Financial Aid Assistant, Hourly

Under the direction of the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, the part time staff member will assist with customer questions via phone, email, and in person; perform data entry, data extraction, and light data analysis; assist with presentations, and other miscellaneous office tasks.

This position is a 20 hour per week position, working 100% on campus, with flexible hours. The position is not benefits eligible, except for state mandated sick leave. The position is in the Financial Aid Office, an evolving and growing team of individuals dedicated to student success at Highline College. This is an excellent growth possible position, as the Financial Aid Office seeks always to hire within for individuals interested in a long-term career in financial aid.

As a condition of employment, employees can, at no time, be in Default on a federal loan.

This is a temporary hourly position that is limited to 12 months or 1050 hours.

Reporting to the Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid, this position will:

• Performs basic to complex data entry using stringent policies and procedures;
• Provides solution-based responses to students regarding their application for financial aid and other items related to financial aid;
• Analyzes data within the Financial Aid systems, customer account, and other resources, and combines that information with trained policies and procedures to assist customers with questions regarding their application for financial aid, disbursement, and continuing eligibility;
• Provides excellent, positive, customer service to individuals over the phone and in person using exceptional English grammar and little to no slang;
• Provides excellent, positive, forward looking, written customer service via email using exceptional English grammar. In most cases, matching a customer question to a provided template response and then updating the response to match the customer's exact needs;
• Processes multiple single and routine reports that require cross referencing and data extraction from multiple sources and either using that data to perform a data entry task or reporting the findings to a colleague;
• Assists colleagues with preparing for, and in some cases performing, customer presentations, which may include presenting, facilitating, or assisting with hands on workshops for customers;
• Maintains poise and professionalism when deescalating frustrated customers, and pushes for forward driving solutions;
• At all times, maintains a high standard of professionalism.

Ability to:

• Use computer-based Financial Aid Management systems such as PeopleSoft;
• Use work independently once given a task;
• Work well in a strong team environment and contribute positively to that environment;
• Advise students on an individual or group basis on specific aspects of financial aid;
• Handle interpersonal interactions, including challenging students, parents, and others;
• Relate effectively with a wide diversity of students, faculty, staff and community members with sensitivity, tact, patience, and respect;
• Use the Microsoft Office Suite effectively, especially Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams;
• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a wide range of individuals using exceptional English language skills.

Required skills:

• Excellent English language communication skills, both verbal and written;
• Strong computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, and Outlook;
• Strong typing skills (minimum 40 words per minute);
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail;
• Cannot be in Default on a federal loan.

Minimum qualifications:

• High school diploma or GED.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with the Financial Aid application process either personally or professionally;
• Ability to speak multiple languages but especially Spanish;
• Experience working with complex data entry systems;
• Extremely strong typing skills (60+ words per minute).