DEFINITION

Under general supervision of the Director, Financial Aid, performs a variety of complex and technical duties processing financial aid applications and awarding and monitoring multiple financial aid programs; advising and educating students, staff, and the general public in matters related to applications and eligibility; and values and promotes the mission and vision of the college. 

CLASS CHARACTERISTICS

The incumbent performs technical work with a high degree of accuracy in the planning, organizing, and carrying out of  multiple student financial aid programs with a considerable degree of independence thereby relieving the supervisor of a wide range of routine program administration. The incumbent is required to have an operational knowledge of federal and state regulations and guidelines to ensure program compliance and to support student learning outcomes and institutional effectiveness.

1. Maintains current knowledge of federal,  state and institutional guidelines/regulations related to multiple financial aid and Veteran’s programs and interprets and applies these regulations to determine eligibility and to maintain program integrity.
2. Assists, advises, and educates students and  parents in completing applications and forms and understanding available sources of assistance including federal and state aid, Veterans Education Benefits, and scholarships.
3. Analyzes financial aid applications and determines eligibility for multiple programs and level of financial assistance.
4. Verifies financial and household information reported on students’ applications and resolves all resulting conflicts utilizing resources including, but not limited to, Federal and state student aid regulations, Federal IRS tax publications, Federal tax return transcripts and W-2 forms.
5. Verifies other eligibility criteria reported on students’ applications and resolves resulting conflicts utilizing resources including, but not limited to, documents from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Selective Service System, the court system, and Social Service agencies.
6. Evaluates transcripts, student education plans, and student academic history to determine year in college, unusual enrollment history and prior financial aid history that may affect students’ continuing or remaining eligibility.
7. Applies financial aid policy to determine satisfactory academic progress utilizing students’ transcripts and academic history.
8. Ensures data fields in the financial aid delivery system are set accordingly to calculate eligibility for multiple programs and executes the process to calculate and post student awards.    
9. Explains financial aid awards, retaining eligibility, loan responsibility, and repayment     obligations to students.
10. Advises students in personal budgeting.
11. Provides data for preparation of state, federal, and local reports.
12. Prepares correspondence, forms, and award notifications.
13. Assists with the development and implementation of internal policies and procedures      related to processing financial aid applications and monitoring eligibility.
14. Discretionary ability to determine exceptions to policy or eligibility formulas for students with exceptional circumstances.
15. Assists with planning and conducting financial aid workshops, outreach programs and scholarship events.
16. Attends conferences, meetings, and workshops to remain current with ongoing changes to Federal and state regulations. 
17. Performs other related duties and responsibilities as required.

Knowledge of:

• Correct English usage, spelling, grammar, and punctuation;
• Written business communications;
• Socioeconomic conditions of area residents;
• Federal, state, and local student financial aid programs;
• Public and human relations techniques.

Demonstrated Ability to:

• Learn, interpret, and apply financial aid regulations, policies, guidelines, and procedures;
• Multitask and adapt to changing tasks, workflows, and project expectations;
• Plan, organize, and prioritize work in order to meet frequent and changing deadlines;
• Analyze student financial aid needs;
• Assist and advise students;
• Make arithmetical computations quickly and accurately;
• Operate a computer with speed and accuracy;
• Work with minimum supervision;
• Understand and carry out oral and written directions.

Working Conditions:

• Duties are primarily performed in an office environment, at a desk or at a computer.
• The incumbent will experience interruptions while performing normal duties during the regular workday.
• The incumbent will have frequent contact, in person, via email, and by telephone, with staff, students, and the general public.

Physical Demands:

• May sit for extended periods of time.
• Operates a computer and software programs.
• Communicates over the telephone, via email, and in person.
• Ability to lift, carry, and/or move objects weighing up to 10 pounds.

Special Qualification:

A sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds of staff and students and to staff and students with disabilities.

Education and Experience:

Possession of a bachelor’s degree or higher from an accredited university or college with a major in psychology, sociology, public relations, financial services or related fields and two years of increasingly responsible experience in student financial aid or areas related to financial aid or any equivalent combination of training and experience.

 The desired start date is February 2025. This is a full-time, 37-hour-per-week, 12-month classified position.  This position is categorically funded and is contingent upon continuous funding.  
Bilingual in Spanish is preferred.
 
Hours for this position are: 
Monday& Tuesday 9:30 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. 
Wednesday & Thursday 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. 
Friday 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

To be considered as a candidate for this position, please submit your application and the following materials through our website no later than Wednesday, January 8, 2025 at 11:59 p.m.:

• A cover letter
• A current and complete resume of education and professional experience.