Financial Aid Specialist (Part-Time)

Lamar Institute of Technology; Beaumont (TX); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamar Institute of Technology in Beaumont, TX, is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to deliver exceptional customer service while assisting with grant, loan, scholarship, and employment programs. You will act as an intermediary between student applicants and state and federal financial aid agencies to ensure compliance and timely awarding of aid.

This non-exempt position supports the Student Financial Aid office operations, performing clerical tasks, student counseling duties, and data

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two year’s previous office experience.
• Experience in a financial aid program or related environment. Successful candidates should have a demonstrated record of positive customer-oriented service experience.
• Selection and/or continued employment requires acceptable financial standing within the academic system and the ability to secure and retain NSLDS access.

Responsibilities

• Assist applicants throughout the financial aid process.
• Provide individual assistance to ensure aid is awarded properly and in a timely manner.
• Responsible for customer service interaction, in person and by telephone providing students and parents with information and financial aid assistance.
• Verify completion and accuracy of student information by reviewing data via the Financial Aid Management system (FAM).
• Perform verification functions by analyzing required tax forms and other financial documents and comparing data to federal records.
• Facilitate corrections to student records through DOE electronic procedures.
• Act as a liaison between students/parents and lending institutions, other schools, and state/federal agencies.
• Present financial aid workshops and seminars for LIT students and external groups.
• Perform clerical functions associated with processing student data records, maintaining files, assisting with scholarships and processing mail.
• Demonstrate knowledge of FERPA regulations when dealing with students and families.
• Deliver exceptional customer service at all times.

Skills

Customer service

Data entry

Communication skills

Office software

NSLDS access

Education

Associate’s degree

Tools

Banner Software Systems

Oracle

SQL

Microsoft Office

Job description

Equal Opportunity & Security Report

• Lamar Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including and as it pertains to pregnancy and wages), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, and/or retaliation.
• LIT's Annual Security Report is provided in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (20 USC § 1092(f), 34 CFR 668.46). This report contains information regarding campus safety and security including topics such as: campus law enforcement authority; crime reporting policies; campus alerts (Timely Warnings and Emergency Notifications); programs to prevent dating violence, domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking; the procedures the Institute will follow when one of these crimes is reported; and other matters of importance related to security on campus. The report also contains information about crime statistics for the three most recent calendar years concerning reported crimes that occurred on campus; in non-campus buildings or property owned or controlled by the Institute or a recognized student organization; and on public property within, or immediately adjacent to and accessible from, the campus. If you would like to receive a paper copy of the Annual Security Report, you can stop by Lamar Institute of Technology, Eagles' Nest building at 855 East Lavaca, Beaumont, TX, 77705, or you can request that a copy be mailed to you by calling 409-247-4838 or emailing [e-mail].
• If you have questions, please email the Human Resources department at [e-mail] or call 409-981-6824.

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, delivering exceptional customer service while performing general administrative duties associated with providing assistance through numerous grant, loan, scholarship, and employment programs. Acts as an intermediary between student applicants and various state and federal financial aid agencies to ensure compliance with necessary regulations while processing and awarding financial assistance. Provides administrative support related to the operations of the Student Financial Aid office by performing various customer service, clerical, and student counseling duties. This is a non-exempt position.

Duties / Responsibilities

• Assist applicants throughout the financial aid process.
• Provide individual assistance when necessary to ensure aid is awarded properly and in a timely manner.
• Responsible for customer service interaction, in person and by telephone providing students and parents with general information and specific financial aid assistance.
• Verify completion and accuracy of student information by reviewing and posting required data via the document-tracking element of the Financial Aid Management system (FAM).
• Perform necessary verification functions by analyzing required tax forms and other financial documents, and comparing data to the students’ federal records.
• Facilitate needed corrections to student records through Department of Education electronic procedures.
• Act as a liaison between students/parents and lending institutions, other schools, and state and federal agencies.
• Serve as a representative to the community by presenting financial aid workshops and seminars for LIT students as well as various external groups and organizations.
• Perform clerical functions associated with processing student data records, communicating with students, maintaining student files, assisting with scholarships and processing mail.
• Demonstrate knowledge of FERPA regulations when dealing with students and their families.
• Deliver exceptional customer service at all times.

Minimum / Preferred Qualifications

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• High school diploma or equivalent
• Two year’s previous office experience
• Experience in a financial aid program or related environment. Successful candidates should have a demonstrated record of positive customer-oriented service experience. Word processing, spreadsheet programs and Internet capabilities required.
• Selection and/or continued employment requires acceptable financial standing within the academic system and the ability to secure and retain full access to the National Student Loan Database system (NSLDS).

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree, diploma or equivalent from a college, technical, or business school.
• Experience with Banner Software Systems computer modules including Financial Aid, Student and or Finance preferred. Oracle platform or SQL programming a plus.
• Exceptional Customer Service skills including telephone etiquette.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Work accurately and pay close attention to details.
• Apply critical thinking skills.
• Perform multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Analyze data, work under pressure, solve problems, accept and implement change.

Supplemental Information

Physical Requirements

This position requires the ability to: remain in a stationary position for most of the time; occasionally move about inside an office to access documents, office equipment, etc.; constantly operate a computer or other office equipment, such as a printer or copy machine.

• Lamar Institute of Technology is an E-Verify Employer.
• This position is security-sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code §51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information. Click here for the Security Sensitive Release Form.