Sr Financial Aid Specialist

Apscareerportal; Independence (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Independence Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to assist in packaging and administering all financial aid awards, including Federal Student aid, institutional aid, Foundation aid, Kansas state aid, and institutional scholarships.

The role requires maintaining in-depth knowledge of Title IV regulations to ensure accurate FAFSA verification processing and other financial aid-related processes. Strong customer service and attention to detail are essential.

Qualifications

• Associate degree required; bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, student affairs or related field preferred.
• Three years’ experience administering federal, state, and institutional aid and scholarships.
• One year’s experience in an educational setting preferred.
• Through knowledge of Title IV regulations and FAFSA processing.

Responsibilities

• Oversee packaging, awarding and disbursement of Title IV aid.
• Ensure compliance with NSLDS, COD and ED regulations.
• Process work-study, student inquiries, data setup and reports.
• Reconcile Title IV programs and manage scholarship accounts.
• Assist in origination and disbursement with DOE requirements.

Skills

Financial aid knowledge

Student counseling

Customer service

Attention to detail

Student information systems

Communication skills

Education

Associate degree

Bachelor’s degree preferred

Tools

Banner

Colleague/Banner

Job description

Financial Aid Specialist

Independence Community College (ICC) is small, rural, residential community college in southeast Kansas offering a wide variety of academic programs while promoting culture enrichment and economic development in our surrounding communities. Through our programs, we are committed and qualified to provide academic experience that prepares students with the practical skills and knowledge to lead in the global 21st century workforce. ICC is dedicated to continuous quality improvement through the Standard Pathway accreditation process with the Higher Learning Commission and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Independence Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to assist in packaging and administering all financial aid awards, including Federal Student aid, institutional aid, Foundation aid, Kansas state aid, and institutional scholarships.

The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for maintaining in-depth knowledge of Title IV financial aid regulations to ensure the accurate and timely administration of FAFSA verification processing and other financial aid-related processes.

Primary Duties

• Manage and process the Financial Aid Operations of Packaging, Awarding and Disbursement of Title IV (Federal Financial Aid).
• Ensure compliance with the National Student Loan Data Service (NSLDS), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and other Department of Education Federal Regulations.
• Process and manage student work-study, student inquiries, computer data setup and retrieval, and federal and state reports.
• Reconciliation of accounts including those of Title IV programs (Grants, Loans, and Federal Work Study).
• Oversee the maintenance of financial aid public web content, and literature.
• Manage and process all institutional scholarships.
• Ensure the reconciliation of scholarship accounts and update and maintain student tracking reports for individual scholarship accounts.
• Process and correct financial aid documents electronically to meet federal regulations.
• Verify and secure documentation for all Federal Student Aid recipients.
• Package aid and process award letters for all potential students, including all possible financial aid allowed at ICC.
• Assist in the process for origination and disbursements through U.S. Department of Education in line with ICC and federal requirements.
• Submit documentation to the Business Office for disbursement of funds.
• Monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) based on ICC policies and Federal regulations.
• Verify and secure documentation for all students who are employed through the Federal Work Study and ICC Student Labor programs.
• Place student employees in jobs both on and off campus, while abiding by Department of Education regulations and college procedure.
• Maintain and submit payroll documentation for Federal Work Study and ICC Student Labor programs.
• Calculate and certify Federal Stafford loans to meet federal regulations.
• Calculate and certify Federal Parent PLUS loans to meet federal regulations.
• Train and work with personnel on the use of Banner.
• Facilitate the resolution of difficult and /or unusual situations related to student financial aid issues.
• Counsel students and/or parents regarding the full scope of available financial resources for attending ICC.
• Participate and represent the Office of Financial and Scholarships in various committees, professional training, industry conferences and conventions.
• All other duties as assigned by the Executive Director of Financial Aid.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree required; bachelor’s degree in finance, accounting, student affairs or a related field, preferred.
• Three years’ experience in administering federal, state, and institutional aid and scholarships, preferred.
• One year’s experience in an educational setting, preferred.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Through knowledge of administering rules and regulations governing federal and state aid.
• Knowledge of higher education financial aid services and programs.
• Ability to perform with a high level of proficiency in a college student information system (e.g., Colleague or Banner), Windows, and Microsoft Office.
• Ability to interact professionally and respectfully with students, parents, faculty, and co-workers in high stress situations.
• Ability to serve internal and external stakeholders with a high level of customer service skills, to include understanding the value of and initiating appropriate responses to inquiries whether in the office, online or via telephone.
• Evidence of strong counseling skills to assist students who have unique needs or exceptional circumstances or need alternative sources of financial support.
• High level of ability to provide accurate and timely information regarding the status of a student’s award.
• Knowledge of and sensitivity to the needs and expectations of community college students, faculty, and staff, and community groups.
• High level of ability to organize workflow and work tasks with attention to detail.
• Ability to work with a diverse student population.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective communication and interpersonal relationships throughout the college and the community.
• Time management, ability to cope with multiple interruptions and work under pressure of deadlines.
• Must be able to handle confidential information with tact and discretion.
• Excellent office skills, including computer experience necessary to complete job requirements.
• Ability to learn a thorough understanding of tax returns in the context of validating student aid reports.
• Must have a positive, collaborative work philosophy that is compatible with the mission of ICC.

Working Conditions/Physical Requirements

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

• This position generally requires light work with occasional lifting of up to (20) pounds or more, carrying supplies and/or equipment.
• This position requires the ability to sit; stand or walk for extended periods and various periods of time.
• This position requires that work is generally performed in an indoor setting, in an office or a classroom environment, which combines standard office equipment such as copiers, phones, computers and printers. The noise level in the work environment is usually low to moderate.

Independence Community College values a culture of respect, kindness, and understanding and does not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, marital status, sexual orientation, or disability. Women, historically underrepresented minorities, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.