Financial Services Associate

Ember Education; Lancaster (CA); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

Ember Education is seeking a Financial Services Associate to meet with applicants and students to determine eligibility for federal financial aid programs by calculating anticipated awards for Pell, SEOG, Stafford/Direct and other Title IV and linked programs. The SFA processes and awards aid for each academic year and enters data into the Student Information System.

The role emphasizes ethics in counseling and requires strong communication, accuracy, and adherence to regulations, with a focus

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree preferred; Associate Degree required.
• Must qualify for NSLDS access.
• Two plus years of related financial advising and/or training experience preferred.
• PC skills in Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and database software.
• Experience with Student Financial Aid software applications is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to multi-task.

Responsibilities

• Provide an overview of the Financial Aid process and programs available to qualifying students.
• Perform estimates and calculations as it relates to Tuition and Financial Aid based on a student’s unique eligibility.
• Counsel students regarding financial aid paperwork, award information, and options for covering educational expenses.
• Create and schedule funding plans for enrolled students.
• Evaluate all submitted Financial Aid documentation and determine additional requirements.
• Deliver the highest level of service and experience to students and co-workers while maintaining performance metrics.
• Track students’ progress and review changes to Financial Aid eligibility throughout the program.
• Perform required document tracking for drops, terminations, and graduates, including R2T4, PWD, and loan exit materials.
• Enhance the financial literacy of students and graduates to ensure professional success.
• Uphold Title IV, state, military, VA, and institutional knowledge and compliance.

Skills

Microsoft Office

NSLDS access

Financial advising

Multi-tasking

Communication skills

Self-starter

Student Financial Aid software

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Office suite

Internet applications

Database software

Job description

• Pay or shift range: $20 USD to $28 USD. The estimated range is the budgeted amount for this position.

Description

Summary: The Financial Services Associate meets with applicants and students regarding their eligibility for federal financial aid programs by calculating anticipated awards in PELL, SEOG, Stafford/Direct and supplementary loans, and other Title IV and non-Title IV programs. The SFA packages and awards all Title IV and non-Title IV aid for each academic year and enters this in the Student Information Systems as required. All work is performed within the established governmental regulations and institutional procedures. A high level of ethics is required in the counseling of students.

Compensation: The starting pay range for this position is $20.00 - $28.00 per hour.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Provide an overview of the Financial Aid process and programs available to qualifying students.
• Perform estimates and calculations as it relates to Tuition and Financial Aid based on a student’s unique eligibility.
• Counsel students regarding financial aid paperwork, award information, and options for covering educational expenses.
• Create and schedule funding plans for enrolled students.
• Evaluate all submitted Financial Aid documentation and determine additional requirements.
• Deliver the highest level of service and experience to students and co-workers while maintaining performance metrics.
• Track students’ progress and review changes to Financial Aid eligibility throughout the program.
• Perform required document tracking for drops, terminations, and graduates, including R2T4, PWD, and loan exit materials.
• Enhance the financial literacy of students and graduates to ensure professional success.
• Uphold Title IV, state, military, VA, and institutional knowledge and compliance.

Supervisory Responsibilities: This job has no supervisory responsibilities.

Competency: To perform the job successfully, an individual should demonstrate the following competencies:

Core Competencies:

• Adaptability– Responds to change witha willingnessand ability to learn new ways of working.Adaptsapproachanddemeanorin real time to match the shifting demands of different situations.
• Communication– Develops and delivers communication that conveys a clear understanding of the unique needs of different audiences. Listens to others and allows them to make their point.
• Integrity & Ethics– Demonstrates personal integrity; serves as a positive example of why others should trust the motives of the organization; views self as a reflection of the organization by following through on commitments and accepting ownership of mistakes; treats people with respect; keeps commitments; inspires the trust of others and upholds organizational values.
• Organization Support– Supportsorganizationsgoals and values.Is keenly aware of thetime framein which tasks or projectsneedsto be done; accepts and mirrors the level of urgency conveyed by the manager or customer being served; putsfirst priorityon the needs of the organization or the needs of its customers.Fosters collaboration and teamwork across the Institution.
• Professionalism– Approachesotherin a tactful manner; reacts well under pressure; treats others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or position; accepts responsibility forownactions; follow through on commitments.
• Content Specific Knowledge: Understands the fundamentals, skills, methods, and procedures within their area of expertise and instructional practice.
• Customer Focus: Personally demonstrates that external or internal customers are a high priority; identifies customer needs and expectations and responds to them in a timely and effective manner; anticipates and prevents delays or other things that can adversely affect the customer; keeps customers informed about the status of pending actions and inquires about customer satisfaction with products or services.
• Productivity: Meets or exceeds productivity standards that have been established for organizational level or position; has successfully combined skills, ability, and effort level to ensure that expectations related to results/output are achieved.
• Quality of Work: Has established a track record of producing work that is highly accurate, demonstrates attention to detail, and reflects well on the organization; is personally committed to high-quality work and encourages others to have similar standards.

Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. Below are the minimum requirements of the education, experience, knowledge, and skills required to competently perform in this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Education and/or Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree preferred, Associate Degree required.
• Must qualify for Professional Access to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS).
• Two plus years of related financial advising and/or training experience preferred.
• PC skills in Microsoft Office, Internet applications, and database software.
• Experience with Student Financial Aid software applications is a plus.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must be a self-starter with the ability to multi-task.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employeeis regularly required tosit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; talk and hear.The employee isfrequentlyrequired to reach with hands and arms.The employeeis occasionally required tostand; walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.The employee mustfrequentlylift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.

Work Environment: The work environment characteristics described here are representative of an office environment with cubicles. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

All qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment. To ensure the safety and integrity of our operations, it is imperative that a review of all applicants' criminal history is conducted. Failure to do so poses a significant risk to the Employer, potentially compromising both business operations and the organization's reputation.

As part of our standard hiring process, all candidates offered a position at San Joaquin Valley College Inc. will undergo a thorough background screening. This includes education verification, county and national criminal background checks, a motor vehicle report, and social security number trace/verification along with an address history search. Depending on the specific position, additional requirements may apply, such as drug testing, a Fraud and Abuse Control Information System check, and verification for access to the National Student Loan Database System. Certain roles may also require ongoing monitoring of these records.

Required: Associate's or better.

Preferred: Two plus years of related financial advising and/or training experience preferred.

Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.