Financial Aid Specialist

CT State Community College; Middletown (CT); Hybrid; USD 55,000 - 68,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous leave policies

Retirement plan options

Health insurance choices

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

CT State Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to support the Financial Aid Office with processing and reviewing financial aid paperwork, assisting students and families with FAFSA, packaging, and eligibility in a highly automated environment. On-site work at the Middlesex campus in Middletown, CT, is required.

You will handle inquiries, provide information on aid eligibility, and help maintain compliance with federal and state regulations while delivering high-quality student

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field with 1+ years of related experience in financial aid in higher education or related field.
• Strong knowledge of federal/state financial aid rules and regulations.
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
• Ability to relate to students, families, and college staff; able to multitask in a fast-paced environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams).

Responsibilities

• Maintains front counter for student-facing, in-person activities.
• Provides excellent service to students, families, and college community.
• Assists students with FAFSA applications and financial aid packaging.
• Responds to inquiries via multiple channels and follows up as needed.
• Facilitates FAFSA workshops and financial literacy information sessions.
• Reviews and processes student loan requests in line with regulations.
• Maintains alpha caseload to ensure necessary documents are received.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Organizational skills

Analytical skills

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education / Business Administration / Human Services or related field

Tools

Banner

Microsoft Office

Job description

About CT State

Connecticut State Community College (CT State)was launched on July 1, 2023, through the consolidation of Connecticut’s 12 community colleges. With campuses and satellite locations statewide, CT State serves all 169 towns and neighboring states. As the largest community college in New England, CT State is committed to providing high-quality, affordable, and accessible education that supports students’ academic, career, and personal success.

For more information about CT State Community College and the campus please visit Home - CT State

Position Details

Posted: September 29, 2026

Level: Community College Professional 15, 12-month, tenure track position

Employment Type: Standard

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Anticipated Start Date: December 2026

Work Location: CT State CC (Middlesex campus,100 Training Hill Road, Middletown, CT 06457)

Work Modality: On-site;Position is not remote

Closing Date: Open until filled, with priority consideration given to applicants who submit materials by October 21, 2026.

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist provides operational support to the Financial Aid Office, with a focus on assisting with the review and processing of financial aid paperwork and providing information to a variety of individuals regarding financial aid, payment plans, and student aid eligibility. The incumbent will assist with the accurate processing of all financial aid application and student loan materials within a highly automated environment. The Financial Aid Specialist provides student service in person and other communication channels to assist with the financial aid process for students and families.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Under the direction of the Campus Supervisor for Financial Aid Services, the Financial Aid Specialist is responsible forproviding operational support to the Financial Aid Office through effective performance in these essential duties:

• Maintains the front counter for all student-facing, in-person activities.
• Provides excellent service to students, their families, outside agency personnel, and members of the college community.
• Assists students with the completion of all aspects of the application for financial aid, ensuring completion through the receipt of a financial aid package.
• Responds promptly to student inquiries through various communication channels. Additionally, makes outgoing communication efforts.
• Facilitates in-person and online workshops to assist with completing the FAFSA.
• Provides information on financial literacy and other associated topics.
• Counsels and assists prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the FAFSA application process and eligibility for financial aid.
• Provides information on eligibility requirements, application processes and procedures, status of financial aid application and award, and required additional documentation as needed. Determines if the student’s inquiry requires further follow-up and directs the inquiry to the appropriate source for resolution, as necessary.
• Prepares or assists in the review of student aid applications, including verification, C-flags, and rejects. This includes the review of all documentation needed to complete a student’s file for packaging.
• Responsible for the quality assurance and document linking within the imaging system.
• Monitors the academic performance of student aid recipients by the Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations.
• Maintains current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Reviews and processes student loan requests according to federal law and regulations.
• Maintains an alpha caseload to ensure necessary documents are received and conflicting information is resolved to ensure aid can be disbursed.
• Runs reports as needed.
• Reads and interprets federal and state financial aid regulations and guidance.
• Adheres to all office policies and procedures.
• Interacts favorably with any third-party vendors.
• Works with grant, loan, and reporting functions within all federal systems, including COD, CPS, and NSLDS, as needed.
• Communicates effectively with supervisor and other office staff to ensure successful departmental operations.
• Performs other duties and tasks to support the overall success of the division.
• May involve occasional evening or weekend work.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Attendance and participation at convocation and commencement ceremonies
• Service on assigned committees and task forces
• Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings which may occur during evenings and weekends.

This posting outlines qualifications, experience, and skills but is not limited to the full specifications in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in a related field such as Higher Education, Business Administration, Human Services, or an appropriately related field together with one (1) or more years of related experience in financial aid in higher education or related field; or a combination of education, training and experience which would lead to the competencies required for successful performance of the position’s essential duties.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to relate favorably to students, parents, and college staff.
• Knowledge of state and federal financial aid rules and regulations.
• Strong organization and analytical skills.
• The ability to multitask with complex subject matter in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

Preferred Qualifications

• Two (2) or more years of financial aid experience, preferably in a community college setting.
• Expertise in student information systems, preferably Banner.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary $61,514 approximate annual

CT State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave policies
• Multiple retirement plan options
• Comprehensive health insurance choices
• Supplemental benefits for retirement and family protection
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)

For more information, visit: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.

Selection Process

After the closing date, applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be those who best meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and who submitted all required materials by the deadline.

The selection process may include interviews and practical exercises (e.g., written, technical, or simulation exercises). Finalists will be recommended to the Hiring Manager for final selection.

Background Screening

Employment offers are contingent upon:

• Proof of eligibility to work under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
• Successful completion of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification, reference checks, criminal history, and, when applicable, credit or driving history checks

CT State is committed to maintaining a safe campus community.

Equity Statement

Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and/or trafficking or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bonafide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups.

For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability, and Title IX policies/procedures, contact: Nicholas D'Agostino, Director of Equity and Civil Rights, CT State Community College, 185 Main Street, New Britain, CT 06051, 860-612-7075 or [e-mail].

CSCC IS AN AFFIRMATIVE ACTION/EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER.