Apply on Employer Site

Inside Higher Ed · 2 weeks ago

Financial Aid Specialist

Reedley, CA

Full-time

Onsite

Entry, Mid Level

$67K/yr - $82K/yr

2+ years exp

Inside Higher Ed is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to perform technical duties related to the evaluation of student financial aid information. The role involves assisting students with financial aid applications, determining eligibility and packaging awards, and monitoring student status regarding financial aid funds.

Digital MediaEducationHigher EducationJournalismRecruiting

Responsibilities

Explains and assists students with understanding and completing financial aid applications and forms; interviews students regarding completeness and consistency of information and accuracy of a wide variety of financial aid forms and documentation including applications, transcripts, tax forms, and fee waivers; verifies student status and academic progress; explains deadlines and disbursement dates; refers students to other agencies as necessary to obtain required documentation

Receives, analyzes and validates financial aid applications for eligibility; evaluates financial aid needs analyses using standard federal formulas for all available programs to determine Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in each case; determines eligibility and packages financial aid and scholarships, including Pell Grants, direct student loans, work study and supplemental educational opportunity grants

Serves on committees to evaluate student financial aid appeals on a case-by-case basis; reviews and evaluates special circumstances and makes professional judgment adjustments to the data elements on the FAFSA, overrides a student's dependency status and determines and processes any changes in EFC necessary

Coordinates or participates in assigned major financial aid programs, including scholarships, Dream Act, Federal Work Study, Direct Student Loans, Cal Grants, Chafee grants and other grant programs; masters the detailed technical knowledge and procedural requirements of each assigned program to serve as the program's in-house expert; assists with reconciliation of funds from various programs and identifies potential overpayments and adjustments

Runs reports, analyzes data and monitors student enrollment status, enrollment changes, courses taken/repeated and progress towards degree; identifies and assists in resolving academic progress issues that may affect aid; places administrative holds on financial aid due to failure to meet academic requirements; determines and processes financial aid overpayments, Return to Title IV funds (R2T4), post-withdrawal disbursements and adjustments to payments

Conducts comprehensive audits of student financial aid files to verify completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all information and documentation supporting a student's financial aid status; identifies and assists in resolving compliance issues for required procedural or regulatory reporting, filing or submission

Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District

Interacts with other departments and with state and federal programs on behalf of a student

Presents and participates in financial aid educational workshops and outreach events

Processes documentation and hiring paperwork for District and Federal work study students

As assigned, provides work guidance to student aides; monitors work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District, department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards; provides information, instruction and training on work procedures and technical, legal and regulatory requirements

Qualification

Financial aid programsNeeds analysisFederal regulationsData analysisFinancial recordkeepingCultural competencyCommunication skillsInterpersonal skillsProblem-solvingConfidentiality

Required

An associate degree in a relevant field, and two years of experience reviewing documentation and determining eligibility for financial aid or program participation; or an equivalent combination of training and experience

Knowledge of financial aid department services, goals, objectives, policies, procedures and practices and associated needs analysis and award packaging processes and procedures

Knowledge of federal, state and local financial aid programs and regulations

Knowledge of interviewing and consulting techniques

Knowledge of policies, objectives and technical aspects of financial aid programs and activities, including financial aid needs analysis and award packaging processes and procedures

Knowledge of financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques

Knowledge of personal and financial issues/special circumstances of economically disadvantaged students

Knowledge of District student recordkeeping practices and procedures for processing student information and interpreting input and output data

Knowledge of The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title IV and other state and federal laws and regulations and District rules, policies and procedures governing financial aid and applicable eligibility criteria including federal tax law, regulations, forms and schedules relevant to the position

Knowledge of District financial aid software applications

Knowledge of principles and practices of sound business communication including English usage, spelling and punctuation

Knowledge of standard business software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs such as Access and SQL query development

Skills and abilities to perform complex technical duties in support of financial aid programs and services

Skills and abilities to interpret, explain and apply complex federal, state and college guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices governing financial aid, veterans' benefits and scholarship programs

Skills and abilities to understand requests for information or assistance; maintain a courteous and tactful manner when under pressure or in an antagonistic situation

Skills and abilities to make determinations and apply professional judgment regarding eligibility for financial assistance based on established procedures and guidelines, ensuring consistency and a high degree of accuracy

Skills and abilities to analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action in accordance with established policies and procedures

Skills and abilities to maintain confidentiality of District and student files and records

Skills and abilities to effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices

Skills and abilities to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing

Skills and abilities to prepare clear, concise and accurate records, data entries, reports and other written materials

Skills and abilities to operate a computer and use standard business and third-party software and databases

Skills and abilities to represent the District effectively one on one and in a variety of group settings

Skills and abilities to exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex and confidential student issues and situations

Skills and abilities to establish and maintain effective working relationships with all those encountered in the course of work

Preferred

A bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in education, finance, accounting, business administration, social work, counseling, psychology, communications, sociology, mathematics or another related field is highly desirable