Loan/FWS Specialist

Careers at SUSLA SUMMARY Southern University at Shreveport, Louisiana (SUSLA) is accepting applications for the Loan/FWS Specialist position within the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarship. SUSLA is a comprehensive community college serving Shreveport, Bossier City, and surrounding areas in Northwest Louisiana. It is one of five campuses constituting the Historically Black Southern University System. The University serves approximately 3,000 undergraduate students and offers 32 undergraduate degrees and certificate programs in a variety of fields including Allied Health, Nursing, Aerospace Technology, Business Studies, Behavioral Science/Education and Science & Technology. PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES The Financial Aid Office is seeking a detail-oriented Financial Aid Loan/FWS Specialist to provide comprehensive financial aid support and guidance to new and continuing students. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, this position serves as the primary coordinator and point of contact for the Federal Work-Study and Federal Direct Loan programs, ensuring full compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. * Key responsibilities include awarding and administering work-study and loan funds, delivering financial aid counseling to students and families, managing communications with students and parents, and supporting Banner system processes to ensure accurate and timely aid delivery. Specific Duties are: * Serve as the primary federal work study and federal direct loan point of contact for current and prospective students, determining eligibility for work-study, awarding work-study, and monitoring earnings for all student work-study employees on campus. * Administer assigned programs in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures * Knowledge of Federal Title IV, state program awards and regulations, and FERPA * Counsel and advise students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, program costs, and indebtedness * Complete error reports to ensure that federal work study and federal direct loans are issued in a timely manner and in accordance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations * Notify students of changes in the eligibility of aid offers and alternatives to amend the situation, if any * Use enhanced internal and external communication systems to inform students and parents about aid offers and departmental, institutional, and system-wide policies and procedures * Provide financial literacy presentations and informational sessions on campus and within the community * Conduct audit file reviews each semester * Monitor Common Origination Disbursement for incoming Direct Parent PLUS loan requests and award applicable loans as needed, following up with parents if credit decisions are approved * Provide ongoing training, guidance, and supervision to financial aid student employees for accurate dissemination of financial aid information to other students and parents. * Collaborate with other departments for campus outreach and registration events to ensure that recruitment, enrollment, and retention goals are met * Perform other duties as assigned. REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE * Bachelor's degree * Excellent customer service and interpersonal skills * Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work independently as well as with students, parents, and colleagues * Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner * Excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously * Proficient user of Microsoft Office Suite and experience in financial aid database systems * Must be dependable and able to maintain confidentiality in data collection. * Must possess a high level of accuracy, self-motivation, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle a heavy workload in a fast-paced environment * Familiarity with academic environment, policies, and procedures PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS * Prior knowledge or experience in postsecondary educational assistance processes such as advising, financial aid, registration, and admissions * Specific knowledge or experience in financial aid and Banner Financial Aid module TYPE: Full-time COMPENSATION: $43,888 annually APPLICATION DEADLINE: Review of applications begins April 15, 2026 and continues until position is filled. * The application can be filled out online at SUSLA's Application for Employment * Please attach cover letter, resume, transcript(s), and three references to application. * Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties. Application Portal Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the duties. Criminal background check and reference verification is required. Southern University at Shreveport, an institution within the Southern University and A & M System, seeks to provide quality education for its students, while being committed to the total community. This institution prepares students for careers in technical and occupational fields; awards certificates, diplomas and associate degrees; and offers courses and programs that are transferable to other colleges and universities. Dedicated to excellence in instruction and community service, this open enrollment institution promotes cultural diversity, provides developmental and continuing education, and seeks partnerships with business and industry. Title IX is a federal law that prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in any federally funded education program or activity. Title IX prohibits use of federal money to support sex discrimination in education programs and provides individuals protection against such practices. In compliance with federal law and USDOE federal guidance, including provisions of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (Title VII), Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (Title IX), Section 503 and 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 1990, the ADA Amendments Act of 2008, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967 (ADEA), Executive Order 11246, Executive Order 13988, the Vietnam Era Veterans Readjustment Assistance Act of 1974 as mended by the Jobs for Veterans Act, the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act, as amended, and the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008, an institution of the Southern University System shall not discriminate against individuals on the basis of their race, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, religion, color, nation or ethnic origin, age, disability, military service, covered veteran's status, or genetic information in its administration of education policies, programs, or activities; admission policies; scholarship and loan programs; athletic or other institution-administered programs; or employment. As part of their commitment to maintaining a community free of discrimination, and in compliance with Title IX's mandate, institutions of the Southern University System shall address allegations of power-based violence and sexual misconduct, including sexual harassment and sexual assault, in a timely and effective manner. Further, institutions of the Southern University System will provide resources as needed for affected persons (Reporters, Complainants, Respondents, and third parties within the institution's community) and will not tolerate retaliation against any person who reports or participates in the investigation of alleged power-based violence or sex/gender discrimination. In accordance with the requirement of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and its Amending Act of 2008 (collectively "ADA"), the Southern University System (System) will not discriminate against qualified individuals with disabilities on the basis of disability in its services, programs, or activities. The System does not discriminate on the basis of disability in its hiring or employment practices and complies with all regulations promulgated by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission under Title I of the ADA. The System will generally, upon request, provide appropriate aids and services leading to effective communication for qualified persons with disabilities so they can participate equally in the System's programs, services, and activities, including qualified sign language interpreters, assistive listening devices, documents in Braille, and other ways of making communications accessible to people who have speech, hearing, or vision impairments. The System will make reasonable modifications to policies, procedures, and programs to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal opportunity to enjoy all of its programs, services, and activities. Anyone who requires an auxiliary aid or service for effective communication, or a modification of policies or procedures to participate in a program, service, or activity of the System, should contact the ADA Coordinator. The ADA does not require the System to take any action that would fundamentally alter the natures of its programs or services or impose an undue financial or administrative burden. Complaints that a program, service, or activity of the System is not accessible to persons with disabilities should be directed to the ADA Coordinator.