Financial Aid Specialist

Title: Financial Aid Specialist

Agency: Northern VA Community College

Location: Prince William - 153

FLSA: Nonexempt

Hiring Range: $50,000-$60,000

Full Time or Part Time: Full Time

Additional Detail

Job Description:
General Description:
The Campus Financial Aid Specialist develops and applies consistent policies and procedures that meet federal, state and institutional requirements, the Office of Financial Aid and Support Services attempts to eliminate financial barriers for students who likely would be unable to pursue postsecondary education without financial assistance.

Duties and Tasks:

• To assist all Northern Virginia Community College students who have applied for financial aid, or who wish to, by providing information that will guide each student through the aid process - over the phone, by email, or by in-person consultations.
• To coordinate assistance with appropriate policies and regulations.
• Assist with the organization and completion of outreach activities.
• Assist the Campus Financial Aid Manager or his/her supervisor, as requested, with other financial aid-related projects and tasks.
• Assist students in the financial aid office or offsite workshops in completing the online FAFSA application and all Financial Aid related requirements, such as verification or Master Promissory Note/Entrance Counseling completion.
• Analyze financial aid information provided by students on FAFSA to determine accuracy, completeness, and correctness.
• Identify discrepancies related to information provided on documents vs. information provided on FAFSA vs. information provided in the NOVA system.
• Maintain a high level of customer service in all interactions with students, parents, college employees, and community partners.
• Understand and explain financial aid packaging and eligibility requirements for federal, state, and institutional funds.
• • Provide accurate and timely information to students and parents about financial aid processes and eligibility.
• Understand federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies.
• Understand NVCC financial aid tools available for communicating with students
• Understand and properly use important financial aid websites such as studentaid.gov and financial aid verification sites.
• Ability to properly use SIS to navigate the student information system to answer questions and assist with the financial aid experience.
• Assist with planning and participation in outreach activities
• Assist the Campus Financial Aid Manager or member of the financial aid leadership team, as requested, with financial aid-related projects and tasks.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

Required KSAs:

• Strong customer service skills
• Familiarity with computer applications related to financial aid as well as student information systems.
• Knowledge of office procedures and use of various office equipment.
• Excellent ability in oral and written communications, as well as organizational skills.
• Ability to work well with students, staff and other offices for successful resolution to difficult problems.
• Ability to work independently in identifying and addressing the student's financial aid needs as they relate to the application process.
• Knowledge and ability to follow rules, regulations and understand standards established by the college, state and federal financial aid programs.
• Ability to work under pressure and to manage multiple tasks and demands.
• Ability to exercise professional judgment and counsel students regarding special conditions as defined by the federal guidelines.
• Ability to counsel students on matters concerning the maintenance of Satisfactory Academic progress.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality.
• Ability to maintain professional demeanor respectful of diversity and multiculturalism.
• Skilled in computer usage, including Microsoft Office, e-mail, PeopleSoft Student Information System, and researching information online.
• Ability to present to in various modalities to varying audiences.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Customer service experience.
• Familiarity and experience with various software applications and reporting tools, including Microsoft Office Suite tools.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Experience with diverse populations.

Preferred Qualifications:

Additional Considerations:

• Experience working with the PeopleSoft student information system
• Experience utilizing Financial Aid Professional Resources (NASFAA, FSAPartnerConnect, IFAP)
• Bilingual - Spanish