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Form of workPOSITION SUMMARY
This position is responsible for administering federal, state, and institutional Financial Aid programs as prescribed by federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies. This position is responsible for processing, awarding, and documenting all information necessary for grants, scholarships, college work-study and loan programs. In addition, the Financial Aid Operations Assistant will serve as the VA Certifying Official for the College and lead compliance efforts in regard to gainful employment reporting. This is a 12-month position.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
To perform this position successfully, employee must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The essential duties and responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:
• Administer and award federal, state and institutional aid to students.
• Process and administer the loans in accordance with the regulations from the US Department of Education.
• Serves as the VA certifying official for the college.
• Award and balance Campus Based Aid each academic year.
• Package student awards through use of the institutional computer system.
• Disseminate award packets to all current and prospective students.
• Assist state and private agencies in providing students with additional Financial Aid assistance.
• Assist in compiling data required for the preparation and submission of institutional state, and federal reports.
• Provide Gainful Employment disclosures to certificate students prior to enrollment (federal requirement will resume in 2024)
• Prepare annual program expense and maintenance allowance budgets for all categories of students in relation to packaging Financial Aid awards.
• Attend training workshops provided by state and federal Financial Aid agencies.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state program regulations.
• Maintain and update the Office Procedures manual for the Financial Aid Department.
• Coordinate and reconcile Financial Aid awards and disbursements with the business office.
• Attend meetings on campus to provide information pertaining to Financial Aid and the impact on changes made to the college structure.
• Provide leadership to foster a friendly, service-oriented team of staff with a focus on customer service.
• Supervise the Financial Aid staff.
• Monitor the cohort default rate and strive to ensure that the college rate stays at or below the national average.
• Provide counseling to students and parents regarding federal Financial Aid policies as well as other state and institutional aid policies and availability.
• Provide impromptu counseling to students regarding Financial Aid and the effects of scheduling on Financial Aid eligibility.
• Perform other related duties as needed or assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES)
• Bachelor’s degree in the area of business administration and/or accounting is preferred. Three years of varied Financial Aid experience or comparable experience may be accepted.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and implement federal regulations, short correspondence, and memos. Ability to write general correspondence, memos, letters, contracts, financial statements, and reports.
• Ability to effectively present information in individual group situations to internal and external constituents.
• General knowledge of basic accounting principles and federal tax forms.
• Ability to download information from the Department of Education website and perform installations and upgrades to software required to administer Federal Financial Aid Programs.
• Ability to submit and retrieve student data from the United States Department of Education.
• Demonstrate ability to utilize the institutional computer system. The ability to quickly learn this system, specifically the Financial Aid module.
• Above average computer operation skills.
• Strong interpersonal and human relations skills.
• Ability to provide student-focused services to a diverse population.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including spelling, grammar and public speaking.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, faculty and staff.
• Excellent organizational skills
• Ability to perform detailed work using statistical and financial data.
• Ability to use diplomacy and tact when resolving problems.
• Ability to identify problems and determine the best course of action for their resolution.
• Ability to critically evaluate information for accuracy and usefulness in problem solving.
• Ability to interpret federal regulations and to apply the interpretations to the policies and procedures of the Financial Aid office.
PHYSICAL DEMAND AND WORK ENVIRONMENT
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties and responsibilities of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to (sit or/and stand for long periods of time). The employee frequently is required to use (hands and fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls. Employee must be able to reach with hands and arms. Employee must be able to talk and hear.) The employee is required to stand and walk to other locations on campus.
The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10. Specific vision abilities required by this position include (close or/and long vision).
