Financial Aid Support Specialist

Position Summary

Support the Student Financial Specialists and Financial Aid Director to ensure smooth operation of the office. Assisting students and parents to help them have a clear idea of their financial aid status as well as communicating with students/families to collect relevant documentation as needed during the financial aid process. Assist in fulfilling the college’s mission and purpose of achieving set educational goals by providing informational aid and direction to students and families.

Reports to: Director of Financial Aid

Education Required

Duties

• Counsels and advises current/prospective students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs; individualizes information to the particular needs and situation of the student.
• Collects and analyzes financial data on students to determine aid eligibility according to the federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Collects special circumstance documentation or information from the student and evaluate for making possible adjustments or revisions to costs, contribution, need or dependency status.
• Evaluates all FAFSA C codes and missing EFCs then contacts student with instructions for solving the problem with their FAFSA on an as needed basis.
• Responsible for verifying student eligibility for Title IV funding through the NSDLS site.
• Responsible for completion of the verification process for selected students.
• Responsible to assist in certifying TSAA and Dual Enrollment awards through EGRANDS.
• Perform Return of Calculations (R2T4) once a student withdrawals and determine amount, if any, that needs to be returned.
• Attends occasional evening and Saturday scholarship events to assist in office operation.
• Assists in ensuring compliance with institutional, federal and state policies and communicates them effectively to students and members of the College.
• Gather and coordinate information from various departments to complete the Financial Aid process.
• Assist Student Financial Specialists in distributing SAP letters and Loss of HOPE letters.
• Notify Financial Aid Director and Committee of any SAP appeals that are received.
• Assist Student Financial Specialists in sending all exit letters to current non-return students or graduating students.
• Receives, answers or redirects all incoming phone calls from current/prospective students and assist with answering questions.
• Assist students, when needed, to complete work study and/or verification paperwork.
• Maintains current student electronic files.
• Maintains knowledge of current and proposed federal and state regulations as they relate to financial aid matters.
• Assist as needed with mail distribution.
• Assist in importing all data files from Ed Connect into EDE and CAMS.
• Assist with gathering data for the monthly Clearinghouse reports and responsible for making any corrections once report is filed.
• Answer phone, emails, assist students with general billing questions and direct them the Business Office or online options for making payments.
• Analyze student accounts and make adjustments as necessary.
• Work collaboratively with the Business Office to ensure consistent implementation of billing and payment policies.
• Other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:

Assist with overseeing student workers as needed.

Desired Qualities

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The Financial Aid Support Specialist is required to complete the federal training for financial aid staff before handling student accounts. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Other Information