Financial Aid Outreach Navigator

Financial Aid Outreach Specialist

Salary: $56,699 - $60,952

Classification: Administrative

Reports to: Assistant Director of Financial Aid Outreach

This position is responsible for making significant contact with high school students and their families to increase financial aid completion rates and provide information on how to access private scholarships. The outreach specialist conducts other outreach as appropriate, including virtual or in-person presentations with students and families, communications regarding financial aid in schools and on social media, and support for college and career-related events in school and community settings. In partnership with college/career staff and counselors, this position manages a caseload of students in local high schools, using multi-tiered supports and research-based strategies, to augment college/career pathway guidance with college affordability information and cost-benefit analysis of postsecondary education and career pathways.

Essential Functions

• Independently advise students and families, consult with co-workers, K-12, and community partners, other OC departments, and other institutions of higher education about financial aid processes, policies, and procedures.
• Provide individual financial aid advising/counseling virtually and in person to high school students and their families, related to the full process of applying for, accepting, and utilizing financial aid and scholarships.
• Monitor student progress toward FAFSA/WAFSA completion and milestone achievement, making appropriate referrals for additional student support as needed.
• Serve as point of contact for questions from students, parents, high school staff, and college staff about the financial aid process, the Financial Aid Outreach HB1835 pilot program, and Olympic College entry points.
• Lead financial aid outreach and college affordability programming in collaboration with staff at Olympic College, Kitsap Strong, other community-based organizations, and assigned high schools. Collaborate with college, K-12, and community-based partners to build positive relationships and facilitate financial aid outreach activities tailored to diverse audiences and stakeholders.
• Facilitate activities, information sessions, and interventions aimed at increasing FAFSA/WASFA completion.
• Coordinate virtual and in-person financial aid-related events hosted by high school and community-based partners.
• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state regulations for federal and state financial aid.
• Monitor student progress and gather data to analyze identify trends in student outreach, financial aid progress, and financial aid completion and present findings to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid Outreach and other Financial Aid Outreach team members.
• Develop documents and forms needed for the Financial Aid Outreach program, in collaboration with Olympic College and partner high schools.
• Maintain case management data regarding interactions with students and families related to the completion of a FAFSA or WASFA.
• Maintain event data regarding attendance, participant information and high school enrollment.
• Maintain internal records regarding FAFSA completion rates to date for assigned high schools and key populations.