance received from outside agencies or internally to ensure students meet requirements and have not exceeded their cost of attendance.
• Serve as primary or backup for assigned reports and packaging tasks.
• Participate in disbursement weekend activities and ongoing monitoring to ensure accurate awarding and disbursement of internal and external financial aid funds.
• Participate in committee work and review, resolve and respond to appeals under the federally designated areas of professional judgment, dependency overrides, inability of parent to borrow a PLUS loan, adjustments to cost of attendance, changes in need analysis data and satisfactory academic progress.
• Review students' academic performance to determine if it meets the federal and state satisfactory academic performance (SAP) requirements. Monitor future performance against plan.
• Review unusual or mitigating circumstances and difficult personal situations and escalate as appropriate.

Student Service and Financial Aid Education

• Perform vital front-line, student-centric service to support university recruitment and retention initiatives, and other university goals. Respond to phone and email inquiries.
• Educate and advise prospective and current students and family members in-person, via phone and email, and in virtual spaces regarding general university process such as applying for, interpreting, and accepting financial aid offers; making payments; searching for work-study positions; and applying for scholarships.
• Educate and advise regarding cost projections and options for paying for college.
• Participate in university events such as orientation, admitted student days, preview days, transfer days, FAFSA completion workshops, and others as needed.

Other Duties as Assigned

• Utilize strong interpersonal communication skills to work in a hectic and sometimes stressful environment in a professional and positive manner.
• Participate in ongoing financial aid regulatory training sessions, such as the Federal Student Aid Conference, NASFAA Skills Webinars, ISAC Program Update sessions, and other professional development opportunities.
• Assume related duties as assigned by administrative staff.

Minimum Required Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Any one or combination totaling three (3) years (36 months) from the categories below:

• College coursework in any discipline, as measured by the following conversion table or its proportional equivalent:

• 30 semester hours equals one (1) year (12 months)

• Associate's Degree (60 semester hours) equals eighteen months (18 months)

• 90 semester hours equals two (2) years (24 months)

• Bachelor's Degree (120 semester hours) equals three (3) years (36 months)

• Work experience coordinating office, business, or customer service/relations activities.

• One (1) year (12 months) of higher education, student services, or closely related experience.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs) (Civil Service)

• Knowledge of all federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid regulations as they apply to packaging and disbursement of financial aid, disbursement of refunds, and Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP).
• Knowledge of the student application process.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office - Outlook, Excel, and Word and other computer programs.
• Skill in mathematics, calculations, and general accounting.
• Skill in customer service, and oral and written communication.
• Skill in time management, organizing work assignments, and responding quickly and effectively to challenges.
• Ability to supervise.
• Ability to interpret and apply internal and government policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Ability to work in an environment that can be fast-paced and stressful.

Specialty Factors (Civil Service)

None

Preferred Qualifications (Civil Service)

• Fluency in English and Spanish (verbal and written)
• Prior experience in a financial aid office or related experience

Minimum Required Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Additional Requirements (SPS)

N/A

Preferred Qualifications (SPS)

N/A

Physical demands/requirements

None

Appointment and Compensation Details

Appointment and Compensation Details

Anticipated Appointment Start Date 12/1/2026 Anticipated Appointment End Date Percent of Staff Year 1.00 Standard Hours Per Week 37.50 Working Hours 8 am - 4:30 pm Monday-Friday, one-hour lunch Salary $42,997.50 annually; NIU offers a robust benefits package. Hourly or Semi-monthly Pay Rate/Range $22.05 an hour Earn Type Hourly

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure

Application Procedure:

• Fully complete the Education and Work History sections of the application. Be specific on your entire work history, including employment dates and duties for all positions held. Applicable part-time work experience will be considered toward qualifying for this position; however, it will be converted to a full-time equivalency to determine combined length of experience. Important: Please upload any unofficial transcript(s) and/or documentation that verifies any education, experience, and/or training you have received.

• If eligible for Veteran's Preference Points, DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256 paperwork reflecting an Honorable Discharge MUST be uploaded to this application to receive the maximum eligible points on the Civil Service examination.

• After the posting has closed, your submission will be reviewed to determine if you meet the minimum qualifications for the classification, including any specialty factors associated with this position. If you meet the minimum required qualifications for this position, you will receive a score based on your education and experience, and your name will be placed on the active employment register.

• Please monitor your e-mail for further information regarding your application. Emails will be generated from jobs@niu.edu and CivilServiceTesting@niu.edu. Please add these emails to your address book to ensure timely delivery of any future communication.

• Illinois residency required within 180 days of the hire date.

Credentials Assessment Examination:

• The examination for this position is a Credentials Assessment and is based on your application materials as submitted for this posting. A Credential Assessment is a rating by the Human Resources Office of an applicant's/employee's education, experience, and special credentials/qualifications (licenses, etc.). Applicants are required to upload documentation to verify the minimum qualifications for this position has been met.
• Required documentation noted in the posting, such as a driver's license, licensures, or certifications MUST be uploaded with your application materials.
• After assessment of all qualified applicants has been completed for this position, the names with the top three (3) scores will be referred to the hiring department for interview.

Additional Details:

• Click on Financial Aid Coordinator for more information including salary ranges, typical duties, minimum acceptable qualifications, and testing requirements.
• Please click on Human Resource Services - Benefits for detailed information about Northern Illinois University's benefits package.
• Employment is contingent upon your passing a criminal background investigation. You may not begin work until the criminal background investigation results have been received and cleared by Human Resources.

Special Instructions Quick Link to Applicant https://employment.niu.edu/postings/98253 Is Background Check Required? Yes EEO Statement Summary

In accordance with applicable statutes and regulations, NIU is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, religion, age, disability (physical and mental), marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender (identity and expression), political affiliation, or any other factor unrelated to professional qualifications, and will comply with all applicable federal and state statutes, regulations and orders pertaining to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and affirmative action.

The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Director of Civil Rights Office, Title IX Coordinator

Health Services 2nd floor

CivilRights@niu.edu

815-753-0455

Visa Policy

In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.

ADA Accommodation

NIU remains committed to ensuring that its recruitment and application procedures include full opportunities for applicants with disabilities. Employment opportunities will not be denied to anyone because of the need to make accommodations for a person's disability during either the application or interview process. An applicant who believes they require an accommodation to participate in the employment process due to a disability may request that accommodation through the Accommodation Request Form. For further assistance, please contact the office of Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity (AAEO) at ada@niu.edu.

Safety Information

NIU provides annual reports on campus security and fire safety.

Read the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report.

Contact the Ethics and Compliance Office at 815-753-9364 for a hard copy.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae
• Cover Letter
• List of at least 3 Professional References

Optional Documents

• Military Discharge Documents ONLY (DD214/DD215/NGB22/DD256)
• Transcripts (unofficial with official required at hire)
• Other

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

• • Are you currently a citizen or resident of the State of Illinois?

• Yes

• No

• • What is the highest level of education attained?

• GED

• High School Diploma

• Associates Degree

• Bachelors Degree

• Masters Degree

• PHD

• • Have you attached transcripts to support the degree(s) you are submitting for consideration with this posting?

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

• • How many years of experience do you have in this type of position?

• 0-1

• 1-3

• 3-5

• 5-7

• 7+

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

• • If applicable, have you attached a copy of your DD214, DD215, NGB22, or DD256 for consideration of Veterans Preference Points? The copy submitted should reflect the status of discharge in order to be considered.

• Yes

• No

• Not Applicable

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience monitoring student's eligibility to receive financial aid; reviewing changes in regulations affecting various campus-based programs, guaranteed loans, state grants, and institutional programs; assisting in the direction, management, and administration of scholarship and grant programs.

• Work experience not directly related to tasks described.

• Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.

• Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience verifying student eligibility criteria and reviewing and awarding applicants for financial aid in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies; working with students and agencies to resolve discrepancies.

• Work experience not directly related to tasks described.

• Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.

• Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response.)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience managing correspondence and providing general financial information concerning account receivables, tuition assistance, and other financial programs; assisting students with suggestions for locating institutional grants and scholarships.

• Work experience not directly related to tasks described.

• Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.

• Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience coordinating, scheduling, and providing in-service training and staff meetings as delegated.

• Work experience not directly related to tasks described.

• Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.

• Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)

(Open Ended Question)

• • Select the answer that best describes your work experience preparing or overseeing the preparation of statistical, operating, and planning records and/or reports; maintaining spreadsheets for various institutional programs for tracking and balancing purposes; overseeing all aspects of a file management system.

• Work experience not directly related to tasks described.

• Work experience demonstrates a minimum or entry level competency relevant to the tasks described, requiring periodic supervision and some assistance.

• Work experience demonstrates a high level of competency relevant to the tasks described, performing specified job functions with little or no supervision or assistance.

• • Please provide the name of the employer and the dates of employment where you gained this experience. Please note that this information must be verified on an NIU application and/or résumé. ("See Résumé" is not an acceptable response)

(Open Ended Question)