Financial Aid Assistant

Lees-McRae College • Banner Elk, NC

67d • Onsite

About The Position

Reporting to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Assistant will assist the Director and Assistant Director in the administration of the college's financial aid programs in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations. The assistant works in conjunction with the Office of Admissions to provide timely information and services to assist in reaching enrollment goals. This position will serve as the initial point of contact for current and prospective students as well as oversee the daily operations of the office including phones, mailings, data-entry and retrieval, and file organization.

Requirements

• Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects
• Strong organizational skills
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel)
• Ability to follow-up with students and families in a timely manner
• Excellent written and oral communications
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment during peak periods
• Effective critical thinking and problem solving skills
• Outstanding and professional customer service skills
• Team-oriented with ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external clients
• Associate's degree or equivalent required
• Strong customer service skills are required.
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner.
• Must possess a strong attention to detail, high level of accuracy, self-motivation, and the ability to handle a heavy workload.
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Must be willing to work additional hours when necessary.
• Demonstrated service aptitude with the ability to work independently as well as with a team.
• Thoroughness and follow through are a must.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are a necessity.
• Ability to manage multiple projects as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Ellucian Colleague
• Bachelor's degree preferred
• Knowledge of financial aid processes
• Experience managing federal and state financial aid programs

Responsibilities

• Serve as primary point of contact for current and prospective students.
• Counsel students and families using clear and understandable communication regarding the financial aid application process while providing prompt, factual responses and excellent customer service.
• Collect and maintain all required documents related to financial aid records in a manner which is consistent, organized, and meets all federal, state and institutional guidelines.
• Reviews and verifies student data and requests the necessary documents needed from students and families to complete their financial aid file.
• Perform a variety of moderately complex clerical and administrative tasks to determine eligibility and process financial aid offers.
• Make professional and appropriate decisions using critical thinking and resources as it relates to affordability and internal/external shareholders.
• Communicate with students and families to gather information and complete financial aid files.
• Maintain current knowledge of regulations, policies, application requirements and eligibility criteria for federal, state and institutional aid programs.
• Maintain compliance standards for federal and state financial aid programs; ensures conformance to federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
• Process, print, and mail financial aid notifications.
• Maintain integrity of student records and FERPA requirements.
• Prepare and maintain departmental files.
• Analyze various system-generated reports for the purpose of reconciliation.
• Participate in college outreach activities with emphasis in financial aid advising and services to current and prospective students. (i.e. Open Houses, High School FAFSA Nights, Scholars Day, etc.)
• Assist in preparation of statistical reports (i.e. Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), NCHEDS, and IPEDS)
• Other duties as requested or assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

Benefits

• Lees-McRae College offers a comprehensive benefits package that includes Highmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical plans with wellness incentives, Aetna dental coverage with orthodontia for children, and a voluntary vision plan for all employees.
• Life and long-term disability insurance are employer-paid, with optional voluntary life coverage available.
• Employees can take advantage of flexible spending accounts, a retirement plan with up to 5% employer match after one year, and generous paid time off including vacation, sick, personal, holiday, and college-closed days.
• Tuition waiver benefits are available for employees and dependents, along with access to a national tuition exchange program.
• Additional perks include free monthly dining, discounted meal plans, and required direct deposit for payroll.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Associate degree
• Number of Employees: 101-250 employees