Financial Aid Specialist

The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for supporting prospective and continuing students by reviewing and evaluating financial aid eligibility; providing efficient and timely delivery of accurate information, services, and funding to all students; and ensuring the quality control, application tracking, and verification of student files. This is a 12-month staff position reporting to the District Director of Financial Aid.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s Degree or Equivalent Required
• Excellent communication and relationship-building skills
• Well organized with attention to detail
• Experience in financial aid, student counseling, or directly related experience
• Must have experience in computer data entry and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, and Outlook)
• Ability to operate other office equipment
• Experience dealing with the public

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s Degree 
• Title IV Administration experience 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

1. Provides information to students regarding financial aid programs, application procedures, award packaging, and financial aid academic progress.
2. Review applications and other documents for student financial aid eligibility per the Department of Education eligibility requirements.
3. Collects, analyzes, evaluates, and verifies financial aid data and documents submitted by students.
4. Certifies student enrollment, ensuring adherence to academic progress policies and eligibility requirements; initiates appropriate adjustments to individual student financial aid.
5. Assists students, prospective students and others regarding eligibility requirements of financial aid.
6. Prepares and reconciles various reports, business correspondence, records, and/or other related documents.
7. Maintains awareness of best practices, emerging trends and new legislation relating to Financial Aid functional area.
8. Completes duties and responsibilities in compliance with college standards, policies, and guidelines.
9. Uses interpersonal skills and makes sound judgments to decide how duties and responsibilities are completed between coworkers, the supervisory chain, faculty, staff, students, and customers.
10. Promotes positive morale and teamwork within the department and provides exceptional customer service to students, faculty, and community.
11. Supports the values and institutional goals as defined in the College’s Strategic Plan.
12. Performs other duties as assigned as assigned by the District Director of Financial Aid.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:

• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail. 
• Experience using technology including email, word processing, spreadsheet, database, and Internet use. 
• Strong interpersonal skills to interact tactfully and courteously with students, faculty, staff, and the general public. 
• Ability to collaborate with others and work as part of a team. 
• Must be a “quick study” to quickly grasp and retain knowledge of policies and procedures relating to every aspect of student services that a prospective or current student may utilize. 
• Demonstrate oral and written communication skills to interact with a wide range of diverse individuals. 
• Flexible schedule is required to meet department needs, as some evenings, weekends, and extended hours may be required. 

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORK ENVIRONMENT:

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to do the following:

• Talk, hear, view, and assist students 
• Communicate with others in person, telephone, zoom, & live chat
• Sit, use hands to handle or feel, and reach with hands and arms
• Stand, walk, stoop, or kneel
• Occasionally lift and/or move items of at least 15-20 pounds

APPLICATION

To apply, please submit and attach the following:

• Application at www.northwestms.edu
• Resume
• Three (3) Professional References:  Name, Organization, Email Address and Telephone Number