Financial Aid Operations Specialist
Position Overview
The Financial Aid Operations Specialist coordinates a variety of interrelated
operational, administrative, and customer service processes to support the
timely and accurate delivery of financial aid. Reporting to the Director of
Financial Aid, this position assists in maintaining compliance with federal,
state, and institutional requirements while supporting the day-to-day
administrative and operational functions of the Office of Financial Aid.
The Financial Aid Operations Specialist serves as a primary point of contact
for students and families and plays an important role in the overall
management and coordination of office operations. The position works closely
with Financial Aid staff, Student Accounts, and other campus partners to
ensure effective service delivery, accurate processing, and a positive student
experience.
Position Responsibilities:
Serve as a primary front-line resource for the Office of Financial Aid,
responding to phone calls, emails, walk-in inquiries, and other requests
from students and families.
Provide information and guidance to students and families regarding
financial aid programs, requirements, processes, deadlines, and available
financing options.
Perform quality assurance reviews of loans, awards, and other financial
aid transactions to ensure accuracy and compliance with federal, state,
and institutional regulations and procedures.
Collaborate with Financial Aid Counselors to ensure student files are
complete and external documentation requirements are satisfied, including
entrance counseling, Master Promissory Notes (MPNs), verification
requirements, and other required documentation.
Process and maintain financial aid documents and records, ensuring
information is accurately recorded, appropriately maintained, and routed
for timely review and action.
Manage alternative/private education loan processing, including
certification and related administrative requirements.
Perform loan certification and related loan-processing functions.
Coordinate the processing and posting of outside scholarships in
collaboration with Student Accounts, ensuring awards are accurately and
timely reflected on student accounts and financial aid records.
Gather, organize, and maintain information and documentation required for
internal and external audits, compliance reviews, and other reporting
needs.
Assist with administrative responsibilities associated with former Perkins
Loan borrowers and related records or inquiries.
Manage and train Financial Aid student employees, including assigning
work, providing guidance, and monitoring the quality and completion of
assigned responsibilities.
Serve as an office manager for the Office of Financial Aid, coordinating
day-to-day administrative operations and helping ensure efficient office
workflows, appropriate coverage, organization, and service delivery.
Coordinate departmental administrative activities, including processing
invoices, ordering and maintaining office supplies, and other office
management responsibilities.
Provide administrative support to the Director of Financial Aid, including
coordination of departmental activities, projects, documentation,
meetings, and other administrative needs.
Serve as a project lead and/or departmental liaison for new College
initiatives related to financial aid customer service, student experience,
and operational improvements.
Collaborate with Student Financial Services, Registrar, Admissions and
other College departments to support coordinated student service and
effective resolution of financial aid-related issues.
Identify opportunities to improve administrative processes, customer
service practices, and office workflows and assist with the implementation
of operational improvements.
Perform other responsibilities as assigned.
Position Qualifications:
Strong commitment to providing exceptional customer service, with
demonstrated prior experience working directly with customers, students,
families, or other constituents.
Two or more years of financial aid experience in an administrative,
operational, or counseling capacity within a higher education setting.
Strong organizational, administrative, and problem-resolution skills, with
the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines in a fast-paced
environment.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate office operations, workflows, projects,
and administrative processes.
Good working knowledge of federal Title IV, Massachusetts state, and
institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
Preferred experience with federal financial aid systems, including NSLDS,
FAA Access, and COD.
Preferred experience with PowerFAIDS.
Strong attention to detail and demonstrated ability to maintain accurate
records and perform quality assurance reviews.
Ability to work collaboratively across departments and effectively
coordinate activities involving multiple stakeholders.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain confidentiality, and
appropriately handle sensitive student and financial information.
Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of education and relevant work
experience.
Application Materials Should Include:
Resume
Cover letter stating motivation and interest in the position, citing
experience relevant to the qualifications and including experience with,
and commitment to, our Catholic Augustinian mission and our values.
Work Location
This is an on-campus position as employees are essential in order to provide a
fully on-campus, residential college experience for our students and the
community.
This position is subject to the successful completion of a criminal background
check.
Statement on Our Mission
Merrimack College is a Catholic Augustinian institution of higher education
committed to building an accepting and respectful community. Our mission is to
enlighten minds, engage hearts and empower lives and is inspired by our
Catholic faith and the Augustinian tradition of seeking truth through inquiry
and dialogue.
Merrimack College seeks candidates who understand, respect, and can contribute
to Merrimack's Catholic and Augustinian mission. All candidates should
describe in their application how they will foster a culture that supports our
mission.
About Merrimack College
The only Catholic, Augustinian institution of higher education in New England,
Merrimack College is a private, independent, coeducational institution with
more than 4,100 undergraduate, 2,500 graduate students and 50 doctoral
students from 48 states and 63 countries. The College features more than 160
career-focused undergraduate, professional and graduate programs, all taught
by exceptional faculty who are passionate about their subject and student
success. The College has six schools: arts and sciences, engineering and
computational sciences, nursing and health sciences, education and social
policy, the Girard school of business and the graduate school of counseling
and social work. The College's suburban 220-acre campus is just north of
Boston in North Andover, Massachusetts. Merrimack is a Master's Colleges and
Universities/Larger Programs (M1) institution in the Carnegie Classification
of Institutions of Higher Education. Merrimack is one of the fastest growing
educational institutions in the country and has steadily climbed up in the
U.S. News & World Report's ranking of Best Colleges, ranking 38th in the
Regional Universities North category in 2026. Merrimack is a NCAA Division I
athletic institution.
Merrimack College is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
