Student Financial Services Specialist

Description: Position Title: Student Financial Services Specialist Department: Student Financial Services Reports to: Student Financial Services Director/Assistant Director Supervises: N/A Classification: Hourly Status: Non-Exempt POSITION OVERVIEW: The Student Financial Services Specialist has a primary responsibility to contribute to the administration of federal and institutional financial aid programs and to advise students and families regarding the financial aid process.
This individual must maintain current knowledge and understanding of Title IV Federal Student Financial Aid Program regulations as well as institutional regulations to implement and maintain appropriate operating procedures to award and distribute funds to eligible students in a timely, accurate, and equitable manner.
This position works under close supervision by the Director of Financial Student Services.
ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS: A) QUALITATIVE STANDARDS: Dependability – Almost always present and rarely late.
Always reports absence(s) or tardiness in advance.
Misses less than five (5) days per year (including cumulative tardiness or leaving early).
Job Knowledge & Updating - Demonstrates thorough knowledge and understanding of all aspects of Financial Aid regulations and policies, including school policies and procedures.
Attends seminars, and workshops, and does personal study to stay abreast of new regulations and policy changes.
Customer Service - Displays courtesy & sensitivity; manages difficult or emotional situations; Meets commitments; Responds promptly to internal and external customer needs; Solicits feedback for self-improvement.
Prospective Students - Interview prospective students to obtain information needed to determine eligibility for financial aid, and provide an estimate of funds that reflect the eligibility of the future student with very few errors.
Maintenance of Financial Aid Files - Files are initiated and maintained for all students with a high degree of accuracy.
Including tracking and completing all necessary grant and loan documentation.
Continually audits files to review required documents to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies.
Decision Making & Judgment - Makes independent decisions regarding the awarding of financial aid to students and continually advises students regarding their financial options and responsibilities Responds to problems and seeks solutions.
Able to handle emergencies.
Decisions exhibit careful consideration.
Anticipates potential issues, preventing emergencies from developing.
Ethics & Adherence to Laws - Demonstrates thorough understanding and compliance with laws, regulations, and school policies and procedures pertaining to the job.
Possesses a high level of commitment to the goals and objectives of the school.
Entrance & Exit Counseling - Performs entrance for every student who will receive Federal Loans within 3 (three) days of their start date.
All Exit counseling for a student with Federal Loans will be completed within two weeks of the expected graduation date.
For all students who leave school prior to graduation, all information is submitted to the Student Loan Advisor for the comprehensive mailing of exit information.
Initiative & Creativity - Willingly accepts additional responsibilities.
Offers new ideas/approaches to improve work methods or procedures.
Organization & Planning - Develops plans to effectively meet goals, attempting to plan for contingencies.
Demonstrates the ability to identify priorities.
Always uses a daily prioritized to-do list.
Communication – Verbal & Written - Both verbal and written communications are clear, concise, and grammatically correct, only requiring occasional guidance.
Actively listens and writes things down so that very few errors are made when carrying out directions and requests.
Teamwork & Cooperation - Willingly participates in and contributes to group/team efforts.
Fits in easily as a productive team member in any situation.
Demonstrates sensitivity to the viewpoints of others.
Participates in school activities such as graduation and information hour meetings.
Professional Appearance - Has the personal appearance, grooming, and personal hygiene of a professional.
Safety & Cleanliness - Keeps his/her work area or office, desk, etc.
, neat, clean, and safe.
Any safety hazards are quickly corrected.
B) QUANTITATIVE STANDARDS: The table below reflects the minimum standards that are required for each of the five job levels.
This table shows standards that must be met during every 12-month evaluation period.
Max.
Days for ISIR Processing-10 Max.
Days for Federal Loan Processing- 30 Max.
Days for Institutional Loan Processing- 30 Max.
Days for Cross-Over Processing- 75 Min.
days for Graduate Files Completed before Grad Date- 30 For the overall performance review score, both the Qualitative and Quantitative scores are weighted equally.
OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES OR REQUIREMENTS: 1.
Cooperates with the Student Loan Advisor to reduce student loan defaults.
2.
Works closely and cooperates with the Admissions staff to help prospective students enroll.
3.
Performs other work-related duties as assigned.
4.
Must be able to work flexible hours.
Requirements: EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of High School Diploma or GED.
Previous training or experience in business administration or related fields.
Prior student financial aid experience is preferred.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES REQUIRED: Must possess excellent customer service.
Ability to read, write, speak, and understand English and Spanish fluently.
Strong verbal and written communication skills, plus analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and problem-solving skills.
Ability to operate normal office equipment, including a Personal Computer with current Windows applications, must be able to adapt to new software.