Higher Education Financial Aid Consultants/Interim Financial Aid Director

About the role

Financial Aid Strategy and Operations Consulting

CampusWorks provides specialized consulting services to higher education institutions seeking to enhance their financial aid operations. We seek experienced Financial Aid Consultants to partner with our clients, guiding them through the adoption of best practices and the strategic use of technology. The primary objective is to strengthen financial aid processes and elevate the overall student experience. These engagements address critical needs in financial aid administration and may be conducted remotely or on-site.

Consultants in this role may serve in various capacities, including acting as an interim Financial Aid Director, leading a Business Process Review initiative, or driving the optimization of an institution's financial aid system. The work involves close collaboration with client teams to analyze existing workflows and implement improvements. Success is defined by the ability to streamline operations, ensure regulatory compliance, train new users, and maximize the return on investment in financial aid technology. This is a flexible opportunity suitable for individuals seeking full-time employment or contract-based 1099 work. Candidates should indicate their preferred arrangement during the application process.

The role requires a hybrid work model, which may include travel to meet with clients at their locations. Consultants act as strategic partners, working alongside functional and technical teams within the institution. They collaborate with CampusWorks colleagues to assess current practices, design future-state processes, and oversee the complete lifecycle of solution development. This responsibility includes architecting, developing, testing, providing training, and managing the rollout of new procedural and technical solutions. The goal is to deliver results that exceed client expectations.

Key Responsibilities

Financial Aid Consultants are responsible for a wide range of activities designed to improve institutional performance. A core duty involves defining and standardizing documentation intake procedures. This effort ensures that student cases are handled with precision and consistency by all team members. Another critical function is the architectural design of financial structures. Consultants must align these structures with established institutional policies and the specific capabilities of the technology platform in use.

The review and validation of system outputs form a significant portion of the work. Consultants must verify adherence to established rules and correct any discrepancies before they impact official records. Implementing process changes is another key area of focus. These changes are intended to improve clarity, accelerate timelines, and satisfy strict regulatory requirements. Establishing clear protocols is essential for synchronizing the efforts of internal campus departments and external vendors. All parties must work toward shared institutional goals.

Consultants also coordinate comprehensive training sessions for staff members. These sessions are designed to build user confidence in the financial aid tools, thereby reducing the likelihood of errors. A continuous effort is required to optimize system configurations. This work uncovers hidden features within the financial aid platform, enabling better decision-making and data analysis. Finally, maintaining robust compliance checkpoints is a non-negotiable responsibility. These checkpoints protect data integrity and ensure that the institution satisfies all audit requirements each academic term.

Professional Qualifications

Candidates for this position must bring a specific level of expertise and experience to the role. A minimum of three years of professional experience in a financial aid environment is mandatory. This background should involve the management of complex cases and a demonstrated understanding of the unique challenges in the field. Deep familiarity with financial aid Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms is essential. Consultants must also possess a thorough understanding of the federal and state regulatory frameworks that govern financial aid programs.

Educational requirements include a Bachelor's degree. Alternatively, candidates may present equivalent practical expertise that demonstrates a high level of knowledge in the field. The ability to operate as an independent contractor is a requirement for this position. Candidates must be eligible to work in the United States without the need for sponsorship at the time of hire.

Technical Proficiency and Tools

Success in this role depends on proficiency with a specific set of technologies and platforms. Consultants must have hands-on experience with the CampusWorks platform. Additionally, knowledge of other major financial aid systems is necessary. This includes, but is not limited to, Banner, PeopleSoft, Ellucian, and Informer. Mastery of these tools allows consultants to effectively evaluate, configure, and optimize the client's financial aid ecosystem.

Practical Information

The details provided here serve as a guide for the consultation process. Candidates are strongly encouraged to verify specific requirements and application procedures on the official job listing page. This ensures alignment with the most current version of the opportunity.