Financial Aid Specialist

Details:

Posted: August 22, 2024
Level: Community College Professional 15, 12-month, tenure track position.
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Closing Date: The committee will begin review of applications immediately. Applications must be submitted by 5:00pm (EST) on Wednesday, September 18, 2024.

Location:

CT State Quinebaug Valley
742 Upper Maple Street, Danielson, CT 06239
**This position is not remote**
For more information, please visit the campus website or www.ct.edu/hr/jobs

CT State Community College Mission:

Connecticut State Community College provides access to academically rigorous and innovative education and training focused on student success. The college supports excellence in teaching and learning, makes data-informed decisions, promotes equity, and advances positive change for the students, communities and industries it serves.

CT State Community College Vision:

Connecticut State Community College is recognized for exceptional student success, educational leadership and transformative collaboration with business and industry, government, educational and key stakeholders while advancing diverse opportunities for Connecticut’s citizens and communities.

CT State Community College Equity Statement:

Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Anticipated Start Date: 

November 2024

Position Summary:

The Financial Aid Specialist provides operational support to the Financial Aid Office, with a focus on assisting with the review and processing of financial aid paperwork and providing information to a variety of individuals regarding financial aid, payment plans, and student aid eligibility. The incumbent will assist with the accurate processing of all financial aid application and student loan materials within a highly automated environment. The Financial Aid Specialist provides student service in person and other communication channels to assist with the financial aid process for students and families.

Example of Job Duties:

Under the direction of the Campus Supervisor for Financial Aid Services, the Financial Aid Specialist provides operational support to the Financial Aid Office through these essential job duties: 

• Maintains the front counter for all student-facing, in-person activity.
• Provides excellent service to students, their families, outside agency personnel, and members of the college community.
• Assists students with the completion of all aspects of the application for financial aid, ensuring completion through the receipt of a financial aid package.
• Responds in a timely manner to student inquiries through a variety of communication techniques. Additionally, makes outgoing communication efforts.
• Facilitates in person and online workshops to assist with FAFSA completion.
• Provides information on financial literacy and other associated topics.
• Counsels and assists prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the FAFSA application process and eligibility for financial aid.
• Provides information on eligibility requirements, application processes and procedures, status of financial aid application and award and required additional documentation as needed. Determines if the student’s inquiry requires further follow-up and directs the inquiry to the appropriate source for resolution, as necessary.
• Prepares or assists in the review of student aid applications, including verification, c-flags, and rejects. This includes the review of all documentation needed to complete a student’s file for packaging.
• Responsible for the quality assurance and document linking within the imaging system.
• Monitors the academic performance of student aid recipients in accordance with Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations.
• Maintains current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Reviews and processes student loan requests in accordance with federal law and regulations.
• Maintains an alpha caseload to ensure necessary documents are received and conflicting information resolved to ensure aid can be disbursed.
• Runs reports as needed.
• Reads and interprets