CDS GRADUATE FINANCIAL AID SPECIALIST, Office of the Provost

General Description

The CDS Graduate Financial Aid Specialist supports all graduate-level financial aid and related operational processes primarily in support of BU’s online at scale programs, and with residential graduate programs as needed.

This role is responsible for the planning, management, and communication of financial aid, including federal aid (FAFSA, Direct Loans, Graduate PLUS Loans), scholarships, external funding for master’s students. Reporting to the CDS Assistant Director of Graduate Financial Aid and Operations, this position works closely with prospective and enrolled online students, online graduate program leadership, and BU-wide partners on financial aid strategy and processing. The role requires strong attention to detail, cross-functional collaboration, organizational skills, customer service orientation, and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced academic environment.

Essential Functions

Loan Processing – 30%

Responsible for overseeing all financial aid and scholarship processing for online master’s students, ensuring compliance with federal and institutional financial aid regulations, and updating policies and procedures to reflect best practices. This role manages communications through BU SIS systems, email, and website updates, processes student refunds, and participates in university-wide financial aid meetings and training.

Financial Aid Counseling – 30%

Responsible for providing financial aid counseling to prospective and current students on cost of attendance, federal loan eligibility including Direct and Grad PLUS loans, alternative and private loan options, external scholarships, and payment plan options. This role advises students on the financial implications of withdrawal or leave of absence, conducts one-on-one counseling with students and families, and serves as a liaison to key BU offices including the Office of Financial Assistance, Student Accounting, GPAC, and the SIS renewal team.

Cross College Coordination – 20%

Responsible for collaborating with colleagues across program home colleges to ensure student needs and program-specific requirements are effectively supported, while aligning financial aid processes and communications across multiple colleges to promote consistency and clarity for students. This role serves as a liaison between CDS and partner colleges to coordinate policies, timelines, and student support strategies, identifies and resolves cross-college operational challenges related to financial aid, admissions, and the student experience, and ensures compliance with varying college and university policies while maintaining a seamless student experience.

Enrollment & Compliance Oversight – 20%

Responsible for tracking part-time eligibility, adjusting awards based on enrollment changes, and assisting with the term-by-term monitoring of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), including issuing warnings, managing ineligibility notifications, and reviewing appeals. This role also advises students on multi-year borrowing strategies and the financial aid implications of part-time enrollment status.

Required Skills

Position Requirements:

Required Education Level – Bachelors Degree

Work Experience Level – 3-5 years, preferably with prior Financial Aid experience

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, natural or protective hairstyle, religion, sex, age, national origin, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, military service, pregnancy or pregnancy-related condition, or because of marital, parental, or veteran status. We are a VEVRAA Federal Contractor.