Financial Aid Specialist II

Financial Aid Specialist

This position provides advanced support in the administration of financial aid programs and services for students. The specialist is expected to take a lead role in administering the Federal Direct Loan Program, coordinating The Foundation Scholarships, and troubleshooting complex aid issues. The successful candidate will have a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. It requires phenomenal organizational skills, the ability to prioritize and multitask. An employee in a position allocated to this class will serve as a knowledgeable resource in the completion of the scholarship applications, addressing inquiries, maintaining student financial aid records, collecting documents, and ensuring that students are well-informed about the various financial aid programs available to them.

Responsible for determining student eligibility for various financial aid programs, including Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans) and the Foundation Scholarships. Originate, monitor, and reconcile Federal Direct Loans in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education and institutional systems. Perform Direct Loan certification, entrance and exit counseling tracking, and ensure accurate and timely disbursement. Administer the institution's Foundation Scholarships, including application intake, review, eligibility assessment, and award coordination. To include maintaining and updating scholarship criteria, application processes, and timelines. Collaborate with the Foundation Office, donors, and committees to ensure compliance with donor criteria and institutional guidelines. Collaborate with student accounts and the Business Office on loan refunds and reconciliation. Provide detailed counseling to students and families on loan responsibilities, repayment options, and borrowing limits. Monitor academic progress to ensure continued eligibility for loans and other aid. Contribute to audits, compliance reporting, and annual loan reconciliation processes. Support financial aid outreach, orientations, loan workshops, and default prevention activities. Provide extraordinary service to both internal and external customers within the organization. Assists with the completion FAFSA and scholarship applications, maintain records, and assist in collection of documents. (These essential job functions are not to be construed as a complete statement of all duties performed. Employees will be required to perform other job related marginal duties as required.)

Knowledge of federal and state laws, procedures and guidelines. Knowledge of accounting procedures. Familiarity with various software applications, to include but not limited to, Microsoft and Excel. Ability to keep accurate and complete records. Experience in retrieving and updating information in Banner or other database system. Ability to apply principles of logical and critical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions. Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgement. Knowledge and skill in general office procedures with strong organizational skills with a demonstration to detail. Ability to manage high volume records and files. Ability to work under pressure. Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to communicate with a broad array of individuals from various backgrounds. Ability to relate to students, other college personnel and community members. Ability to speak in front of large crowds. Associate in Arts degree in appropriate area plus three years of records management experience preferably with one-year financial aid experience; or High School diploma plus five years of records experience, one of which preferably is in a financial aid area. Very computer literate. Acceptable eyesight (with or without correction). Acceptable hearing (with or without hearing aid). Ability to communicate both orally and in writing. Use of fingers. Works inside in an office environment. (Reasonable accommodations will be made in accordance with existing ADA requirements for otherwise qualified individuals with a disability.)