Financial Aid Coordinator - Special Populations

University of South Carolina

Columbia, SC

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Analysis Skills, Communication Skills, Data Quality, Detail Oriented, Disbursements, Educational Administration, Employee Retention, Federal Laws and Regulations, Financial Aid, Financial Policies, Financial Regulations, Funding, Health Insurance, Life Insurance, Loan Processing, Military, Needs Assessment, Organizational Skills, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Problem Solving Skills, Regulations, Research Grants, Scholarship, State Laws and Regulations, Student Financial Services, Time Management, Training Program, Tuition Fees, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Columbia, SC
POSTED
18 days ago

Posting Details

Posting Summary

Logo Posting Number STA00456PO26 Job Family Student Administrative Services Job Function Financial Aid USC Market Title Financial Aid Coordinator Link to USC Market Title https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133942 Job Level P2 - Professional Business Title (Internal Title) Financial Aid Coordinator - Special Populations Campus Columbia Work County Richland College/Division Enrollment Management Department EM Financial Aid and Scholarships State Pay Range G07 USC Market Range MRD - $44,296 $54,263 $64,229 Anticipated Hiring Range $44,296 Location of Vacancy Part/Full Time Full Time Hours per Week 37.5 Work Schedule

  • Monday - Friday from 8:30 am - 5:00 pm with one hour for lunch.
  • Must be willing to work a flexible schedule to meet the needs of the department.

Basis 12 months Job Search Category Student Services

About USC

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Veterans' Preference Statement

The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.

Benefits for FTE Positions

The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.

Position Description

Advertised Job Summary

The Financial Aid Coordinator - Special Populations supports the accurate, compliant, and student-centered delivery of financial aid for designated special population programs. Reporting to the Associate Director for Special Populations, Opportunity, and Access, the position analyzes applications, verifies eligibility, and processes awards (including HRSA and other program-specific aid) for students in selected programs; maintains specialized student coding to ensure correct loan periods, cost of attendance, and packaging; and counsels students and families on requirements, resources, and next steps. The coordinator functions with limited supervision and exercises significant independent judgment in applying federal, state, and institutional regulations to individual cases, while partnering with campus units to support recruitment, retention, and timely degree progress for these populations.

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

  • Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials Preferred Qualifications

  • Direct experience performing application analysis, awarding/adjustments, and student counseling/advising in a Title IV environment; experience maintaining program-specific student coding (e.g., loan periods, COA adjustments) and coordinating with academic departments.
  • Experience working in high-volume, deadline-driven settings that require accuracy, confidentiality, and customer contact.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Working knowledge of Title IV regulations and institutional financial‑aid policies/procedures; understanding of needs analysis, verification, professional judgment, packaging, and disbursement processes, with emphasis on special‑program populations and HRSA awarding/cleanup,
  • Analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex and changing regulations and apply them accurately to individual student records.
  • Strong student advising/counseling skills, with demonstrated ability to explain complex requirements to students and families with clarity and empathy.
  • High level of data accuracy and attention to detail in a high-volume, time-compressed work cycle; proven written and verbal communication skills.

Job Duties

Job Duty

Assists the Associate Director, Student Populations, Opportunity, and Access in maintaining student coding for special programs for accurate processing regarding loan periods, COA, and loan processing. Enrollment verification for proper student grade level aid processing using information supplied by the department of study, such as the cohort roster of student information.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25 Job Duty

Delivers student financial aid services to all students enrolled in academic programs defined as selected under this position at the University to include but not limited to: - maintenance of a thorough knowledge of all aid processes and how they may impact the various populations selected under this position - counseling/advising these students regarding all appropriate financial aid related information and processes - reviewing the applications and information of these students for accuracy and eligibility issues - analyzing these students' application information to assess particular situations and needs - initiating necessary follow-up to resolve inconsistency or potentially inaccurate information.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 25 Job Duty

Participates in the special program student application analysis, awarding, and award adjustment; counsels/advises regarding aid application requirements, available resources, and the aid award through delivery processes. Counsels' students, awards HRSA aid, and provides cleanup of HRSA aid.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 20 Job Duty

Participates in the general student application analysis, awarding, and award adjustment; counsels/advises regarding general aid application requirements, available resources, and the aid award through delivery processes.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty

Participates in the development and delivery of financial aid instructional programs that contribute to the recruitment and retention of students in the special programs.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10 Job Duty

Assists in Special Programs outreach and other Special Program administrative efforts when needed.

Essential Function Yes Percentage of Time 10

Position Attributes

Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.

Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive No Hazardous weather category Non-Essential

Posting Detail Information

Number of Vacancies 1 Desired Start Date Job Open Date 06/17/2026 Job Close Date 08/01/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicant

Positions are advertised for a minimum of five (5) business days on our job website. After five (5) business days, positions can be closed at the discretion of the department at any time. This employment site is updated on a regular basis. The length of the recruitment and screening process may vary from position to position, depending upon a variety of factors. Should review of your qualifications result in a decision to pursue your candidacy, you will be contacted by phone or email.

We are only accepting applications submitted by August 1, 2026.

The University of South Carolina offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:

  • Health and Life Insurance
  • Retirement Programs
  • Paid Tuition
  • Dependent Scholarships
  • Annual Leave
  • Sick Leave
  • 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Professional Development Opportunities

Click here to learn more about why you should work at USC.

Quicklink for Posting https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/208127 EEO Statement

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in educational or employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender (including transgender), gender identity or expression, genetic information, HIV/AIDs status, military status, national origin, pregnancy (false pregnancy, termination of pregnancy, childbirth, recovery therefrom or related medical conditions, breastfeeding), race, religion (including religious dress and grooming practices), sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other bases under federal, state, local law, or regulations.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

    • Do you have at least a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 2 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience?
  • Yes
  • No

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume
  • List of References and Contact Information

Optional Documents

About the Company

U

University of South Carolina