Financial Aid Associate

Flathead Valley Community College; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 25,000 - 29,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Vision & Dental insurance

Vacation up to 15 days

12 sick days

12 holidays

403(b) retirement match up to 7%

Tuition waiver benefits for you and/or

Job summary

Flathead Valley Community College in Kalispell, MT seeks a Financial Aid Associate to support students through the financial aid process, from application to disbursement. You will act as primary contact for aid services, assist with FAFSA/Veteran programs, and ensure accurate documentation and data entry.

The role demands strong customer service, teamwork, and adherence to federal and institutional regulations, with opportunities for professional development and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree AND two years of financial/administrative work experience; or
• High school degree or equivalent and four years of financial/administrative work experience; or
• An equivalent combination of higher education courses and financial/administrative work experience.

Responsibilities

• Assists students, parents and families as the primary point of contact for financial aid services.
• Prepares, reviews and evaluates funding packages and related documents for completeness and accuracy.
• Delivers quality customer service and coordinates with campus offices to support student success.
• Maintains confidential data and complies with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Interprets and stays current on FVCC policies and procedures.

Skills

Customer service

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Confidential data handling

Education

Associate degree or higher or equivalent

Two years financial/administrative experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

FVCC information systems

Job description

Job Details

Job Location: KALISPELL, MT 59901

Position Type: Full Time

Education Level: Education/Work Experience

Salary Range: $18.00 - $21.00 Hourly

Job Category: Professional

DEPARTMENT:

Financial Aid

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Professional 4. $18.00 - $21.00 hourly. Salary depends on education and experience. Full-time, 12-mos., benefit eligible.

Unlock Exceptional Benefits at FVCC (Worth ~$25K)!

• You’ll receive generous employer contributions towards Health/Vision & Dental, up to 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 12 holidays.
• Build your future with the Montana Public Employee Retirement System and a 403(b) match up to 7%.
• Public Loan Forgiveness plus invest in your continued education when you explore Tuition Waiver benefits for you and your dependents!

FLSA: Non-exempt

CLOSING DATE: Open Until Filled

SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Associate supports the educational goals of students that range from first-generation college students to non-traditional students through the financial aid application, packaging, and disbursement process.

Essential duties

• Assists students, parents and families as the primary point of contact for financial aid services.
• Provides support to students in the completion of FAFSA or veteran education benefits programs, eligibility records, and supporting documentation.
• Prepares, reviews and evaluates funding packages and related documents to ensure completeness, accuracy, and fulfillment of requirements prior to processing.
• Assists veterans benefits School Certifying Official(s) in preparing and processing veteran education benefits programs.
• Delivers quality customer service, refers students to appropriate services, and provides resolutions to customers in a professional manner.
• Collaborates with other campus offices, including Admissions and Registration, Academic Advising, Business Office, and Human Resources to ensure coordinated delivery of student success support.
• Monitors required document status of financial aid applicants and reviews form submissions for completeness. Prepares submitted documentation for review and processing by advisors and Director.
• Utilizes FVCC’s student and financial aid information systems, websites, and technologies to perform administrative duties, including accurate data input into information systems. Updates information according to policy and regulations and maintains accurate records to ensure compliance.
• Maintains confidential data, files and reports.
• Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations
• Remains current in practices, trends and research related to areas of assignment
• Attends related training, workshops, and professional development.
• Cross trains to perform other departmental and team functions; backfills for staff as needed.
• Actively participates in the development of a climate that promotes and supports innovation and efforts to continuously improve services to students, faculty, and the College.
• Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships.
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality of students in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Advances the mission of FVCC by serving on or convening committees and contributing to the community in college-related activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Reports to the Financial Aid Director.

minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree AND two years of financial/administrative work experience;
• High school degree or equivalent and four years or financial/administrative work experience;
• An equivalent combination of higher education courses and financial/administrative work experience.

PREFERRED Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working with financial aid programs and software.
• Experience working in higher education or public organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability and willingness to provide quality customer service experience.
• Ability to be a contributing member in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to follow financial aid federal, state and institutional regulations, policy and procedures.
• Ability to be adaptive in a continuously changing and fast paced environment.
• Skill and ability to operate a variety of computer applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office and information systems.
• Skill with general office practices and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently perform a variety of complex tasks.
• Ability to explain complex processes to a variety of people.
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC.
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ambassador for the College by interacting appropriately with the college community and community.
• Ability to maintain effective and positive professional relationships.
• Ability to follow and issue directions.
• Demonstrated communication, technology, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds.
• Ability to intermittently work non-traditional schedules including evenings, weekends, etc.
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels.
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency.
• Must not be in default on a Title IV federal student loan or in a grant overpayment with the Department of Education.
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry. Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: FVCC is an equal opportunity employer. It is FVCC's policy that all individuals are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran’s status, service in the uniformed services as defined by state and federal law, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry except as authorized by law. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs, as required by federal and state laws.

FVCC BOARD POLICY: The FVCC Board Policy Manual is available to review at https://www.fvcc.edu/about/board-administration/board-of-trustees/board-policies

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES: FVCC provides reasonable accommodations upon request to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment including the application and selection process. No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE ACT: Preference applies in hiring and provides a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans. Veterans’ Preference laws do not, however, guarantee Veterans a job, nor do they give Veterans’ preference in internal actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment, and reinstatement. Applying for a preference is voluntary and that all information related to a preference is confidential and used only during the hiring process; the information will be maintained in a separate confidential file. To claim Veterans' Preference, you must complete the Veterans' Preference Form (form is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and email it along with document(s) that verify your eligibility for employment preference to [e-mail]. Claims for Veterans' preference must be received by Human Resources prior to position closing date.

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION: Based on the Windfall Elimination Provision, FVCC employment may not be covered by Social Security. To learn more about the Windfall Elimination Provision click https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.