Program Specialist 3 - Financial Aid (Loans)

Program Specialist 3 - Financial Aid (Loans)

Olympic College is seeking to hire a full-time Program Specialist 3 (Loans) within Financial Aid. Under the general supervision of the Assistant Director, the Financial Aid Counselor serves as a key member of the financial aid team. The counselor independently manages a caseload from application through disbursement, including reviewing student documentation, completing U.S. Department of Education verification, and determining / awarding federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility. The counselor provides guidance to students and families, ensures compliance with applicable regulations and policies, maintains accurate records, and meets established service and processing timelines.

The counselor also serves on the Financial Aid Appeals Committee, reviewing special-circumstance requests and Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals. This position is expected to work independently while collaborating effectively with colleagues and campus partners to support student success.

Essential Functions include :

• Conducting comprehensive financial aid processing, including application review, verification, compliance reporting, appeals evaluation, and student data updates, ensuring accuracy and adherence to federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Providing front-line financial aid support by resolving inquiries, managing service tickets, presenting at enrollment events, and ensuring timely, accurate communication with students.
• Managing financial aid awarding and disbursement in PeopleSoft, ensuring compliance, accuracy, and alignment with student eligibility, while coordinating third-party payments and maintaining audit-ready records.
• Supporting compliance and audit readiness by assisting leadership with documentation, maintaining audit-ready records, and contributing to unit goals through cross-training, special projects, and operational support.

Qualifications include :

Terms of Employment :

This is a full-time classified position scheduled to work 40 hours a week, with a salary range of $56,880 - $76,608 annually. All classified positions will start their salary at Step A, when you have completed six months of probation, you will receive a 5 percent pay increase. A collective bargaining agreement exists, and this position is covered by the Washington Public Employees Associate (WPEA) Union. Classified positions qualify for the following benefits : Medical / vision, dental, long-term disability, life insurance, and accidental dismemberment, Flexible Spending Arrangement, Dependent Care Assistance Program, Wellness Programs, Department of Retirement Systems Plan 2 or Plan 3, Deferred Compensation Program (DRS) retirement savings plan; TIAA supplemental retirement savings plan, Aflac, 11 paid holidays, leave vacation / sick / personal holiday / personal leave, auto / home insurance, space available tuition waiver, Employee Assistance Program (EAP), fitness center, reduced rate and priority consideration on-site child care on a space available.

Conditions of Employment :

How To Apply :

To be considered for this position a candidate must apply online through the Olympic College website and submit the following required materials :

EEO Statement :

Olympic College provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. Accommodation inquiries can be sent to HRticket@olympic.edu.