Associate, Financial Aid

Houston Community College; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Houston Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to process and review student financial aid application records and ensure eligibility for federal, state, and institutional programs. You will manage caseloads, verify data, review NSLDS, complete packaging, and disbursement steps throughout the workflow.

You will counsel students, perform need analysis using Federal Methodology, and make professional judgments on awards in extenuating circumstances while maintaining compliance

Qualifications

• 2 years of related work experience in awarding/packaging financial aid, counseling/advising, accounting or related fields.
• Experience in handling security sensitive information and confidential records.

Responsibilities

• Manage a caseload of student records for file review, verification, reconciliation and eligibility.
• Respond to campus staff requests for file review and processing.
• Counsel students and parents on file completion requirements.
• Perform need analysis and packaging using Federal Methodology for eligibility for federal, state and institutional aid.
• Make professional judgments in extenuating circumstances to determine eligibility and awards.
• Establish partnerships with lenders and agencies to resolve discrepancies on behalf of students.
• Efficiently process student records from application to disbursement.
• Develop strategies to secure additional funding sources and retention efforts.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, Red Flag Rules, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, HIPAA and Federal Financial Aid laws.
• Participate in retention strategies to support Enrollment Management.

Skills

PeopleSoft

Budget Management

Federal/state aid knowledge

Delivering High Quality Work

Customer Service

Supporting Organizational Goals

Integrity

Critical Thinking

Tools

PeopleSoft

Job description

Responsible for processing and reviewing student financial aid application records that are assigned by caseload and are distributed through an automated workflow process.Performs a variety of tasks and duties required to ensure eligibility and receipt of federal, state, and institutional aid programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Manage a case load of student records for file review, verification, reconciliation, and ensuring eligibility. Caseload management records include, but are not limited to: Summer Aid Processing, CPS-selected records, institutional-selected records, revision requests, C-Code resolutions, NSLDS reviews, R2T4 calculations and returns, over-awards, packaging adjustments, student loan processing, managing suspense records, resolving conflicting or discrepant information, and working records in assigned workflow in a timely manner.

Respond to campus staff requests for file review and processing.

Counsel students and parents on file completion requirements.

Perform need analysis and packaging using Federal Methodology to determine student’s eligibility for federal, state, and institutional loans, grants, scholarships and student employment programs.

Make professional judgment decisions in extenuating circumstances to determine student’s eligibility and awards.

Establish partnerships with lenders and guarantee agencies, Social Security Administration, Selective Service Administration, Internal Revenue Service and the Immigration and Naturalization Service to resolve discrepancies on behalf of students.

Responsible for the efficient processing of student records from application to disbursement.

Participate in developing strategies for securing additional sources of funding to meet students’ financial needs.

Participate in developing and implementing default management strategies.

Comply with and adhere to the Ethical and Code of Conduct Policies and Procedures.

Participate in developing and implementing strategies retention to support Enrollment Management.

Enforce regulatory standards in compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional requirements.

Comply with and adhere to FERPA, FTC Red Flag Rules, Gramm-Leach-Bliley, HIPPA and Federal Financial Aid Consumer Information Laws.

Complete discrepancy reports as distributed by a Financial Aid Director.

Perform other duties, tasks and assignments as required.

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• 2 years of related work experience required (i.e., Awarding/Packaging Financial Aid, Counseling/Advising, Accounting, Federal/State Administration, etc.)
• Experience in working with security sensitive information and confidential records

Special Skills

• Knowledge of PeopleSoft
• Budget Management
• Thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs
• Delivering High Quality Work
• Serving Customers
• Supporting Organizational Goals
• Driving Continuous ImprovementActing with Integrity
• Thinking Critically

Working Conditions

General Office.Must be able to perform all job requirements with or without reasonable accommodations; remain in a stationary position during shift; move items weighing up to 25 pounds; position self to operate job equipment; apply established protocols in a timely manner.Must access, input and retrieve information from technology devices; communicate with others to accomplish job requirements.May be required to work after hours to include weekends and holidays.

SECURITY SENSITIVE:

This job class may contain positions that are security sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of Texas Education Code § 51.215

The Organization

Houston City College (HCC) is composed of 14 Centers of Excellence and numerous satellite centers that serve the diverse communities in the Greater Houston area by preparing individuals to live and work in an increasingly international and technological society. HCC is one of the country’s largest single-accredited, open-admission, community colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, workforce training, and lifelong learning opportunities.

The Team

Play a central role at HCC as you keep our everyday operations running like clockwork. You’ll get the chance to make things happen and work closely with inspiring leaders across different parts of the institution. Whether your role is supportive, administrative, financial or something else, you’ll be part of a dynamic team that not only provides HCC students with cutting-edge academic and career tools, it also takes care of its people.

Location

Houston is a city with limitless possibilities:

• Fourth-largest city in the U.S. and home to 54 Fortune 500 companies, second only to New York City’s 55.
• Approximately 145 languages are spoken here.
• Overall after-taxes living costs are 5.6 percent below the average for all 308 urban areas recently surveyed.
• Houston is a major-league sports town, and don’t forget the annual Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
• The weather is great! Mild winters ensure that outdoor activities can be enjoyed year-round.
• World-renowned medical care. The Houston metro area has long been known for its first-rate healthcare system, with many Houston area hospitals consistently ranking among the nation’s top institutions.
• With over 150 museums and cultural institutions in the Greater Houston area, museums are a large part of Houston’s cultural scene.
• Houston is the Culture & Culinary Capital of Texas with more than 7,500 restaurants and eating establishments covering 60+ cuisines.

EEO Statement

Houston City College does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity and expression, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation or veteran’s status. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies:

Sandra B. Jacobson, J.D., M.Ed., SHRM-SCP, Interim Director of EEO and Compliance & Title IX Coordinator

Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX

PO Box 667517

Houston TX, 77266

713 718.8271 or [e-mail]

HCC values its employees and their contributions, promotes opportunities for their professional growth and development, and provides a positive working and learning environment that encourages involvement, innovation, and creativity. Individuals with disabilities, who require special accommodations to interview, should contact [phone].