Financial Aid Specialist

Virginia-Community-College-System; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 43,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

Reynolds Community College in Virginia's capital region is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to deliver exceptional frontline service to students, alumni, and staff, guiding them through aid options and enrollment steps. The role requires knowledge of federal/state aid rules, strong communication, and the ability to work independently or with a team.

Some travel between campus locations may be required. The position offers a $43,000–$45,000 salary, full-time, with a commitment to inclusive,

Qualifications

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• General understanding of student needs and challenges, including financial barriers that may affect enrollment and academic success.
• Ability to understand and follow established financial aid policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ability to assist students and families in understanding financial aid options, application processes, eligibility requirements, and available resources.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service by responding to students, families, and other constituents in a professional, courteous, timely, and supportive manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial aid information clearly and effectively to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team while establishing positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Responsibilities

• The Financial Aid Specialist provides exceptional frontline customer service to prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the general public by providing information, assistance, and guidance regarding financial aid and college enrollment processes.
• May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

Skills

Financial aid regulations

Understand student needs

Follow policies

Explain aid options

Customer service

Strong communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Related field coursework

Counseling background

Job description

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth's Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services (DARS), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired (DBVI). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Posting Summary

Working Title

Role Title

Role Code

Role Code 29143-SW

FLSA

FLSA Nonexempt

Pay Band

Pay Band 03

Position Number

Position Number 28300033

Agency

Agency J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College

Division

Division J. Sargeant Reynolds Community College (Div)

Work Location

Hiring Range

Hiring Range $43,000 - $45,000

Emergency/Essential Personnel No

EEO Category

Full Time or Part Time

Full Time or Part Time Full Time

Does this position have telework options? -Telework options are subject to change based on business needs-

Does this position have a bilingual or multilingual skill requirement or preference?

Work Schedule

As scheduled by the supervisor.

Sensitive Position

Sensitive Position No

Job Description

Reynolds is one of the largest community colleges in Virginia and serves Virginia’s capital city and five nearby counties. Annually, our four campus sites serve approximately 13,000 credit students and provide training for 7,400 students through the Community College Workforce Alliance. Reynolds is committed to hiring and retaining a racially diverse, culturally competent staff at all levels of the organization who reflect the demographics of our students. We also believe in providing an ongoing investment in our faculty and staff to deepen their skills and competencies to serve the full range of our student population.

The Financial Aid Specialist provides exceptional frontline customer service to prospective and current students, alumni, faculty, staff, and the general public by providing information, assistance, and guidance regarding financial aid and college enrollment processes.

Special Assignments

May be required to perform other duties as assigned. May be required to assist the agency or state government generally in the event of an emergency declaration by the Governor.

KSA's/Required Qualifications

• Working knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• General understanding of student needs and challenges, including financial barriers that may affect enrollment and academic success.
• Ability to understand and follow established financial aid policies, procedures, and guidelines.
• Ability to assist students and families in understanding financial aid options, application processes, eligibility requirements, and available resources.
• Demonstrated ability to provide excellent customer service by responding to students, families, and other constituents in a professional, courteous, timely, and supportive manner.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to explain financial aid information clearly and effectively to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team while establishing positive working relationships with students, faculty, staff, and administrators.

Additional Considerations

Preferred Qualifications

• Degree from an accredited college or university with coursework in counseling, education, student services, or a related field.
• Experience providing guidance and assistance to individuals in an advisory or student support capacity.
• Experience working in a college or higher education environment.

Operation of a State Vehicle

Operation of a State Vehicle No

Supervises Employees No

Required Travel

As needed between campus locations, and to college events.

Posting Number

Posting Number CLS_4834P

Recruitment Type

Recruitment Type General Public - G

Number of Vacancies

Number of Vacancies 1

Position End Date (if temporary)

Job Open Date

Job Open Date 10/29/2026

Job Close Date

Job Close Date 11/15/2026

Open Until Filled Yes

Agency Website

Agency Website www.reynolds.edu

Contact Name

Email

Email [e-mail]

Phone Number

Special Instructions to Applicants

In support of the Commonwealth’s commitment to inclusion, we are encouraging individuals with disabilities to apply through the Commonwealth’s Alternative Hiring Process. To be considered for this opportunity, applicants will need to provide their AHP Letter (formerly called a Certificate of Disability) provided by the Department for Aging & Rehabilitative Services ( DARS ), or the Department for the Blind & Vision Impaired ( DBVI ). Service-Connected Veterans may also apply via the AHP if they also provide an AHP Letter. To request an AHP Letter, use this link: https://www.dars.virginia.gov/drs/cpid/PWContact.aspx or call DARS at 800-552-5019, or DBVI at 800-622-2155

Additional Information

The selected candidate’s offer is contingent upon the successful completion of a criminal background investigation, which may include: fingerprint checks, local agency checks, employment verification, verification of education, credit checks (relevant to employment). Additionally, selected candidates may be required to complete the Commonwealth’s Statement of Economic Interest. For more information, please follow this link: http://ethics.dls.virginia.gov/

EEO Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, political affiliation, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or other non-merit factors.

ADA Statement

The Virginia Community College System ( VCCS ) is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and complies with the Americans with Disabilities Acts ( ADA and ADAAA ), to provide, reasonable accommodation to applicants in need of access to the application, interviewing, and selection processes when requested.

E-Verify Statement

VCCSuses E-Verify to check employee eligibility to work in the United States. You will be required to complete an I-9 form and provide documentation of your identity for employment purposes.

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Required Documents

• Resume
• Cover Letter/Letter of Application

Optional Documents

• Other Document
• Certificate
• Alternative Hiring Process Letter
• SF-50 (Documentation of involuntary separation from Federal Agency)