Program Specialist 2 - Disbursements

This position helps advance the equity-centered missions of Green River College by delivering student financial aid advising to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities. Under the general direction of the Assistant Director of Student Financial Aid, this position provides expertise in program, guidance, and support for identified student populations to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals. In order to promote equitable student access and success, the incumbent will work with students to make financial aid processes transparent and help navigate/dismantle barriers to accessing aid (particularly those impacting students of color and other marginalized groups), as well provide information/referral for other funding sources and perform other task related to the administration and implementation of the student financial aid programs.

ABOUT THE COLLEGE:

Green River College's student body is made up of approximately 41% Academic Transfer students, 34% Professional-Technical students, 15% Adult Basic Education student, and 3% Applied Bachelor degrees. Green River College has four campuses, including the main campus in Auburn, Washington, with satellite campuses in Kent, downtown Auburn, and Enumclaw. Green River programs serve high school graduates, Running Start students (dual enrollment in local high schools and the college), those seeking retraining for the workforce, international students, students learning English, and Continuing Education students. Green River's service areas are increasingly ethnically diverse, comprising African Americans, African immigrants, Asian Americans, Asians, Latinx, Native Americans, Pacific Islanders, and Middle Eastern Americans, among other communities.

COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY, EQUITY, AND INCLUSION:

We commit to be an anti-racist institution where all students, faculty, and staff receive the access, resources, and services needed to achieve their educational, career, and personal goals. Green River College makes social and economic justice, equity, and inclusion our highest priorities.

The Green River College definition of equity encompasses all identities, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, economic status, gender identity, sexual identity, disability, religion/spirituality, immigration status, age, and culture. We understand individual needs vary widely, and the effects of discrimination and historical oppression must be taken into account while aiming for equitable opportunities and outcomes for all.

Financial Aid Responsibilities

• Understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success, an equity lens is applied to:
  • Analyzing incoming financial aid applications and documentation for eligibility based on applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations
  • Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria
  • Read, interpret, and implement institutional, state, and federal regulations
  • Determine eligibility and award financial aid based on policies and regulatory requirements while adhering to internal awarding policies and compliance regulations
  • Evaluate satisfactory academic progress and assist with academic appeal process
  • Special projects as assigned by director and assistant director
• Evaluate student data in multiple database systems, such as: cashiering, financial aid, registration, and government databases; analyze data for reasonableness and consistency with other information, contacting outside parties or students when necessary for clarification, making determinations as to how this affects student eligibility, adjusting the aid package and notifying students of changes

Program Responsibilities

• Work closely with other disbursement team members, including other departments, to ensure that the disbursement timeline is met and the process is completed with agreed-upon frequency. Run and work appropriate reports and queries to resolve disbursement errors.
• Adjust and cancel aid based on student enrollment level as needed throughout each term. Notify students, as appropriate, to resolve any issues and keep students informed of their aid status. Work closely with awarders regarding conflicts in aid.
• Act as primary contact for third-party funding sources such as state and federal Department of Labor & Industries (L&I), Department of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR), and Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA). Set up student bookstore accounts and create cost estimates in accordance with FERPA requirements. Coordinate with Student Financials to resolve conflicts with third-party agencies.
• Act as primary contact for tribal funding sources. Provide needed support for indigenous and tribal-affiliated students in cooperation with the Indigenous Student Success Center. Complete Financial Need Analysis needed for students to receive tribal scholarships, in accordance with FERPA requirements.
• Oversee department purchasing card and reconcile transactions monthly. Support ordering of needed office supplies.
• Act as primary contact for consortium agreements. Work with students to receive necessary documents and verification of eligibility. Communicate with other institutions to coordinate processing of agreements. Confirm completion and continued eligibility for aid after end of term.
• Support initial review of incoming files to determine eligibility and prepare for awarding. Participate in review and processing of Satisfactory Academic Progress appeals.

Student Support

• Provide direct customer service through various formats including virtual, email, phone, and in-person, with excellent customer service skills focused on bringing racial equity and social justice equity lens.
• Exhibit cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in all interactions with students, faculty, staff and community members to who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities, and educational experiences.
• Independently advise students and parents regarding federal, state and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria, acknowledging and mitigating systemic barriers for first generation, undocumented, disabled, domestic violence-impacted and formerly justice-involved students.
• Counsel financial aid applicants on completion of complex application materials following federal and state guidelines, which may include interpretation and translation of unique, highly confidential and often complex circumstances. Understanding confidentiality can include immigration status, complex tax and income situations, and student and family barriers.
• Refer students and assist with funding options provided through state, federal, and other third-party agencies.
• Promote student engagement through campus involvement.
• Provide advocacy for historically underrepresented students.

Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Responsibilities

• Participate in workshops, discussions, and learning opportunities regularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion (GDEC training opportunities, Diversity Educational Series, departmental trainings and discussions).
• Implement equity tools and strategies obtained through various training opportunities to daily work.
• Actively support, engage in, and work to advance Green River College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
• Other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and the college.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate degree or two years in customer service and/or higher education
• Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite
• Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to evaluate aid applications
• Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality issues
• Ability to work independently in a self-directed capacity, as well as collaboratively in a team environment
• Ability to learn and accurately utilize various financial aid platforms and databases
• Ability to communicate effectively, both verbal and written, in English
• Ability to establish a student-centered environment providing excellent customer service with sensitivity and compassion
• Work effectively with colleagues and students of various cultural and socio-economic backgrounds
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and detail
• Ability to organize, prioritize, and schedule work to meet timelines

Preferred Qualifications:

• Two years of experience working in higher education, ideally in Financial Aid
• Bilingual in one of the top 8 languages in Green River's service area: Spanish, Dari, Somali, Ukrainian, Vietnamese, Marshallese, Punjabi, Arabic