Equity-Focused Financial Aid Coach

Southern Arkansas University; Seattle, Northern (WA, KY); Hybrid; USD 62,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, retirement

Paid sick & vacation leave

Tuition waivers

PEBB Wellness Plan

EAP program

Job summary

North Seattle College is seeking a Program Specialist 3 - Financial Aid Coaching Specialist to help deliver equitable financial aid services. The role focuses on coaching students through the aid process, coordinating workforce funds, and ensuring compliance across programs.

The position requires a Bachelor's or an equivalent Associate's with experience, strong communication, and the ability to work in a diverse, collaborative environment. The role is governed by WFSE and offers strong benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited institution or an Associate's Degree with at least 2 years of higher education experience.
• Two years of full-time experience, or equivalent part-time experience, working in a Student Service Office at a college or university.
• Experience and ability to work in accordance with policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations.
• Experience working in a collaborative team environment with diverse employees and student/customer groups.
• Demonstrated effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Demonstrated intermediate skills in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook).
• Demonstrated ability to use computers for data entry, web applications, and troubleshooting basic computer issues.
• Commitment to serving a diverse population of students and a history of removing barriers for historically marginalized communities.

Responsibilities

• Advance equity, diversity, and inclusion by advocating for historically marginalized students and supporting policy and practice improvements.
• Coordinate disbursement of workforce program funds (Worker Retraining, WorkFirst, BFET, Opportunity Grant) totaling over $1.5 million annually.
• Manage financial aid application processes and requirements for Workforce Education students.
• Develop and implement procedures, policies, and quality assurance practices.
• Reconcile assigned program budgets and student-level expenditures monthly across multiple systems.
• Interpret and maintain compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Crosstrain staff and develop reports, training materials, and documentation.
• Advise students, faculty, staff, and the public on financial aid and program policies.
• Prepare documentation for state and federal audits.
• Participate in departmental meetings, trainings, and outreach events.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Collaborative teamwork

Data entry

Web applications

Troubleshooting basic computer issues

Diversity commitment

Education

Bachelor's Degree from accredited institution

Associate's Degree with at least 2 years of higher education experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

North Seattle College is seeking a Program Specialist 3 - Financial Aid Coaching Specialist to help deliver equitable financial aid services. The role focuses on coaching students through the aid process, coordinating workforce funds, and ensuring compliance across programs.

The position requires a Bachelor's or an equivalent Associate's with experience, strong communication, and the ability to work in a diverse, collaborative environment. The role is governed by WFSE and offers strong benefits.