Federal Work-Study Program Assistant

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Classification: GMU Worker

Job Category: Part-Time / Hourly Wage

Job Type: Part-Time

Work Schedule: 20-25 hours per week

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Starting at $23-$26 per hour; commensurate with education and experience

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:   

In collaboration with the George Mason University community, and as a part of the Office of the Provost, The Division for Enrollment Management optimizes student recruitment and retention by developing and implementing strategic enrollment plans, overseeing the admissions process, providing financial aid services, and managing the Mason Student Services Center—a centralized student services resource. The Division’s activities support the achievement of institutional enrollment goals by placing the student (and family) at the center of our work, supporting a culture of transparency, and leveraging data to inform decision-making.

The mission of the Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) is to offer services and programs to students through awards funded from federal, state, and private organizations. The primary mission of the office is to provide eligible students with funds to finance and complete their education within the boundaries of federal, state, and university regulations. The focus of the office is to help students develop an understanding of the need to be proactive consumers of educational opportunities at George Mason University.

About the Position:

George Mason University’s Office of Student Financial Aid is seeking a detail-oriented and tech-savvy Federal Work-Study Program Assistant & Workflow Developer to support the administration and automation of the Federal Work-Study (FWS) program. This part-time role merges program operations with workflow development to enhance efficiency, compliance, and student experience. The ideal candidate will be passionate about student success, comfortable with digital tools, and eager to improve business processes.

What Mason Offers:

• A student-centered, mission-driven work environment;
• Opportunities to contribute to digital transformation in student services;
• Flexible hybrid/remote work arrangements; and
• Access to professional development and university resources.

Responsibilities:

Federal Work-Study Program Support:

• Manage daily operations of the FWS program using Outlook, Salesforce, and institutional systems;
• Ensure compliance with federal regulations and university policies;
• Assist students in navigating Handshake to find and apply for FWS positions;
• Coordinate SEAR form processing via Dynamic Forms and maintain accurate employment records;
• Review and process EPAFs for student employment, including approvals, terminations, and payroll tracking;
• Monitor student earnings and reconcile FWS funds monthly;
• Collaborate with campus departments and community partners to place students in eligible positions;
• Provide orientation and training for students and supervisors on FWS policies and procedures; and
• Coordinate with University Career Services to promote FWS job opportunities and ensure alignment with student career development goals.

Workflow Development and Automation:

• Analyze current FWS-related processes and identify opportunities for automation;
• Design and implement digital workflows;
• Integrate systems like Ellucian Banner and Salesforce to ensure seamless data flow across departments;
• Create dashboards and user-friendly interfaces for stakeholders;
• Troubleshoot workflow issues and provide documentation and training for new systems; and
• Design and implement integrated digital workflows that connect Career Services platforms (e.g., Handshake) with financial aid systems for seamless student employment operations.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent combination of education and experience;
• Experience with workflow automation tools; and
• Strong organizational, analytical, and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in higher education or public sector environment;
• Familiarity with George Mason University systems (Banner, Salesforce, Dynamic Forms, SharePoint, and MicroStrategy);
• Customer service experience and ability to train diverse audiences;  
• Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations, especially FWS; and
• Understanding of FERPA and student employment policies.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Federal Work-Study Program Assistant  at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and resume for review.

George Mason students cannot be considered for this position.

Posting Open Date:  February 27, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  March 13, 2026

Open Until Filled:  Yes