The Financial Aid Systems Administrator manages the automation and development of the financial aid module of the Banner student information system (SIS) and is considered the functional lead for student financial aid on the Banner system team. This position will build and maintain all Banner queries, current student communications within the system, and automated processes. This position will be responsible for data inbound and outbound processes and will be responsible for packaging students with institutional, state, and federal aid programs. This position will be responsible for testing and implementing new functionality in the system and is the point of contact for system programmers.

The Financial Aid Systems Administrator provides financial aid systems support functions and analysis of data to support operations, needs assessment, and awarding; assists in the design and maintenance of business processes to meet end user requirements and federal, state and department regulatory mandates, rules, regulation, policies, and procedures. Serves as the first level help desk support for financial aid systems; provides training and support and serves as lead worker to the other classified staff in the area.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provides technical and systems support to Student Financial Aid staff; develops, documents, and maintains practices and processes for operations and system processing.
• Develops new technical processes, systems, and data query analysis to benefit financial aid students and staff.
• Collaborates with University IT staff and FA Systems Specialists at other PASSHE institutions to validate, verify and test all software and database upgrades to the student Financial Aid systems, and performs related troubleshooting and testing of the new functions.
• Plans and supports the development, implementation and testing of system enhancements and new systems. Works with University IT and other FA Systems Specialists to customize, maintain and implement the annual set up and rule writing procedure for Student Financial Aid applications, which includes but not limited to disbursement rules, System Application Products (SAP) calculations rules and packaging, etc.
• Develops and conducts routine tests to ensure the Student Financial Aid software systems are in working condition and complies with the various reporting agency requirements.
• Identifies operational needs to improve processes; recommends changes for increased efficiency and effectiveness in office operations, and to ensure state and federal data reporting requirements are met.
• Documents existing system processes, including workflow processes and procedures.
• Collaborate with Student Financial Aid staff to gather requirements for system improvements to work toward automation possibilities and data consistency.
• Develops quality assurance protocols and analysis to ensure that delivered solutions meet the needs of the Student Financial Aid Office as detailed in the system requirements.
• Develops schedules and implements training for Student Financial Aid staff on technology applications.
• Interacts with technology vendors and works with various departments on campus to ensure effective delivery of vendor services to the Student Financial Aid Office (i.e. Ellucian, CampusLogic, etc.).
• Tests new releases of software, reports, data integration processes and other related technical system upgrades.
• Represents the Office of Financial Aid at professional organizations or associations; serves on university-side committees as required.
• Provides support to other technical users in diagnosing and resolving problems associated with Student Financial Aid software; trains Student Financial Aid staff in the use of software applications.
• Troubleshoots, updates, modifies, and analyzes data and information systems to ensure compliance with regulatory needs and change and operational effici ncies.
• Communicates with personnel and various outside agencies as needed to exchange information and revolve issues and concerns.
• Responsible for executing, testing, and recommending system reports and assist University IT in developing new reports in Argos or other related reporting tools.
• Other duties as assigned.