Financial Aid Business Analyst

Department: Division of Enrollment Management

Classification: Info Technology Spec 1

Job Category: Classified Staff

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Fairfax, VA

Workplace Type: Hybrid Eligible

Pay Band: 04

Salary: Salary 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:

The Financial Aid Business Analyst works under the supervision of the Associate Director of IT and Scholarships and assists with the development and management of departmental, institutional, state, and federal reporting. The analyst plays a pivotal role in the analysis, design, and implementation of technical and functional financial aid initiatives that lead to insightful, accurate business decision-making and drive student success. The role requires the analyst to be highly motivated and possess excellent critical thinking, analytical and communication skills. A positive work ethic and demonstrating determination and initiative to deliver quality work is a must.

Responsibilities:

• Collaborates closely with stakeholders to gather, assess, and evaluate user requirements to align with Office of Student Financial Aid (OSFA) objectives;
• Responsible for conducting data collection and analysis for evaluating future financial aid forecasting models (Insight reports);
• Responsible for developing new internal reports and modifications of current reports;
• Manages and completes financial aid Dynamic Forms data requests;
• Develops detailed functional and technical specifications and other supporting documentation identifying areas for financial aid process improvements to enhance efficiency;
• Works in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Effectiveness and Planning (OIEP) and the Associate Director of IT and Scholarships on external Financial Aid reporting;
• Attends quarterly meetings to prepare for state reporting;
• Leads in coordinating and distributing SCHEV data file errors and warnings to staff for resolution of financial aid data file discrepancies;
• Manages Applications Manager (AppWorx) process flows for the Office of Student Financial Aid; Works with ITS to develop procedures for Financial Aid AppWorx automation jobs;
• Supports supervisor and Financial Aid Leads on enhancements for improved Financial Aid processes and procedures;
• Assists Financial Aid IT team with troubleshooting financial aid system issues and provides support with other tasks as needed;
• Assists in the preparation, execution, and documentation of quality assurance testing during Banner updates and patches;
• Performs other related duties and assists with projects as assigned;
• Dedicates time to self-study Ellucian products, focusing on Banner Financial Aid's current features and upcoming enhancements;  and
• Stays up-to-date on Title IV and state aid rules and policies. 

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and related experience;
• Extensive demonstrated experience with Windows-based software (Microsoft Excel, Word, PowerPoint);
• Experience in higher education research;
• Knowledge of higher education research;
• Demonstrated analytical skills with ability to extensively analyze business processes and workflows;
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Ability to work effectively and respectfully as part of a team and individually; and
• Technical proficiency with a variety of core business applications and database systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in a Financial Aid Office at a postsecondary institution;
• Experience working with financial aid data retrieval, reporting tools and various software applications;
• Experience developing business requirements;
• Experience using Automic Applications Manager;
• Experience with an ERP system, SAS Analytics, SQL, MicroStrategy Reporting Tool, and Ellucian Workflow;
• Working knowledge of the Banner (Ellucian) student financial aid system and Ellucian Workflow;
• Knowledge of Structured Query Language (SQL) or other programming language;
• Demonstrated data analysis and forecasting of data capabilities; and
• Basic knowledge of financial aid processes and procedures.

Instructions to Applicants: 

For full consideration, applicants must apply for Financial Aid Business Analyst at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a Cover Letter with Resume for review. 

Posting Open Date: February 12, 2025

For Full Consideration, Apply by:  March 10, 2025

Open Until Filled:  Yes