Financial Aid Scholarship Program Specialist

Job Description

Position Title

Financial Aid Scholarship Program Specialist

Special Instructions to Applicants

NOTE: New employees will be placed at the first step which is $62,268 per year, second step $65,424 per year or third step at $68,724 per year (depending upon experience). Based on current salary placement guidelines, all step increases for which an employee becomes eligible shall take place on July 1st of each fiscal year. These increases will occur, on annual basis, until the maximum step of $75864 per year is reached on the salary schedule.

Our Vision for Social Justice

We are seeking people who recognize the critical role community colleges play in social justice, who have ability in this space, enthusiasm for this work, ideas and vision to improve our approaches, and a commitment to achieving equitable academic success for the 50,000+ students attending our five beautiful colleges and centers. Our social justice work calls for employees who have a sense of social responsibility, interest in our community and world in which we live.

The intention of social justice work is to strengthen humanity by understanding that every person deserves the benefits of fully participating in our society and institutions.

Academic researchers have illustrated that crucial social justice principles are a compilation of equality, equity, diversity, inclusion, engagement, environmental sustainability and human rights. These complex principles are challenging to operationalize in higher education; yet we are steadfast in our diligence to forge ahead to advance this vital mission.

Community colleges are uniquely positioned to lead higher education in the work of social justice. Many of our students come from historically underserved and underrepresented backgrounds; students of color, students with recent immigrant histories, students from cycles of low income if not poverty, students from indigenous communities, and students from first-generation families.

The idea of promoting social mobility through education is unconditionally and uncompromisingly embraced by community colleges. This is an exciting role, and it comes with a heavy responsibility. Simply put, we need to create environments where our students achieve greater academic success, so much so that we close our persistent equity/opportunity gaps.

If you are committed to social and racial justice and if you are interested in joining a community dedicated to solving these inequities through education, please apply.

Recruitment Type:

Open (Internal and External applicants)

Location

Contra Costa College

Posting Number

0002280

# of Openings

1

Range

56

Salary

YEARLY: $62,268, step 1 - $75,864, step 5 (see special instructions for initial step placement)

Position Status

Permanent

Overtime Status

Non-Exempt (eligible)

Position

Full-Time

# of Hours Scheduled Per Week

40

Work Schedule By Day and Work Hours

Monday – Friday
8:00am – 5:00pm

# of Months

12

EEO Job Category

Clerical/Secretarial

Employee Group

Classified

Department

C1030-Financial Aid Office

Position Definition

To perform a variety of complex activities involving the dissemination of financial aid information to students; to perform technical and clerical tasks in the maintenance and documentation of financial aid information; and to coordinate the administration of the student scholarship program at the college.

Examples of Duties/Essential Functions

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Implements and coordinates the scholarship program, including promoting the program, serving as secretary to the selection committee, scheduling interviews between students and scholarship donors, working with the community processing new sources of scholarships, and coordinating related award ceremonies.
• Gives presentations to various groups regarding the financial aid programs that are available.
• Provides applications, information, and assistance to students regarding available financial aid programs, such as grants, loans, scholarships, and work study opportunities.
• Reviews financial aid application forms for accuracy and completeness; secures additional information from students as necessary; processes applications using District, state, and federal databases; prepares and maintains student files.
• Provides direct loan entrance counseling to students.
• Determines student eligibility for financial aid based upon student needs and program guidelines, policies and procedures; creates aid packages; notifies students of awards or denial of awards.
• Maintains state and federal financial aid consumer information, applications, and forms; maintains office supplies.
• Stays current with relevant laws, rules and regulations through ongoing training attendance.
• Develops and modifies forms and procedures to ensure compliance with changing District, state and federal regulations.
• Compiles, analyzes and maintains data for record maintenance and preparation of various reports.
• Processes Federal Work Study (FWS) paperwork; compiles statistical data; processes changes in student allocations; reviews Federal Work Study payment register and processes "Non-College Work Study” earnings.
• Monitors Federal Work Study program allocation, facilitates Federal Work Study hiring, and reviews monthly timecards.
• Programs and maintains requirements for evaluations in degree audits; maintains certificates and transfer evaluations in college degree audit system.
• Maintains the departments website by updating published information as required.
• Assists in the reconciliation of financial aid programs and student files.
• Processes correspondence received by department via mail, email, and fax.
• Participates in on-campus and district-wide committees, particularly related to financial aid best practices
• Participates in outreach events to disseminate financial aid information.
• Performs related duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualification-Education/Experience

EXPERIENCE AND TRAINING
Three (3) years of experience performing responsible journey-level financial aid duties in a community college or other institution of higher education.

EDUCATION / LICENSE OR CERTIFICATE
Possession of a high school diploma/GED or the equivalent.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Must not have any unresolved financial issues with the U. S. Department of Education that would prohibit the ability to obtain National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) access immediately upon employment.

Minimum Qualification-Knowledge Of

Knowledge of:
General methods and procedures of recordkeeping.
Modern office procedures, practices and technology/equipment.
Modern software applications (Microsoft Office Suite, etc.).
Financial aid databases and websites used in the course of work, including FAFSA.gov, Central Processing System for Financial Aid Administrators Access, National Student Loan Database, Common Origination and Disbursement, and WebGrants.
Basic human relation skills, methods, and techniques to conduct interviews, convey technical information, resolve conflicts, and facilitate problem resolution.

Minimum Qualification-Ability To

Skill/Ability to:
Support complex financial aid applications through the use of technology and relevant software.
Provide accurate and complete information to supervisor, students and other financial aid personnel.
Understand, interpret and apply relevant District, state and federal regulations, procedures and policies related to available loans and grants for students.
Perform responsibilities with independence and a high level of judgment, often under time pressure.
Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing.
Handle sensitive or confidential materials and situations.
Refer students to other available programs and services.
Make mathematical calculations accurately.
Identify and interpret pertinent financial information.
Adapt to changing regulations.
Perform a variety of clerical and recordkeeping tasks with accuracy using appropriate technology.
Serve students, staff and colleagues in a helpful and professional manner.
Establish and maintain effective work relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
Demonstrate understanding of, sensitivity to, and respect for the diverse academic, socio-economic, race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, mental or physical disability, and religious background of all students, faculty and staff, and with all individuals encountered in the performance of required duties.

Desirable Qualifications

• Experience with Financial Aid outreach activities.
• Experience processing financial aid reports using Microsoft Excel.