at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, United States
Job Description
Job Opening Id: 54236
Department: Student Finance
Salary/Grade: NEX/11
The expected salary for this position is between $25.00 – $27.00 per hour, in alignment with departmental equity and market data.
Job Summary:
Reporting to the Manager of Loan Servicing and Collections, the Financial Assistant serves as a primary point of contact for borrowers, campus partners, and external stakeholders regarding institutional loan accounts, repayment options, billing, payment processing, delinquency resolution, and related loan servicing policies. This role provides accurate, timely, and customer-focused support through multiple service channels, including phone, email, walk-ins, and scheduled appointments. The Financial Assistant performs day-to-day loan servicing activities using advanced knowledge of institutional loan programs, servicing practices, and applicable regulations. The position exercises independent judgment, analysis, and problem-solving skills to interpret policies, resolve borrower inquiries, process account transactions, and address routine and moderately complex loan servicing issues. Through professionalism, attention to detail, and a commitment to service excellence, this position helps ensure accurate loan administration, regulatory compliance, and consistent, high-quality borrower experience while supporting the overall mission of Loan Servicing and Collections.
Please note:
Supervisor provides objectives & deadlines. Work is reviewed for fulfillment of objectives & deadlines & overall compliance with policy & procedures. EE completes some activities without direction, informing supervisor only of potentially controversial matters, &/or far-reaching implications.
Specific Responsibilities:
Analysis, Statements & Reporting:
- Provides reports to managers on tracking payment status & notification when balances & activities do not comply with policy and procedures or are inadequately prepared.
- Provides day-to-day financial and administrative support related to institutional loan accounts, including payment processing, account maintenance, billing, reconciliations, and borrower account resolution in accordance with established policies and procedures.
- Reviews and analyzes loan account activity to identify discrepancies, resolve servicing issues, and escalate complex or sensitive matters to management as appropriate.
- Creates reports & queries; reviews for incomplete records, data entry errors, &/or accounting mistakes.
- Exercises sound judgment and problem-solving skills to research and resolve non-routine loan servicing issues while adhering to established guidelines, poli
