Posting Details

Position TitleFinancial Aid Specialist - Northwest Regional CenterRequisition NumberSCA00378General Description

The Financial Aid Specialist is a Financial Aid team member assigned to the College’s Northwest Regional Center. This position is responsible for advising students and parents on financial aid procedures; and reviewing, verifying and awarding financial aid. This position will provide high-level support and serve as the administrative contact for students, while enforcing line control and managing the flow of students who need financial aid counseling. The position will collaborate with front counter and back office financial aid staff to ensure students receive the highest level of customer service. Additional responsibilities include researching and resolving financial aid payment problems, bookstore credits, holds and other matters affecting student aid, and representing the College at on-campus and off-campus events, and assisting in the supervision of the Office’s federal work-study students.

Specific Responsibilities

• Counsel prospective students, continuing students, parents and families regarding the financial aid application process and eligibility for Federal and State aid, and assist them with the on-line process of completing a FAFSA application.

• Assist students in applying for Federal and private loans and scholarships, understanding and completing the institutional payment plan, and resolve rejected aid applications.

• Communicate with students and families via written, voice, and electronic media in order to relay information about student’s eligibility or to request further documentation to determine eligibility.

• Track documentation received by students utilizing the document management process; create files for new students and continuing students; appropriately file, at Main Campus, documents received at Regional Centers and merge documents for students that possess duplicate files.

• Update student’s aid in Banner, add student loans to student’s aid package; correspond with Coordinator, Student Loan Program to ensure student is receiving appropriate amount requested.

• Verify information on the Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) and compare with the information on the student’s or parent’s Federal tax return.

• Collaborate with outside offices, research and resolve financial aid payment problems, including those identified by Bursar’s office and Office of Student Records and Registration.

• Resolve Bursar’s office holds and explain resolution to students.

• Work with advisors and counselors to make recommendations to students who were dropped for poor scholarship; correspond with Records and Registration to resolve enrollment status issues and to ensure that student has completed required testing.

• Conduct workshops and presentations for new and continuing students.

• Generate and reconcile reports.

• Represent the College at on-campus and off-campus events.

• Conduct on-line filing workshops, as required.

• Periodic assignment to Main Campus, as needed.

• Adhere to FERPA regulations as they pertain to maintaining the security and confidentiality of all student records, as well as maintain the confidentiality of other documents on behalf of the work area and the College.

• Perform assigned duties in a manner consistent with the mission, goals and core values of the College.

• Maintain sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds.

• Deliver quality customer services to both internal and external constituents in a professional helpful and courteous manner.

• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required. Any and all degree(s) must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.

• A minimum of two years of relevant work experience within a financial aid function required.

• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills in all media (phone, face to face, and email).

• Demonstrated understanding of financial aid regulations required.

• Experience working with people from culturally diverse and economic backgrounds.

• Ability to use independent judgment in making administrative/procedural decisions with minimal supervision.

• Must be able to foster a positive and productive work environment, with ability to help lead and motivate staff, and model exceptional service to internal and external customers.

• Ability to demonstrate a positive attitude towards daily challenges and ability to process high volumes of work with accuracy required.

• Ability to manage multiple, simultaneous priorities and meet deadlines required.

• Demonstrated proficiency using MS Word and Excel required.

• Experience with an enterprise-wide system required.

• Access to reliable transportation and ability to travel within the local area is required.

• Ability to maintain sensitivity, understanding and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ellucian Banner preferred.

• Experience in, and appreciation for, a collective bargaining environment is preferred.

Work LocationNorthwest RegionalBenefitsSpecial Instructions to Applicants

*Interested persons should complete an online application.

*Cover letter of interest and resume REQUIRED

*Names and contact information of 3 professional references OPTIONAL

Review of applications will continue until the position is filled.

Applicants must be legally eligible to work in the U.S.

Community College of Philadelphia is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity and Equal Access Employer. The College encourages applications from individuals from traditionally underrepresented groups.

Salary Grade or RankISalary RangeSalary commensurate with relevant work experienceJob Posting Open Date01/13/2020Job Posting Close DateType of PositionAdministratorJob CategoryEmployment Status Full-TimeSupplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

1. * How did you hear about Community College of Philadelphia?
   • CareerBuilder.com
   • Higheredjobs.com
   • LinkedIn
   • The Chronicle
   • Veterans Job Fair
   • Professional & Technology Diversity Career Fair
   • AL DIA - Diversity Career Fair
   • Community College of Philadelphia Website
   • Indeed.com
   • Other
2. * If your answer to the above question is Other, please note the source below. If this question does not apply to you, enter N/A.

   (Open Ended Question)

3. * What is the highest level of education you have completed?
   • No Response
   • High School/GED
   • Associates Degree
   • Bachelor's Degree
   • Master's Degree
   • Doctorate
   • Other
4. * Do you have a minimum of two years of relevant work experience within a financial aid function?
   • Yes
   • No
5. * Do you have previous experience using an enterprise-wide system?
   • Yes
   • No
6. * Do you have previous experience using the Banner by Ellucian system?
   • Yes
   • No
7. * Do you have experience in, and appreciation for, a collective bargaining environment?
   • Yes
   • No
8. * Do you have demonstrated understanding of financial aid regulations?
   • Yes
   • No

Documents Needed to ApplyRequired Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

1. References