State Center Community College District · 4 weeks ago
Financial Aid Specialist
Clovis, CA
Full-time
Onsite
Mid LevelState Center Community College District is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to perform technical duties related to the evaluation of student financial aid information. This role involves assisting students with financial aid applications, determining eligibility for aid, and coordinating various financial aid programs.
E-LearningEducationHigher EducationUniversities
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 programs 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 students 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
Required
Financial aid department services, goals, objectives, policies, procedures and practices and associated needs analysis and award packaging processes and procedures
Federal, state and local financial aid programs and regulations
Interviewing and consulting techniques
Policies, objectives and technical aspects of financial aid programs and activities, including financial aid needs analysis and award packaging processes and procedures
Financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques
Personal and financial issues/special circumstances of economically disadvantaged students
District student recordkeeping practices and procedures for processing student information and interpreting input and output data
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
District financial aid software applications
Principles and practices of sound business communication including English usage, spelling and punctuation
Standard business software including word processing, spreadsheet and database programs such as Access and SQL query development
Perform complex technical duties in support of financial aid programs and services
Interpret, explain and apply complex federal, state and college guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices governing financial aid, veterans benefits and scholarship programs
Understand requests for information or assistance; maintain a courteous and tactful manner when under pressure or in an antagonistic situation
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
Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt effective courses of action in accordance with established policies and procedures
Maintain confidentiality of District and student files and records
Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive service-oriented practices
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
Prepare clear, concise and accurate records, data entries, reports and other written materials
Operate a computer and use standard business and third-party software and databases
Represent the District effectively one on one and in a variety of settings
Company
State Center Community College District
Community College District in the Central Valley which includes Fresno, Madera, Kings and parts of Tulare counties.
Founded in 1964
1001-5000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$1.5MKey Investors
California Community Colleges Chancellor's Office
2017-02-15Grant· $1.5M
Leadership Team
Don Lopez
Chief Technology Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase