Title:Financial Aid Specialist Job Category:Classified Department:Student Services Req #:F2100111 Salary:$49,212 - $62,388/annually FT/PT/Pooled:Full-time Perm %:100 Perm Mo:12 Position Description:

Under direction, to provide lead responsibility for assigned daily operations of the Financial Aid office; to participate in the work of financial aid technicians; to draft and implement as approved departmental forms, policies and procedures based on state, federal and institutional regulations; to exchange data and coordinate with external agencies on financial aid matters; to perform other related duties as assigned. Open until filled.

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 the job title.

• Provides lead responsibility for the Financial Aid front line, including lead direction to Financial Aid Technicians and financial aid office student staff, including assigning, reviewing and correcting work, and providing training and direction
• Provides lead responsibility for Financial Aid electronic data exchanges with the federal government and daily operations of the Banner Financial Aid module; including troubleshooting
• Resolves the more difficult and complex financial aid questions and problems
• Provides in-depth financial aid counseling and advising to families and students, which include attempting to resolve problematic circumstances
• Maintains financial aid website and self-service pages
• Reviews external regulations and requirements affecting financial aid, and drafts appropriate forms, procedures and policies to ensure compliance
• Establishes procedures for and coordinates electronic processing, reporting and submissions with State and Federal financial aid organizations and systems
• Maintains overall financial records and reconciliations for financial aid
• Authorizes financial aid disbursements; including emergency loans, appeals, waivers, etc.
• Provides services and educates students and prospective students regarding Veteran’s Benefits
• Evaluates student aid recipients for continued eligibility, and revises or cancels aid
• Participates in the work of Financial Aid Technicians such as guiding and advising students, prospective students and parents concerning financial aid programs, processes and regulations and explaining complex policies and procedures. Uses the BANNER System on a daily basis to track documents, revise awards, update student information and to generate reports
• Researches, assembles, and summarizes a variety of information and statistical data; assists the Financial Aid 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
• May supervise student employees
• Participates in professional development activities and attends training workshops
• Coordinates the processing and awarding of FRC Foundation, Institutional, and various private student scholarships
• Prepares warrant cancellation requests; initiates and monitors financial aid holds
• Coordinates special events that relate to financial aid services
• Provides back-up assistance to other departments as needed
• Performs other related duties as assigned

Knowledge of:

• Principles and practices of college financial aid
• Federal, state and college financial aid laws, regulations, requirements, policies, procedures, systems and forms
• Software applications and on-line systems used in college financial aid
• Basic accounting principles and mathematics as applies to college financial aid

Skill in:

• Basic principles and practices of accounting as it relates to college financial aid
• Providing supervision and training for student employees
• Coordinating college financial aid operations with external agencies
• Evaluating and interpreting external college financial aid regulations requirements and developing college procedures, policies and forms to ensure compliance and efficiency
• Evaluating complex financial information and making eligibility and disbursement determinations, including authorizing exceptions in appropriate circumstances
• Preparing effective reports, memoranda and correspondence
• Establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with persons of diverse socio-economic backgrounds and/or various disabilities, including under sometimes tense circumstances
• Using a variety of human relation skills to provide general information to student and parent customers, exercise patience, tact and sensitivity with students and parents, resolve confrontations, and convey a positive image of the college
• One or more of the following:

• Coordinating front line operations and establishing and maintaining a high level of customer service, even in challenging circumstances
• Performing electronic data exchanges and electronic procedures with an eye for detail and the ability to notice and resolve challenges

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 in person and by telephone
• Vision to read text, forms and computer screens

This work is performed primarily in an office setting.

Minimum Qualifications:

• High school diploma
• Minimum of two years’ experience in college financial aid, social or veterans’ services, or similar environment with complex state or federal regulations.
• Six months experience working with patrons or the public in a service capacity.

Other Requirements:

• Must possess a valid driver's license and have a satisfactory driving record
• May be required to attend meetings and make presentations outside of scheduled work hours

Desirable Characteristics:

A combination of education and experience equivalent to:

• An Associate's degree in finance or accounting
• Community college financial aid department experience is preferred
• Knowledge of the BANNER system
• Two years’ experience in evaluating financial aid applications and supporting documents for accuracy, clarity and completeness according to federal and state rules and regulations to determine eligibility for financial aid

Required Documents:Cover Letter, Resume/CV