TEMPORARY Financial Aid Specialist
Salary: $31.40 - $38.62 Hourly
Location: Districtwide, CA
Job Type: Temporary
Division: DO District Office
Job Number: 202400216-T
Closing:
General Purpose
Under general supervision, performs technical duties related to the
evaluation of student financial aid information; screens student
financial aid applications and provides specialized program
information, assistance and advice to students; performs student
financial needs analyses, determines eligibility and packages
awards in accordance with District policies and federal, state and
local requirements; assists students, parents and the public in
applying for financial aid services and programs; monitors student
status and determines status of financial aid funds including
overpayments; and performs related duties as assigned.
Essential Duties & Responsibilities
The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the
various types of work that may be performed. The omission of
specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the
position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to
this class.
Explains and assists students with understanding and completing
financial aid applications and forms; interviews students regarding
completeness and consistency of information and accuracy of a wide
variety of financial aid forms and documentation including
applications, transcripts, tax forms, and fee waivers; verifies
student status and academic progress; explains deadlines and
disbursement dates; refers students to other agencies as necessary
to obtain required documentation.
Receives, analyzes and validates financial aid applications for
eligibility; evaluates financial aid needs analyses using standard
federal formulas for all available programs to determine Expected
Family Contribution (EFC) in each case; determines eligibility and
packages financial aid and scholarships, including Pell Grants,
direct student loans, work study and supplemental educational
opportunity grants.
Serves on committees to evaluate student financial aid appeals
on a case-by-case basis; reviews and evaluates special
circumstances and makes professional judgment adjustments to the
data elements on the FAFSA, overrides a student's dependency status
and determines and processes any changes in EFC necessary.
Coordinates or participates in assigned major financial aid
programs, including scholarships, Dream Act, Federal Work Study,
Direct Student Loans, Cal Grants, Chafee grants and other grant
programs; masters the detailed technical knowledge and procedural
requirements of each assigned program to serve as the program's
in-house expert; assists with reconciliation of funds from various
programs and identifies potential overpayments and
adjustments.
Runs reports, analyzes data and monitors student enrollment
status, enrollment changes, courses taken/repeated and progress
towards degree; identifies and assists in resolving academic
progress issues that may affect aid; places administrative holds on
financial aid due to failure to meet academic requirements;
determines and processes financial aid overpayments, Return to
Title IV funds (R2T4), post-withdrawal disbursements and
adjustments to payments.
Conducts comprehensive audits of student financial aid files to
verify completeness, accuracy and timeliness of all information and
documentation supporting a student's financial aid status;
identifies and assists in resolving compliance issues for required
procedural or regulatory reporting, filing or submission.
Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically
minoritized groups and participates in professional development
activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded
practices within the District.
OTHER DUTIES
Interacts with other departments and with state and federal
programs on behalf of a student.
Presents and participates in financial aid educational
workshops and outreach events.
Processes documentation and hiring paperwork for District and
Federal work study students.
As assigned, provides work guidance to student aides; monitors
work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District,
department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards;
provides information, instruction and training on work procedures
and technical, legal and regulatory requirements.
Performs related duties as assigned.
Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Knowledge of:
Financial aid department services, goals, objectives, policies,
procedures and practices and associated needs analysis and award
packaging processes and procedures.
Federal, state and local financial aid programs and
regulations.
Interviewing and consulting techniques.
Policies, objectives and technical aspects of financial aid
programs and activities, including financial aid needs analysis and
award packaging processes and procedures.
Financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques.
Personal and financial issues/special circumstances of
economically disadvantaged students.
District student recordkeeping practices and procedures for
processing student information and interpreting input and output
data.
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title IV and
other state and federal laws and regulations and District rules,
policies and procedures governing financial aid and applicable
eligibility criteria including federal tax law, regulations, forms
and schedules relevant to the position
District financial aid software applications.
Principles and practices of sound business communication
including English usage, spelling and punctuation.
Standard business software including word processing,
spreadsheet and database programs such as Access and SQL query
development.
Skills and Abilities to:
Perform complex technical duties in support of financial aid
programs and services.
Interpret, explain and apply complex federal, state and college
guidelines, rules, regulations, policies, procedures and practices
governing financial aid, veterans' benefits and scholarship
programs.
Understand requests for information or assistance; maintain a
courteous and tactful manner when under pressure or in an
antagonistic situation.
Make determinations and apply professional judgment regarding
eligibility for financial assistance based on established
procedures and guidelines, ensuring consistency and a high degree
of accuracy.
Analyze problems, evaluate alternatives and recommend or adopt
effective courses of action in accordance with established policies
and procedures.
Maintain confidentiality of District and student files and
records.
Effectively engage and support historically minoritized groups
by addressing issues of equity and improving culturally responsive
service-oriented practices.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Prepare clear, concise and accurate records, data entries,
reports and other written materials.
Operate a computer and use standard business and third-party
software and databases.
Represent the District effectively one on one and in a variety
of group settings.
Exercise tact and diplomacy in dealing with sensitive, complex
and confidential student issues and situations.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with all
those encountered in the course of work.
EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
An associate degree in a relevant field, and two years of
experience reviewing documentation and determining eligibility for
financial aid or program participation; or an equivalent
combination of training and experience. A bachelor's degree from an
accredited college or university in education, finance, accounting,
business administration, social work, counseling, psychology,
communications, sociology, mathematics or another related field is
highly desirable.
LICENSES, CERTIFICATES AND OTHER
REQUIREMENTS
A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain
insurability under the District's vehicle insurance program.
PHYSICAL AND MENTAL DEMANDS
The physical and mental demands described here are representative
of those that must be met by employees to successfully perform the
essential functions of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Physical Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly
required to sit; talk or hear, in person and by telephone; use
hands repetitively to finger, handle, feel or operate standard
office equipment; and reach with hands and arms. Employees are
frequently required to walk and to stand for long periods, and to
lift up to 25 pounds.
Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision
and the ability to adjust focus.
Mental Demands
While performing the duties of this class, employees are regularly
required to use written and oral communication skills; read and
interpret data, information and documents; analyze and solve
problems; observe and interpret situations; learn and apply new
information or skills; perform highly detailed work; work on
multiple, concurrent tasks; work with frequent interruptions; work
under intensive deadlines; and interact with District managers,
staff, the public and others encountered in the course of
work.
WORKING ENVIRONMENT
The work environment characteristics described here are
representative of those an employee encounters while performing the
essential duties of this class. Reasonable accommodations may be
made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the
essential functions.
Employees work under typical office conditions subject to frequent
public contact and interruption; and intermittent exposure to
individuals acting in a disagreeable fashion.
The employee may be required to travel to locations other than
assigned work site and to adjust to work schedule changes and
requirements to work overtime.
Assessment Process
Only the most qualified applicants will be invited to
interview for the assignment.
The current vacancies are at Clovis Community College &
Fresno City College.To apply, visit https://www.schooljobs.com/careers/scccd/jobs/4625328/temporary-financial-aid-specialist
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