Special Instructions to Applicants: All interested applicants should attach a resume in the Supporting Documents section of the application, preferably in a PDF format to avoid any formatting issues.

About Rice

Boasting a 300-acre, tree-lined campus in Houston, Texas, Rice University is ranked among the nation’s top 20 universities by U.S. News & World Report. Rice has a 6-to-1 undergraduate student-to-faculty ratio and a residential college system, which supports students intellectually, emotionally, and culturally through social events, intramural sports, student plays, lecture series, courses, and student government. Developing close-knit, diverse college communities is a strong campus tradition, which is why Rice is highly ranked for best quality of life and best value among private universities.

Rice is also a wonderful place to work. Rice faculty, staff, and students share values that are essential to our success as a healthy community. Those values guide our decisions and behaviors and shape Rice’s culture. They come through in the way we treat each other and the welcome we extend to our visitors. These values can be recalled simply by our name — RICE — Responsibility, Integrity, Community, and Excellence.

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist impacts the graduate student experience at Rice by ensuring the efficient, accurate, and strategic administration of graduate financial aid (excluding loans) for more than 1,700 students. The position oversees the full lifecycle of internal and external funding by tracking, distributing, and monitoring financial aid awards that directly support graduate education and research. In addition, this role contributes to seasonal initiatives within the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, including recruitment efforts, orientation programming, and commencement activities.

The ideal candidate will have strong analytical and problem-solving skills as well as a high level of attention to detail and organization. Success in this role requires clear, confident communication and the ability to collaborate and work seamlessly with GPS colleagues, central administrative partners, graduate programs, and academic schools to support students and uphold Rice’s commitment to excellence.

Workplace Requirements

This position is exclusively on-site, requiring all duties to be performed in person. Per Rice policy 440, work arrangements may be subject to change.

This is a full-time, benefits-eligible position, and the proposed salary range is $56,000 to $61,000 annually, depending on qualifications and experience. Exempt (salaried) positions under FLSA are not eligible for overtime.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree

  • In lieu of the education requirement, additional related experience, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year for year basis may be substituted

• 5+ years’ experience in an administrative role

  • In lieu of the experience requirement, additional related education, above and beyond what is required, on an equivalent year-for-year basis may be substituted

Skills:

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to exercise tact and discretion when working with students and staff

• Expertise in counseling and working with students individually; ability to provide excellent customer service in difficult situations

• Demonstrated ability to set priorities, manage time and workflow, and manage multiple, concurrent high-priority projects in a time-pressured environment

• Demonstrated understanding and ability to explain University policy to others; detailed knowledge of financial aid regulations and university processes

• Thorough understanding of applicable laws, regulations, and policies, including how they are applied within the assigned functional area and other areas within the office

• Knowledge of multiple financial aid systems, AdobeSign, Windows-based environment, and Office applications, specifically MS Access and Excel

• Ability to collaborate with departments across campus to gather and process information

• Strong organizational skills with the ability to maintain and manage financial records

Preferences

• Experience working with financial transactions
• Experience working with international students
• Experience in higher education

Essential Functions

• Analyzes and communicates complex financial and other pertinent information to students and administrators

• Reviews a variety of reports to research transaction history, identify changes, or reconcile data in financial systems

• Maintains a cohesive relationship with the Office of Financial Aid, working closely to assist students

• Processes aid for effective allocation of grant and institutional resources

• Manages the Medical Insurance Subsidy process for doctoral students and collaborates with the Bursar and Student Insurance Offices to ensure proper application to student accounts

• Advises students on processes and policies related to external funding, including grants and fellowships

• Works directly with students to facilitate solutions and resolve complex issues regarding their financial aid

• Maintains organized records for efficiency in reporting and problem-solving

• Performs all other duties as assigned

Additional Functions

• Ensures the accurate and timely posting of graduate student tuition waivers, grant-funded awards, and locally funded special awards

• Coordinates with student records staff to adjust and maintain student accounts based on enrollment status

• Ensures compliance with university and funding agency guidelines

• Creates and maintains informational documents to assist graduate students in understanding their aid and reading their student accounts

• Creates and maintains process documents to assist staff supporting graduate students

• Coordinates the dissemination of information related to student financial aid, payroll, taxes, and insurance to appropriate parties

• Compiles required reporting documents for fellowships and grants housed in Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies

• Conducts audits, reviews, and updates processes to ensure accuracy and efficiency; identifies and resolves issues

• Provides ad hoc support and promotes proactive training to relevant administrators

• This individual may also assist with seasonal activities in the GPS Office, including recruiting, commencement events, and orientation

Rice University HR | Benefits: https://knowledgecafe.rice.edu/benefits

Rice Mission and Values: Mission and Values | Rice University

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This role impacts the graduate student experience at Rice by ensuring the efficient, accurate, and strategic administration of graduate financial aid (excluding loans) for more than 1,700 students. The position oversees the full lifecycle of internal and external funding by tracking, distributing, and monitoring financial aid awards that directly support graduate education and research. In addition, this role contributes to seasonal initiatives within the Office of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies, including recruitment efforts, orientation programming, and commencement activities.