Title:Financial Aid Technician Job Category:Classified Department:Student Services Req #:F1900073 Salary:$40,044 - $50,820 FT/PT/Pooled:Full-time Perm %:100 Perm Mo:12 Closing Date:08/30/2019 Position Description:

Under general supervision, perform a variety of duties related to processing of financial aid applications and determination of student eligibility for financial aid funding; to maintain records and prepare reports; to assist and provide guidance to students and parents; and to perform related duties as assigned.

Essential Duties:

The following duties are typical of those performed by employees in this job title, however, employees may perform other related duties, and not all duties listed are necessarily performed by each employee in this job title.

• Guides and advises students, prospective students and parents concerning financial aid programs, forms and regulations. Explains complex policies and procedures and answers questions over the phone, in person and via email
• Assists applicants in completing the various forms and on-line applications required for financial aid eligibility. Researches and resolves problems with document tracking, application status, and check disbursement
• Evaluates student information to determine financial aid eligibility and process loans; determine BOG eligibility and issue BOG fee waivers
• Performs revisions to financial aid awards according to federal, state, and institutional requirements due to changes in enrollment status, requests for changes in award, and other special revision projects. Monitors individual student awards, resolves data conflicts, and/or over awards
• Reviews documents submitted for financial aid applications, verification, appeals and loan requests for completeness and accuracy. Follows up with students when additional documentation or information is required
• Develops, maintains and reconciles a variety of financial aid records, ledgers, logs and data related to financial aid and student eligibility status; including reconciling ledgers to budgets and tracking of emergency loan applications
• Uses the BANNER System on a daily basis to track documents, revise awards, update student information, and to generate reports
• Conducts individual loan debt and repayment counseling sessions; conducts general financial aid workshops for students at the college, district high schools and/or in the community
• Establishes and maintains program and student files, ensuring required documentation is preserved and retained for the required time as mandated by the federal and state governments. Coordinates the archiving and destruction of financial aid materials
• Researches, assembles, and summarizes a variety of information and statistical data; assists the Financial Aid Specialists and the Director in the compilation of various reports
• Coordinates financial aid services with other Student Service Departments to obtain and relay information related to specific student needs and financial status
• Assists in assigning and reviewing the work of student employees; May assist in training and oversight of student workers
• Provides assistance with student work-study employment
• Provides a variety of clerical support for the financial aid office including word processing, spreadsheet maintenance, phone coverage, daily mail distribution, and requisitioning supplies
• Participates in professional development activities and attends training workshops
• May provide back-up assistance to other departments as needed
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Basic principles and practices of accounting as it applies to financial aid
• English grammar, composition, spelling and punctuation
• Office etiquette and public service/speaking techniques
• Basic computer usage including MS Windows, Internet, MS Outlook Calendar & Email systems

Skill in:

• Quickly learning, interpreting, applying, and explaining complex financial aid regulations and guidelines
• Describing lending terms and requirements, and providing basic financial counseling to individuals with little practical financial experience
• Preparing, maintaining, and reconciling financial records and data; performing calculations; researching, compiling and summarizing data
• Paying attention to detail in all matters
• Operating personal computers, printers, fax machines
• Using the Microsoft Suite of PC Software including WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint, Publisher
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds or developmental and/or physical disabilities; ability to maintain a calm and professional behavior in stressful situations, such as a high volume of students
• Organizing and maintaining files, records, logs, and documentation
• Preparing written procedural instructions, reports, and correspondence
• Using a variety of human relation skills to provide general information to student and parent customers, exercise patience, tact and sensitivity with students and, resolve confrontations, and convey a positive image of the college

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS: The physical abilities involved in the performance of essential duties with or without reasonable accommodations are:

• Manual dexterity to operate keyboards and manipulate papers
• Speech and hearing to communicate effectively with individuals
• Vision to read text, forms and computer screens

This work is performed primarily in an office setting.

Minimum Qualifications:MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or GED
• Keyboarding with a minimum speed @ 40 words per minute

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

• Must possess a valid driver’s license and have a satisfactory driving record
• May be required to attend meetings, training workshops and conferences and make presentations outside of scheduled work hours
• Demonstrated sensitivity to and understanding of persons with diverse backgrounds

Desirable Characteristics:

A combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• A combination of education and experience equivalent to completion of high school supplemented by college level coursework in accounting; and two years of sub- or paraprofessional experience in finance or accounting, which has included interpretation and application of financial-related regulations
• Experience working in higher education with an emphasis in working with student information and/or accounting on-line administrative systems
• Community college experience is preferred

Required Documents:Cover Letter, Resume/CV