Job Description

West Hills College Lemoore

Financial Aid Technician I
Range 36

25 hours a week
Temporary, Substitute Assignment
Position Duties

Summary
Performs general and specialized clerical duties related to processing information for student grant and other financial aid programs. Maintains student financial obligation records. Provides technical assistance and information to students, staff and the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Serves as first point of contact for the office on phones and at front counter. Disseminates general financial aid information to students and the public.
• Assists students and parents with FAFSA financial aid applications, processing procedures, and interpreting policies of the funding organizations. Explains the different types of financial aid programs, including obligations and payment schedules.
• Instructs students in correct procedures for completion of forms and applications, special requirements and restrictions, and supporting documentation such as tax returns, income and housing verifications, and transcripts. Reviews completed forms for accuracy and completeness.
• Assists students to understand the relationship between financial aid awards and course load, grades, and other student achievement factors.
• Sets up appointments for financial aid counseling.
• Processes applications and calculates awards for local financial aid and grants using established procedures and guides. Enters information into computer-aided databases.
• Schedules appointments for students to see Financial Aid Counselors. Compiles information to support conferences.
• Initiates level 1 form letters on delinquent and defaulted loans. Receives information from the Department of Education and other sources, including internal reports, verifies account balances and student status, and initiates written contact with students. Works with students to restore current account status.
• May prepare standardized correspondence for/to students, verifying status and other information.
• Performs miscellaneous clerical duties for the office such as updating policy and procedure manuals and award tables, editing student files, replenishing forms and communication devices, collecting data for reports, and preparing general correspondence.
• Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

Knowledge and Skills
Requires a basic knowledge of the policies and procedures associated with financial aid programs including grants and waivers. Requires a basic knowledge of federal and institutional satisfactory academic progress policy. Requires a basic knowledge of regulations and institutional policies relevant to admissions, registration, accounts payable, and financial aid practices. Requires knowledge of and skills with routine office policies, procedures and equipment, including PCs and applicable student information databases, word processing and spreadsheet applications. Requires sufficient English language skill to prepare routine correspondence. Requires sufficient human relation skills to provide general information to student-customers, exercise patience when dealing with students, and convey a positive image of the college. Requires sufficient math skills to compute principal, interest, sums, percents, and ratios.

Abilities
Requires the ability to perform all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision. Requires the ability to perform basic record keeping, data entry, file maintenance, and report writing duties. Requires the ability to communicate program elements and requirements with students, faculty and outside agencies/customers. Requires the ability to instruct students on the financial aid application process and to resolve conflict. Ability to perform data entry onto an automated information system. May require the ability to perform assignments on varying work schedules.

Working Conditions
Work is performed indoors where minimal safety considerations exist.
Qualification

Education and Experience
The position requires a High School diploma or equivalent and two years of related work experience such as in loan origination or servicing, financial aid or basic accounting. Additional higher education may substitute for some experience.

Licenses and Certificates
Require's a valid driver's license.

Supplemental Information

Required Materials:

1. Online District Application
2. Resume

*Incomplete applications will not be accepted. It is the candidates responsibility to make sure the application packet is complete.*

West Hills Community College District is an equal opportunity employer committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender status, marital status, pregnancy, age, disability, genetic information or covered veteran's status consistent with applicable federal and state laws. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

Background Check: All of our positions require the ability to pass a background and live scan.

Drug Testing: In accordance with the Drug Free Environment of WHCCD, The applicant understands that if he/she is selected for employment, as a part of their employment they will be required to submit to a drug and alcohol test as a part of the health examination.

Selection Process: Depending upon the number of applicants who meet the minimum qualifications, the examination process may include a qualifications screening by a committee. Those demonstrating the strongest backgrounds related to the position will be invited to interview.