Awards Coordinator

Socket.dev; North Lake (WI); On-site; USD 39,000 - 52,000; Full time

Job summary

Dallas College seeks an Awards Coordinator to oversee financial aid awards, verify eligibility, and ensure timely distribution of funds. You will work with students and families, applying federal, state, and institutional requirements. This role emphasizes analysis, compliance, advising, and collaboration to expand access to higher education.

The position supports a student-centered approach and cross-functional teamwork within the Financial Aid Department.

Qualifications

• Experience in financial aid counseling and packaging.
• Knowledge of federal financial aid programs.
• Ability to interpret and apply technology platforms supporting the student experience.
• Ability to work with diverse populations.
• Ability to balance analytical and compassionate approach.

Responsibilities

• Conducts needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine eligibility.
• Verifies student and parent application data per federal criteria.
• Determines types and amounts of financial aid through packaging per requirements.
• Monitors and adjusts awards as needed.
• Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents.
• Supports financial aid training and information workshops.

Skills

Analytical thinking

Strong communication

Customer service

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Student advising

Education

Associate degree or higher

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Financial aid software

Job description

Weekly Work Hours

40

Compensation Range

N06-PT

Hourly Rate

$33.10 Hourly

FLSA

United States of America (Non-Exempt)

Work Location

• All positions are considered on-site roles.
• After six months of employment, some positions may be eligible to apply for a hybrid work arrangement based on job responsibilities, operational needs, supervisor approval, and Dallas College policy.
• Academic (Faculty) positions require an on-campus presence, even when teaching online courses, in accordance with state law.

Position Type

Staff

Why this Role Matters

The Awards Coordinator plays a critical role in helping students access the financial resources they need to achieve their educational goals. By coordinating financial aid awards, determining eligibility, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements, this position empowers students to persist, complete their education, and improve their future.

The Impact of the Position

This role directly impacts student success by ensuring financial aid is awarded accurately, efficiently, and compassionately. The Awards Coordinator serves as a trusted resource for students and families navigating the financial aid process, provides guidance during times of financial hardship, and helps ensure Dallas College receives and distributes financial aid funding in a timely manner. Their work supports institutional compliance, operational excellence, and improved outcomes for thousands of students throughout the Dallas College community.

Why You Should Be Excited About this Opportunity

This is an opportunity to make a meaningful difference in students' lives every day. The role combines analytical problem-solving with a student-centered approach, allowing employees to use both technical expertise and compassion to support learners from diverse backgrounds. Candidates will gain valuable experience in financial aid administration, regulatory compliance, student advising, and cross-functional collaboration while contributing to initiatives that increase access to higher education and economic mobility.

What Makes Dallas College a Great Place to Work

Dallas College is one of the largest community college systems in Texas, serving more than three million students since 1965 across seven campuses in the Dallas-Fort Worth region. The college is committed to placing students at the center of everything it does while fostering a culture of opportunity, belonging, collaboration, and innovation. Employees have the chance to contribute to transformative work that impacts the community, supports workforce development, and creates pathways to economic opportunity.

Position Summary

Responsible for the coordination of awards programming and packaging for the Financial Aid Department. Assist students at Dallas College in all aspects of the financial aid process and help ensure the institution receives financial aid funds in a timely fashion.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the purpose of community colleges and the vision of Dallas College.

• Experience in operational planning, policy development, and outcome/needs assessment for financial aid processing and award packaging.

• Ability to interpret, understand and apply comprehensive knowledge of innovative technology platforms related to and in support of the holistic student experience.

• Strong knowledge of federal financial programs and supporting regulations.

• Ability to identify and address opportunities and challenges that arise as a result of Dallas College’s current transition.

• Ability to balance an analytical mind and a compassionate heart.

• Strong belief in the value of education coupled with the ability to manage structured regulatory requirements alongside the personal, human-centered experience.

• Possess a professional and collaborative demeanor.

• A personality that has the ability to address and resolve conflicts with integrity and compassion, and that can actively develop effective relationships at all levels.

• Ability to think critically by applying problem solving practices, acquiring relevant information, using technology and other resources appropriately.

• An understanding of contemporary issues in higher education.

• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with students/employees (whichever applicable) from the full range of diverse populations.

• Ability to identify, address, and collaborate with other team members on solutions to barriers preventing a significant portion of our population from having a job that pays a living wage.

• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively, verbally and in writing, complex ideas, and information to a variety of stakeholders/constituents within the Dallas College community network related to career and academic requirements.

• Ability to provide excellent customer service.

Physical Requirements

Normal physical job functions are performed within a standard office environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with physical challenges to perform the essential duties and responsibilities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher. Bachelor’s degree preferred. Official transcripts required.

• Two (2) years of experience in a higher education setting with demonstrated experience in financial aid directly related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging required.

• Ability to work extended hours beyond the regular 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. workday especially during heavy registration peak times including nights and weekends.

• A current and valid Texas driver's license is required.

• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred.

*** Will be subject to a criminal background check. Some positions may be subject to a fingerprint check. ***

Key Responsibilities

• Conducts needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine the relative eligibility of each financial aid applicant.

• Conducts verification of student and parent application data in compliance with federal criteria.

• Determines the types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state, and institutional requirements.

• Demonstrated success working with diverse communities.

• Monitors individual student awards.

• Resolves data conflicts and over awards.

• Utilizes professional judgment on an individual basis to adjust a student’s eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances in accordance with federal statutes.

• Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents regarding all aspects of the financial aid process. Make necessary referrals to other student service offices.

• Provides support to students experiencing family, personal or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services.

• Monitors and evaluates satisfactory academic progress of students.

• May adjudicate student appeals relating to academic progress.

• Supports financial aid training and information workshops, continuously incorporating changing regulations and procedures, workshop settings include but are limited to: counseling/advising sessions, college success classes, high school college nights, early awareness programs, at-risk youth