Financial Aid Officer in Brooklyn, New York at Manhattan School of Computer Technology

Manhattan School of Computer Technology (MSCT) Location: Brooklyn, NY Department: Financial Aid Employment Type: Full-Time Reports To: Financial Aid Manager Position Summary Manhattan School of Computer Technology (MSCT) is seeking a knowledgeable, detail-oriented, and student-focused Financial Aid Officer to support students throughout the financial aid process while ensuring strict compliance with Title IV federal student aid regulations, institutional policies, and applicable state and accrediting requirements. The Financial Aid Officer is responsible for assisting students with FAFSA completion, reviewing eligibility and documentation, completing verification, preparing financial aid estimates, supporting packaging and disbursement processes, maintaining accurate student records, and providing clear and compliant financial aid counseling. This position requires a high level of professionalism, confidentiality, accuracy, integrity, and regulatory compliance. Key Responsibilities Student Financial Aid Counseling Meet individually with prospective and enrolled students to explain available financial aid options. Assist students and families with completing the FAFSA and resolving application-related issues. Explain federal grants, Direct Loans, institutional payment responsibilities, and other applicable funding options. Provide students with accurate financial aid estimates based on available information. Clearly explain the difference between grants, loans, scholarships, and other funding sources. Counsel students regarding borrowing responsibilities, repayment obligations, and financial aid requirements. Ensure that information provided to students is accurate, consistent, and compliant. Never guarantee financial aid eligibility, award amounts, or disbursement before eligibility has been properly established. FAFSA & ISIR Processing Review FAFSA and ISIR information for accuracy and completeness. Identify conflicting or incomplete information requiring resolution. Review Student Aid Index and other applicable eligibility information. Request required documentation from students. Track outstanding financial aid requirements and follow up with students. Review subsequent ISIR transactions and determine whether additional action is required. Ensure required corrections are submitted and properly documented. Verification & Documentation Complete federal verification requirements for selected students. Review income, identity, household, tax, and other required documentation. Identify and resolve conflicting information before aid is finalized or disbursed when required. Maintain appropriate documentation supporting financial aid eligibility. Ensure all required documentation is complete and properly maintained in the student's financial aid record. Financial Aid Packaging Assist with determining student eligibility for applicable Title IV programs. Prepare and review financial aid packages according to institutional policies and federal requirements. Process applicable Federal Pell Grant and Direct Loan eligibility. Monitor annual and aggregate federal aid limits. Review enrollment status, academic progress, program information, and other eligibility factors affecting financial aid. Coordinate with appropriate departments when academic or enrollment information requires clarification. Ensure financial aid awards and student records are accurately reflected in institutional systems. Disbursement Readiness Review student files for completeness prior to disbursement. Confirm that required eligibility and documentation requirements have been satisfied. Monitor students approaching applicable academic or payment-period milestones. Work closely with Financial Aid management, the Bursar, Registrar, Education Department, and MSCT's financial aid processing partners to resolve discrepancies. Maintain accurate documentation supporting disbursement eligibility. Student Loan Responsibilities Assist eligible students with the federal Direct Loan process. Confirm completion of required loan documentation and counseling. Explain loan amounts and responsibilities accurately without encouraging unnecessary borrowing. Assist students with understanding loan repayment obligations. Maintain appropriate documentation regarding student loan counseling and processing. Systems & Record Management Maintain accurate financial aid information in Orbund and applicable financial aid processing systems. Review student records for accuracy and completeness. Upload and maintain required financial aid documentation. Update student statuses and required fields in a timely manner. Assist with financial aid reports and reconciliation activities. Protect student information in accordance with institutional confidentiality and data-security requirements. Compliance & Professional Conduct The Financial Aid Officer is expected to maintain the highest level of integrity when working with students and federal financial aid. The employee must: Follow applicable Title IV regulations and Federal Student Aid requirements. Follow MSCT Financial Aid policies and procedures. Maintain appropriate separation between Admissions representations and final financial aid eligibility determinations. Never provide misleading or inaccurate information regarding financial aid. Never promise or guarantee a specific amount of federal financial aid. Never alter, fabricate, omit, or misrepresent information to establish financial aid eligibility. Immediately escalate suspected conflicting information, fraud, identity concerns, or compliance issues to Financial Aid management. Protect FAFSA, tax, income, identity, and other confidential student information. Participate in required compliance training and departmental observations. Cooperate with internal reviews, audits, file reviews, and regulatory examinations. Interdepartmental Collaboration The Financial Aid Officer will work closely with Admissions, Registrar, Education, Student Services, Bursar, and institutional leadership to ensure students move efficiently through the enrollment and financial aid process. The Financial Aid Officer must maintain appropriate professional boundaries between departments while ensuring students receive consistent and accurate information. Required Qualifications Associate's or Bachelor's degree preferred. Previous financial aid experience in a college, career school, vocational institution, or higher-education environment strongly preferred. Knowledge of FAFSA and federal student aid processes. Strong attention to detail and documentation. Excellent communication and student-service skills. Ability to explain complex financial information clearly. Strong organizational and follow-up skills. Ability to manage multiple student files and deadlines simultaneously. Strong computer skills, including Microsoft Office/Excel. Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive student information. Demonstrated professionalism, integrity, and sound judgment. Preferred Qualifications Experience administering Title IV financial aid. Experience with Pell Grants and Federal Direct Loans. Experience with verification and ISIR review. Experience with financial aid packaging and disbursement preparation. Experience using Orbund or another Student Information System. Experience working with a third-party financial aid servicer or processor. Experience preparing for compliance reviews or audits. Bilingual or multilingual abilities are a plus. Performance Expectations Success in this position will be measured by accuracy and completeness of student files, timely processing, compliance with federal and institutional requirements, quality of student counseling, responsiveness to students, timely resolution of missing documentation, accurate system records, and successful internal/compliance file reviews. The Financial Aid Officer is expected to maintain a professional and student-centered approach while recognizing that compliance and accuracy must never be compromised in order to complete an enrollment or accelerate a financial aid process. Manhattan School of Computer Technology (MSCT) Training that moves you forward.