Financial Aid Assistant
Employer
Job Location
Main Campus, Winterville, NC
Salary/Grade
Benefits
Job Category
- Technical/Paraprofessional
Application Period
Closes: Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Target Start Date
Expected Work Hours
Reports to
Employment Type
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business math, computers, counseling, or a related field and three to five years of experience in a clerical/accounting position with public contact and computer experience; or any equivalent combination of training and experience which provides the required skills, knowledge and abilities. Previous financial aid experience would be very beneficial.
Preferred Qualifications
Physical Requirements: Must be physically able to operate a variety of automated office machines including computer, typewriter, calculator, copier, etc. Must be physically able to exert up to ten pounds of force occasionally and/or a negligible amount of force frequently or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Position involves sedentary work, which requires sitting most of the time, but may involve walking or standing for brief periods of time. Must be able to lift and/or carry weights of approximately twenty pounds.
Data Conception: Requires the ability to compare and/or judge the readily observable functional, structural, or compositional characteristics (whether similar to or divergent from obvious standards) of data, people, or things.
Interpersonal Communication: Requires the ability of speaking and/or signaling people to convey or exchange information. Includes the giving of instructions to students and the giving of assignments to assistants. Includes the receiving of information and instructions from supervisor.
Language Ability: Requires the ability to read a variety of documents and reports. Requires the ability to prepare documents and reports such as pre-registration/registration lists, ineligible programs list, general financial aid recipient report, detailed financial aid reports, program review report, etc., using the proper format, punctuation, spelling and grammar. Requires the ability to communicate with co-workers, other College personnel, students, personnel from other colleges, etc., with poise, voice control, and confidence.
Intelligence: Has the ability to apply rational systems such as accounting, counseling, personnel, etc., in order to solve problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists; to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagrammatic, or schedule form.
Verbal Aptitude: Requires the ability to record and deliver information and to follow verbal and written instructions.
Numerical Aptitude: Requires the ability to utilize mathematical formulas; add and subtract totals; multiply and divide; determine percentages and decimals; determine time and weight; apply algebraic principles; and apply descriptive statistics.
Form/Spatial Aptitude: Requires the ability to inspect items for proper length, width and shape.
Motor Coordination: Requires the ability to coordinate hands and eyes in utilizing automated office equipment.
Manual Dexterity: Requires the ability to handle a variety of items, office equipment, control knobs, switches, etc. Must have moderate levels of eye/hand/foot coordination.
Color Discrimination and Visual Acuity: Requires the ability to differentiate colors and shades of color; requires the visual acuity to determine depth perception, peripheral vision, inspection for small parts; preparing and analyzing written or computer data, etc.
Interpersonal Temperament: Requires the ability to deal with people beyond receiving instructions. Must be adaptable to performing under minimal stress when confronted with an emergency.
Physical Communication: Requires the ability to talk and/or hear (talking - expressing or exchanging ideas by means of spoken words; hearing - perceiving nature of sounds by ear.)
Position Description
Under general supervision, is responsible for reviewing student applications and supporting documents, ensuring that all Federal and State eligibility requirements and mandates are met for the purpose of awarding financial aid, performing various administrative tasks associated with programs such as Federal Work Study, Federal Stafford Loans, North Carolina Community College Grant, North Carolina Lottery Scholarship, North Carolina Incentive Grants, etc., and providing clerical and administrative assistance in order to ensure an effective operation of the financial aid office. Reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid.
Scans, logs, and processes required financial aid paperwork for completed files.
Verifies data reported to the National Student Loan Data System database against information provided by students.
Advises students on withdrawals, satisfactory academic progress, and timeframe.
Views transcript data and degree program to ensure compliance with eligibility requirements.
Encodes financial aide awards into the computerized Student Information System.
Contacts students to request additional information required to resolve discrepancies.
Performs administrative tasks associated with specific programs.
Assists students in completing applications and forms.
Reviews reported tax information to ensure compliance with Federal and State guidelines and mandates.
Calculates student eligibility for aide by reviewing Estimated Family Contribution, Cost of Attendance, and Unmet Need.
Files electronically corrections to students FAFSA’s.
Attends conferences and workshops to keep current with regulatory changes.
Responds to inquiries in person and by telephone about the financial aid awarding process to parents, students, and staff.
Investigates and resolves discrepancies in any information that could impact eligibility such as reported income, household size, assets, etc.
Reviews student transcripts to ensure that they are making satisfactory academic progress.
Assists in the authorization the release of refund checks to students after verifying they have not violated required attendance policies.
Requests that the Director review any student files that exhibit special circumstances possibly warranting Professional Judgement determinations.
Receives and/or reviews various records and reports such as tax forms, verification forms, loan applications, academic transcripts, Department of Social Services forms, and supporting documents submitted for financial eligibility.
Prepares and/or processes various records and reports such as number of files worked, merge letters, student financial aid records, and reports associated with specific grant or loan programs.
Refers to Financial Aid Policy Manual, Financial Aid Handbook, Curriculum Program Book, Pitt Community College catalog, NASFAA Directory, SAR/ISIR Comment Code Book, policy and procedure manuals, computer manuals, codes / laws / regulations, publications and reference texts, etc.
Operates a variety of office equipment and machines such as computer, scanner, fax machine, telephone, TDD machine, etc.
Uses a variety of tools such as adding machine, standard office tools, etc.; a variety of supplies such as secretarial supplies, computer supplies, general office supplies, etc.; and a variety of software such as Microsoft Word, Datatel, Microsoft Excel, GroupWise, etc.
Interacts and communicates with various individuals and groups such as Director of Financial Aid, students, coworkers, parents, faculty, staff, and the general public.
Performs general office duties.
Attends staff meetings.
Serves on campus wide committees.
Performs other related duties as required.