Position Description

DEFINITION:
 
To participate in the processing, delivery and enhancement of quality financial aid services to CFCC students by assisting with the management of grant and loan programs, determining aid eligibility, verifying applicant data, reviewing appeals, counseling aid applicants, and understanding and complying with the complex regulations governing the programs administered by the Financial Aid Office. This is a security sensitive position that must follow all Federal and State regulations and guidance.
 
 
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED:

Receive direction from the Senior Director of Financial Aid.

Duties & Responsibilities (Essential Functions)

ESSENTIAL AND OTHER IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS STATEMENTS:
Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
 
Essential Functions:

Process applications and confidential documents, including financial aid applications, tax documents, reports and correspondence.
 
Determine need for additional documentation to verify accuracy of application data.  Follow-up for missing documentation.
 
Review financial aid applications and supporting documents for completeness and accuracy.
 
Resolve eligibility and application issues.
 
Correct application errors if required.  Export corrected data to the Federal Department of Education.  Verify corrections when returned by the Federal Department of Education.
 
Award federal and state financial aid in compliance with established federal, state and local regulations and procedures.  Post awards to student records on Colleague
 
Certify applicant eligibility for state grants.  Update electronic state grant eligibility roster.   Assist in the reconciliation process.
 
Review academic progress status of incoming applicants.   Notify applicants who do not meet eligibility requirements.
 
Meet and greet students and parents in the Financial Aid Office.
 
Provide information to prospective and enrolled students.
 
Assist with financial aid presentations on campus.
 
Counsel students on federal, state and institutional financial aid resources, including student loans.
 
Assist students with financial aid and loan program applications, verifications and related paperwork.
 
Perform verification of applicant data.
 
Maintain confidential student records.
 
Prepare award packages for eligible applicants. Certify loan applications for eligible students.
 
Review student records to ensure compliance with institutional satisfactory academic progress policy.
 
Update student accounts and notify students accordingly.
 
Assist in the review of financial aid appeals for extenuation circumstances to determine professional judgement adjustments to applicant’s aid eligibility.
 
Maintain a thorough knowledge of federal, state, and institutional regulations.
 
Perform other duties as assigned.

Other Important Functions:

Gather and analyze information; produce reports on Financial Aid Office activities.
 
Assist in the implementation of goals and objectives; assist in implementing policies and procedures.
 
Investigate and resolve student concerns and complaints.
 
Conduct outreach activities both on and off-campus, including the student orientation/registration process each semester.
 
Attend training events and conferences to ensure current knowledge of federal and state regulations governing the administration of financial aid.
 
Participate on various college committees and in other institutional activities when requested.
 
Perform additional Financial Aid Office duties as assigned by the Director.
 

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

Knowledge of:

Operational characteristics, services and activities as they apply to a financial aid office.
 
Pertinent federal, state, college and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations governing financial aid programs.
 
Federal software and web-based financial aid products, such as FAA Access, NSLDS, COD, and IFAP.
 
Computer database applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and document imaging systems.
 
Record keeping and reporting procedures.

Ability To:
 
Interpret and explain college financial aid policies and procedures.
 
Manage multiple priorities under established time constraints.
 
Work independently with a high degree of accuracy and as part of a team.
 
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the daily course of work.
 
Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing.
 
Maintain confidentiality of sensitive records.
 

• Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for:
  1. Making observations
  2. Reading and writing
  3. Communicating with others
  4. Operating assigned equipment
  5. Handling varied tasks simultaneously
• Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include the following:
  1. Standing or sitting for extended periods of time
  2. Operating assigned equipment
  3. Handling varied tasks simultaneously 
  4. Bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds
• Maintain mental capacity, which allow the capability of:
  1. Making sound decisions
  2. Responding to questions
  3. Demonstrating intellectual capabilities

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING GUIDELINES:
Any combination of experience and training that would likely provide the required knowledge and abilities is qualifying.  A typical way to obtain the knowledge and abilities would be:
 
 
Minimum Education/Training:

A Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.

 
Minimum Experience: 
 
Two years of increasingly responsible experience in Higher Education in the areas of Student Services or Financial Aid.
 
 
Preferred Education/Training, Experience, Skills:

Bachelor’s in business administration, accounting, or public administration
Financial Aid experience in Higher Education

Supplemental Information

Special Instructions to Applicants:
 
 

• This position REQUIRES UNOFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS AND/OR TRAINING CERTIFICATIONS be submitted in addition to the application. Please have these documents ready to upload when applying.
   

• Candidates are required to submit OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS for all degrees obtained prior to their first day of work or hire date. If the highest level of education is a High School diploma or equivalent, proof of completion is required.

• Applicants who have obtained their education outside of the US and its territories must have their academic degree(s) validated, at their own expense, by an outside credential evaluation service as equivalent to the Baccalaureate or Master’s degree conferred by a regionally accredited college or university in the United States.