Financial Aid Specialist, Sr.

Lamar State College-Orange; Orange (TX); On-site; USD 40,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Lamar State College-Orange is seeking a Financial Aid Officer who will provide comprehensive guidance to students regarding federal and state financial aid. Responsibilities include monitoring awards, processing applications, and ensuring compliance with financial aid regulations.

The ideal candidate will have a high school diploma or equivalent, strong customer service skills, and experience with Microsoft Office applications. A degree is preferred, along with two years of relevant financial aid experience.

Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent required.
• Excellent customer service and communication skills are a must.
• Working knowledge in Microsoft Office applications needed.
• Good time management skills are essential.

Responsibilities

• Provide information and counseling on financial aid.
• Monitor individual student awards and resolve data conflicts.
• Process state waivers and exemptions.
• Ensure compliance with Satisfactory Academic Progress policies.

Skills

Customer service skills

Communications skills

Microsoft Office applications

Time management skills

Education

H.S. diploma or equivalent

Associate degree or higher (preferred)

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft PowerPoint

Ellucian Banner

Job description

EEO Statement

LSCO 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.

Job Summary

This position reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid. Duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to: Provides information and counseling to students regarding various types of Federal and State financial aid, as well as Scholarships. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards. Responsible for processing state waivers and exemptions, as well as maintaining knowledge of current regulations and procedures. Requests additional documents; verifies information; awards aid; processes award or denial letters and checks for satisfactory academic progress. Oversees the federal verification and subsequent ISIR review process, as well as monitoring/processing suspense files. Responsible for ensuring Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policies and regulations are being met; this includes running SAP reports, manually calculating/reviewing SAP on student accounts, reviewing and making appeal decisions, check to see if students meet academic plans, etc. Processes originations and disbursements of students receiving Federal financial aid. Manages the administrative responsibilities of the Federal and State Work Study Programs. Responsible for community outreach and updates materials for in-office and public consumption. Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided.

Other Job Functions

Perform other appropriate duties as may be determined by the Director or Assistant Director.

Qualifications / Experience

• H.S. diploma or equivalent required. Associate degree or higher preferred.
• Must possess excellent customer service and communication skills.
• Working knowledge in Microsoft Office applications, office administrative procedures, desktop and laptop computers, copiers, scanners, and normal office equipment.
• Possess good time management skills.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of financial aid experience or work directly related to student services.
• Experience with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and Texas Application for State Financial Assistance (TASFA).
• Knowledge of the Federal Verification Process.
• Experience with Ellucian Banner, NSLDS, COD, and FAA Access.

Skills / Abilities

• Experience in Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Able to work independently, but also has the ability to function effectively as a team member.
• Able to deal with stress and schedule of peak seasonal workload.
• Able to work some nights and weekends.

LSCO 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.