Financial Aid Technician

Position Summary

Performs specialized clerical and technical duties related to processing and storing information for student grant and other financial aid programs. Maintains student financial obligation records. Provides technical assistance and information to students, staff and the public.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• \- Interviews students participating in the various loan programs, interpreting state and federal guidelines applying to the programs.
• \- Explains the approved eligibility, requirements for program qualification and compliance, and program options so that students make informed decisions about their obligations.
• \- Instructs students in correct procedures for completion of forms and applications, special requirements and restrictions, and supporting documentation such as tax returns, income and housing verifications, and transcripts. Reviews completed forms for accuracy and completeness.
• \- Assists students and parents with FAFSA financial aid applications, processing procedures, and interpreting policies of the funding organizations. Explains the different types of financial aid programs, including obligations and payment schedules.
• \- Processes loan/financial aid awards, consulting with others as necessary, and notifying successful applicants.
• \- Services financial aid accounts. Maintains up-to-date addresses. Audits student financial records to determine amounts owed. Prepares communications for repayment, payback on excess payments, and other accounts owed.
• \- Creates, maintains, and periodically reviews student records to assure compliance with provisions of financial aid and grants. Checks student eligibility for Federal Work Study and other programs.
• \- Administers delinquent and default loan procedures. Receives information from the Department of Education and other sources, including internal reports, verifies account balances and student status, and initiates written contact with students. Works with students to restore current account status.
• \- Maintains financial aid records to support preparation of financial aid reports for various grant and loan disbursements. Monitors and revises budgets and awards as necessary to prevent over spending of awards.
• \- Performs basic troubleshooting of problems associated with financial aid accounts, student status, and computer-aided files.
• \- May prepare standardized correspondence for/to students, verifying status and other information.
• \- May process Board of Governors Fee Waiver application for students.
• \- May input data into the District’s database (Banner).
• \- Performs miscellaneous clerical duties for the office such as updating policy and procedure manuals and award tables, editing student files, replenishing forms and communication devices, collecting data for reports, and preparing general correspondence.
• \- Performs other duties as assigned that support the overall objective of the position.

*Qualifications and Requirements

Minimum Qualifications

A high school diploma, or the equivalent, and three years of financial aid experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• \- Three (3) years of experience in financial aid administration such as awarding, disbursing, and financial aid counseling at a community college or public university.
• \- Experience with processing federal and state financial aid programs such as Cal Grant, Pell Grant, Verification, and Appeals.
• \- Experience using Banner or a similar student information system (SIS) like PeopleSoft or Colleague, with proficiency in financial aid modules.
• \- Demonstrates sensitivity to, understanding of, and ability to work with the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, disability, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, immigration status, and cultural background of community college students, faculty, and staff; and successfully fosters and supports an inclusive educational and work environment.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• \- Requires a working knowledge of the policies and procedures associated with federal, state, and local financial aid programs including grants and waivers.
• \- Requires a working knowledge of federal and institutional satisfactory academic progress policies.
• \- Requires a working knowledge of regulations and institutional policies relevant to admissions, registration, accounts payable, and financial aid practices.
• \- Requires knowledge of and skills with routine office policies, procedures and equipment, including PCs and applicable student information databases, word processing and spreadsheet applications. Requires sufficient English language skill to prepare routine correspondence.
• \- Requires sufficient human relation skills to provide general information to student-customers, exercise patience when dealing with students, resolve confrontations, and convey a positive image of the District.
• \- Requires sufficient math skills to compute principal, interest, sums, percentages, and ratios.
• \- Requires the ability to perform all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively with minimal supervision.
• \- Requires the ability to perform financial recordkeeping, data entry, file maintenance, and report writing duties.
• \- Requires the ability to communicate program elements and requirements with students, faculty and outside agencies/customers.
• \- Requires the ability to instruct students on the financial aid application process and to resolve conflict. Ability to perform data entry onto an automated information system.
• \- May require the ability to perform assignments on varying work schedules.

Physical Abilities

• \- Incumbent performs work of predominately a sedentary nature.
• \- Requires ambulatory ability to sit in front of a computer screen for extended periods of time, to move about between work station and customer service counters, and to reach for work materials and files.
• \- Requires sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate computer keyboard, typewriter or other office equipment.
• \- Requires visual acuity to read words and numbers.
• \- Requires speaking and hearing ability sufficient to hear over phone and carry on routine conversations.

*Pay and Benefits

Health & Wellness

• · Fully-paid Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance for eligible employees and dependents
• · Choice of HMO or PPO with very low co-pays and out-of-pocket costs
• · Flexible Spending Accounts for healthcare and dependent care
• · Free 24/7 Employee Assistance Program. Basic Life and AD&D insurance for employees only

Work-Life Balance

• · 19 Paid Holidays and 12 Vacation Days (annually), up to 22 Vacation Days (annually) based on years of service
• · 12 Sick Days annually
• · Opportunity for remote work after six months of employment (up to two days per week) with manager approval
• · Possibility of Modified Summer Schedule
• · Professional Learning Opportunities
• · No-cost Annual Staff Parking. Close proximity to the Metro rail system

Financial & Retirement Benefits

• · CalPERS/CalSTRS Defined-Benefit Pension Plans. District paid post-retirement medical, dental and vision for those employees who qualify and their eligible dependents
• · 457(b), 403(b), & Roth 403(b) Deferred Compensation Plans
• · Longevity Salary Increases

Pay Rate: $4,748.68 - $6,363.68 per month / $27.40 - $36.71 an hour