Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Sowela Technical Community College; Lafayette (LA); On-site; USD 49,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

South Louisiana Community College in Lafayette, LA is seeking a Financial Aid Program Specialist to manage federal Title IV programs, state aid and workforce education grants, including origination, disbursement and reconciliation, and to monitor awards for eligible students.

In coordination with the Workforce and Economic Development team, you will administer VA education benefits, prepare mandated reports (FISAP, performance data, expenditure reports), and interface with COD, LOSFA and Banner

Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a higher education financial aid office; demonstrated experience in counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging.
• Experience with Workforce funding programs and Veteran Benefits administration.
• Experience with COD, NSLDS, and Banner Financial Aid Management System, or other related programs.

Responsibilities

• Executes the processing and lifecycle management of federal Title IV aid programs, e.g. Workforce Pell Grant and Louisiana state aid programs, e.g. M.J. Foster Promise, including origination, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• Monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding to qualifying students.
• Submits required data to the COD system and ensures accurate reporting and compliance.
• Manages packaging and tracking of workforce grants in the Banner Financial Aid Management System.
• Reconciles federal and state funding accounts, and coordinates with LOSFA and COD to resolve discrepancies.
• Administers VA education benefits in coordination with the VA official, including eligibility verification and compliance with benefit programs.
• Develops and submits federally and state-mandated program reports (FISAP, state data, etc.).
• Interacts with external agencies to resolve eligibility and compliance issues and maintains proper fund draw-downs.
• Maintains knowledge of laws and guidelines regarding federal and state aid programs.

Skills

Financial aid experience

Customer service

Time management

Tools

Banner Financial Aid Management System

COD system

NSLDS

Job description

Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs Job no: 495671 Closes: 8/21/2026 4:55:00 AM Work Type: Staff Full-Time Locations: Lafayette, LA Categories: Financial Aid

College:South Louisiana Community College

Department:Academic & Student Affairs

Sub department:Financial Aid

Type of Appointment:Unclassified - Administrative/Staff

Salary:$49,000.00 - $55,700.00

Duties and Responsibilities

Work Habits: 40%

• Executes the technical processing and lifecycle management of federal Title IV aid programs, e.g. Workforce Pell Grant and Louisiana state aid programs, e.g. M.J. Foster Promise, including origination, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• In coordination with the Workforce and Economic Development department, monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding to qualifying students.
• Serves as an institutional subject matter expert for federal and state compliance reporting, including submission of required data to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
• Manages the technical packaging, awarding, and tracking of workforce education grants funded through the Banner Financial Aid Management System. Confirm attendance, enrollment, course data, charges, and eligibility for WORKFORCE students receiving various funding sources.
• Conducts detailed reconciliation of federal and state funding accounts in coordination with Student Accounts, ensuring fiscal accuracy of disbursements and resolving discrepancies between institutional records, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
• Administers Veteran (VA) education benefits in coordination with the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, including eligibility verification and compliance with Chapter 30, 33, and 35 benefit programs.
• Develops and submits federally and state-mandated program reports (e.g., Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), state grant performance data, and workforce grant expenditure reports. Advanced data analysis and regulatory knowledge required.
• Interfaces directly with external state agencies (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance), Common Origination and Disbursement systems (Department of Education), and Enrollment Manager software (Veteran Affairs) to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues, operating with a higher degree of regulatory authority and inter-agency coordination.
• Monitors dedicated workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditure purposes, coordinating with program managers and Student Accounts to ensure proper draw-down of state and federal funds.
• Maintain functional knowledge and ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines regarding federal and state aid programs.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Behavioral Standards: 20%

• Make recommendations regarding operations, policies, and processes to achieve continual improvement and efficiency.
• Demonstrate an elevated level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.

Institutional Support: 20%

• Collaborate with institution VA Primary contact, to maintain and remain abreast of all VA policies and procedures.
• Provide updates to the Associate Director Programs and Compliance on the status of outstanding student applications and awards.
• Work with program managers concerning availability of funding resources and student enrollment.

Team Relations: 20%

• Possess the ability and endurance necessary to work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Predictable and reliable attendance is required to provide consistency and continuity of the business services provided to the college.
• Perform other duties that will assist in promoting the college within the community.

Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Three years of experience in a higher education financial aid office; Demonstrated experience in a higher education financial aid related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Workforce funding programs and Veteran Benefits administration.
• Experience working within Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Banner Financial Aid Management System, or other related programs.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Soft Skills: Strong people skills. Excellent customer service skills, along with the ability to interact with a diverse population.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Must be able to demonstrate the proven abilities of intellectual reasoning, power of persuasion, and consistent dedication to the position.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: High Skills: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word). Ability to learn to operate College-specific software and applications.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Criminal Background Clearance. Valid Driver’s License.
• Other Qualifications: Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines. Must be able to work in a fast‑paced environment with a demonstrated ability to multi‑task.

Benefits

As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, South Louisiana Community College has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort and length of employment.

Passing pre‑employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment. South Louisiana Community College is an equal opportunity/equal access employer. South Louisiana Community College is a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.