Financial Aid Specialist #498072, #499387, #499382
- Employer
- Lamar University
- Location
- Beaumont, TX
View more
- Administrative Jobs
- Institutional & Business Affairs, Financial Aid
- Employment Type
- Full Time
- Institution Type
- Four-Year Institution
Job Details
20112101
Position Title:Financial Aid Specialist #498072, #499387, #499382
FTE:1.00
Position Type:Staff
Department:Student Financial Aid
Job Summary/Basic Function:General Description:
Under the direction of the Assistant Director for Financial Aid Operations, the Financial Aid Specialist, Operations will be involved in all aspects of financial aid administration. The purpose of this position is to evaluate, approve and award financial aid to students in accordance with federal, state, and university regulations, policies and operating guidelines. This position assesses financial needs of students, advises students and parents regarding financial aid options, processes and requirements. Participates as appropriate in systems/procedures planning and management; implements and coordinates specific individual programs or assignments in accordance with the overall objectives of the office, within the division of Enrollment Management.
Essential Job Functions:
•Analyzes and evaluates financial viability of students and families and provides advice and counsel regarding available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements, and the application process.
•Reviews and assesses eligibility of applications for financial aid; exercises professional judgment to determine whether adjustments should be made.
•Reviews for accuracy and provides signature approval/disapproval of loan applications, promissory notes, and other financial documents.
•Responds to inquiries and researches and resolves problems related to transactions handled by the unit; serves as liaison with other constituencies in the resolution of day-to-day administrative and operational issues.
•Provide information, in person, on the telephone, and through electronic Chat, to students, prospective students, and families regarding student financial aid, admissions, account balance, and registration status.
•Serves as liaison with state, federal, tribal, and other agencies; keeps abreast of student assistance opportunities and program regulations.
•Oversees the collection, management, and reporting of data in accordance with the objectives of the position; participates in the development and implementation of data management systems and procedures, as appropriate.
•Implements, coordinates, and oversees one or more specific administrative programs and/or service areas, as assigned.
•Trains and serves as an operational resource to other staff and/or students, as appropriate; may supervise student employees or lower-level staff.
•Serves as subject matter expert, suggesting improvements where appropriate and maintaining procedural and policy documentation on an annual basis.
•Performs miscellaneous job-related duties as assigned.
Job Requirements:
•High school diploma or GED; at least 5 years of experience directly related to the duties and responsibilities specified.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities: Excellent communication and counseling skills (verbal and written). This position involves significant interaction with students and parents. Strong analytical and computer proficiency skills are necessary, along with the ability to multitask effectively. This job requires the ability to perform the four basic arithmetic operations.
Lamar University is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Veteran's Preference Statement:Lamar University is proud to provide employment preference to veteran applicants in accordance with Texas 805 Government Code, Section 657.003.
Preferred Qualifications:Experience Preferred: Two years of experience in a financial aid preferred. Two years at an institution of higher learning or another highly regulated field required. Familiar with financial documents and a high competency of computer skills. Strong customer service skills that demonstrate a “student first” environment.
Security Sensitive Statement:This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.
Salary:$25,008
Posting Date:04/20/2021
Open Until Filled:Yes
Organization
Texas Roots. Infinite Possibilities.
Lamar University students enjoy small classes where they can build lasting friendships with professors and peers. The 270-acre campus is in Beaumont, Texas, located about 90 miles east of Houston and 25 miles west of the Louisiana border. A comprehensive public university, Lamar gives students a chance to explore a variety of interests to prepare them to succeed in whatever fields they choose.
Academics
A member of the Texas State University System, Lamar University offers 63 undergraduate, 47 master's and nine doctoral degree programs. The university has more than 13,000 students enrolled in five academic colleges - Arts and Sciences, Business, Education and Human Development, Engineering, Fine Arts and Communication. Lamar also offers the College of Graduate Studies and academic programs such as the Center for General Studies.
Students have access to numerous opportunities for scholarships, undergraduate research and study abroad programs. Lamar University students have:
- Performed research for NASA and flown experiments on NASA reduced-gravity flights.
- Presented original research at academic conferences as undergraduates in fields including mathematics, business and sociology.
- Enjoyed a 73 percent acceptance rate to medical and dental schools in recent years, compared to a 39 percent acceptance rate statewide.
- Gone on to lead major companies and make a name for themselves in fields from art and music to nursing and engineering.
Athletics
Students can participate in or cheer on their peers in more than a dozen NCAA Division I sports. Last year, the Cardinals were Southland Conference champions in men's golf, cross country and women's tennis. The volleyball and men's basketball teams were regular season co-champs and the women's basketball team was Southland Conference East Division champion. The LU baseball program has produced several major leaguers. The women's soccer program is entering its second season. The golf team has topped national rankings in recent years.
LU is beginning to rebuild a football program. A coach was hired in 2008. The stadium and athletic complex are being renovated, and the Cardinals plan to return to the gridiron in 2010.
Campus Life
A building boom at Lamar University in the past decade has given students access to state-of-the art facilities for learning, playing, dining and living.
Residents of Cardinal Village, the modern residence halls, have private bedrooms, high-speed Internet and amenities including an outdoor pool, basketball courts and community centers. The new dining hall offers a bistro ambience with international and American cuisine.
Working out in the Sheila Umphrey Recreational Sports Center is like a trip to an exclusive gym where students have an automatic membership. Features include a 43-foot climbing wall, an elevated jogging track, new cardiovascular and weighttraining equipment, and courts for sports such as basketball, racquetball and indoor soccer. Competitive types can participate in intramural sports ranging from basketball and flag football to dodgeball, cricket and pool.
Making friends and building a social network is easy at Lamar with more than 100 clubs and organizations registered on campus. Through campus organizations, students can:
- Join a fraternity or sorority
- Get involved in community service
- Delve into a cause
- Nurture spiritual beliefs
- Start networking in future professions
- Do all of the above.
LU is a short drive from many outdoor adventures: a day at the beach, canoeing or fishing on area rivers and bayous, hiking in the Big Thicket National Preserve. Shopping and entertainment options also are nearby including theaters, museums and live music venues large and small.
History
Lamar University was founded in 1923 as South Park Junior College a few blocks from the current location. The name changed to Lamar College in 1932 to honor Mirabeau B. Lamar, second president of the Republic of Texas and the "Father of Education" in Texas. In 1951, the school became Lamar State College of Technology, a state-supported four-year institution, the first junior college in Texas to make such a transition. The name changed to Lamar University in 1971. The university joined the Texas State University System in 1995.
Visit/Apply
Visit campus to learn more about all Lamar University has to offer. Guided campus tours normally are scheduled at 10 a.m. or 2 p.m. Monday through Friday.
To arrange a campus visit, call (409) 880-8316 or e-mail recruitment@lamar.edu
To apply for admission, financial aid and scholarships, go to http://lamar.edu/admissions
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