Student Financial Aid Support Specialist

Who We Are

Our mission is simple but critical: tobuild pathways for adult learners to earn high-quality, workforce-aligned degrees and credentials from North Carolina’s public universities. 

At Project Kitty Hawk, our work reflects our company values:  

Collaboration – We prioritize our partners’ success and reputation, aligning every initiative with their goals, reflecting their values, and enhancing their impact. 

Innovation – We innovate, not replicate. As creative problem solvers, we use data-driven insights to push boundaries, continuously improve our services, develop solutions, and redefine what it means to serve nontraditional learners. 

Empathy – We understand the unique challenges of nontraditional learners, and are committed to supporting them with empathy, respect, and solutions that fit their needs. 

Integrity – We operate with transparency and accountability in everything we do. We uphold honesty, take ownership of our work, and maintain the highest standards. 

Teamwork – We embody the collaboration we seek. We always strive to be dependable, supportive, and solutions-oriented teammates. 

Together, we partner with universities in the University of North Carolina (UNC) System to produce innovative, flexible degree and credential programs in high-demand fields. Each PKH team member plays a vital role in advancing this mission and shaping the future of education for adult learners. 

These values will enable us to realize PKH’s vision: to make North Carolina’s public universities the top choice for adult learners and to amplify the UNC System’s role as a national leader in higher education innovation, access, and student success. By joining our team, you have an opportunity to contribute to our achievement of that vision, in the process helping to create opportunities for thousands of learners to earn their success and move up the economic ladder. 

At Project Kitty Hawk we hire talented people who are not only dedicated to our mission but share our belief that working together makes us stronger and more effective. In this organization you’ll find individuals with a range of interesting backgrounds and life stories; the true magic happens when those individuals come together to solve problems in service of a common goal. We encourage you to bring your unique perspective, talents, and ideas to the table as we strive to make a meaningful impact.  

The Role

The Student Financial Aid Specialist is a key player in ensuring that students have a seamless and supportive financial aid experience. This role involves tracking and monitoring student progress related to their financial aid status, providing timely updates to relevant stakeholders, and supporting the unique financial processes tailored for adult learners in Flight Path programs at partner institutions. This position also contributes to improving student support and communication around financial aid and student accounts. 

• Track and Monitor Student Status: Maintain and report the status of all incoming students, ensuring regular communication with Admissions, Student Accounts teams, and Coaches. 
• Financial Aid Assistance: Provide support to students in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other required forms. 
• Financial Aid Offer Explanation: Clearly explain federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies, procedures, and timelines to students. 
• Loan Guidance: Assist students in understanding their financial aid awards, loan options, and responsibilities, including repayment terms and conditions. 
• Billing and Account Awareness: Collaborate with the Student Accounts team to ensure timely communication with students about outstanding bills and due dates. 
• Status Updates: Review reports from partner institutions and provide updates to Admissions regarding financial aid application statuses, missing documents, or required next steps. 
• Liaison Role: Function as the primary point of contact between financial aid offices, Admissions, and Coaches, ensuring students are directed to the appropriate resources when necessary. 
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all communications and activities adhere to federal (Title IV), state, and institutional regulations. 
• Policy Updates: Stay updated on changes to financial aid regulations and institutional policies, ensuring timely implementation of procedural changes. 
• At-Risk Student Identification: Work with the student success team to identify at-risk students and develop interventions that promote retention and academic success. 
• Satisfactory Academic Progress: Assist in managing the satisfactory academic progress program to ensure compliance with academic and financial aid standards. 
• Partner with Student Accounts teams to streamline communication regarding billing and financial aid. 
• Coordinate regular check-ins to ensure alignment between financial aid and student accounts processes. 
• Facilitate joint workshops or informational sessions for students to address financial aid and billing questions. 
• Share insights on common student challenges to help refine communication strategies and support services. 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Finance, Education, or a related field is required. 
• 1-3 years of experience in the student financial aid, billing, or higher education finance field is preferred. 
• Equivalent combination of education and experience in financial aid counseling, student accounts, or a related area may be considered. 
• Comprehensive Knowledge of Financial Aid Regulations: Strong understanding of federal (Title IV), state, and institutional financial aid policies, including FAFSA processes, loan options, and repayment requirements. 
• Familiarity with Adult Learner Needs: Knowledge of unique challenges faced by adult learners, including financial, academic, and scheduling considerations in higher education. 
• Strong Interpersonal and Communication Skills: Ability to clearly explain complex financial aid policies and processes to diverse audiences, including students, staff, and partner institutions. 
• Data Tracking and Reporting Expertise: Proficiency in tracking student progress, analyzing data, and generating reports to ensure timely and accurate communication with stakeholders. 
• Collaborative Problem-Solving: Skilled in working across teams (e.g., Admissions, Student Accounts, Coaches) to address student financial aid challenges and align institutional processes. 
• Student Advocacy and Retention: Demonstrated ability to identify at-risk students, develop effective interventions, and contribute to retention strategies. 
• Adaptability to Regulatory Changes: Capacity to stay informed about evolving financial aid policies and implement necessary procedural updates efficiently. 

What We Offer

Project Kitty Hawk offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes full medical/dental/vision coverage, a 401K with match, and a generous time-off policy with paid volunteer time. In addition, we are committed to providing competitive salaries with the potential for performance bonus and remote working flexibility.

Project Kitty Hawk is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate based on actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, alienage or national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, marital status, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, arrest record, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws.    

Project Kitty Hawk is dedicated to this policy concerning recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, and general treatment during employment. For individuals with disabilities who would like to request an accommodation, please contact Kelly Snow at klsnow@projectkittyhawk.com.