Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Louisiana Community and Technical College System • Lafayette, LA

6d • $49,000 - $55,700 • Onsite

About The Position

South Louisiana Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Program Specialist for Workforce Programs within the Academic & Student Affairs department, specifically in the Financial Aid sub-department. This is an unclassified administrative/staff position with a salary range of $49,000.00 - $55,700.00. The role involves the technical processing and lifecycle management of federal Title IV aid programs, including Workforce Pell Grant and Louisiana state aid programs like M.J. Foster Promise. The specialist will monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding, serve as a subject matter expert for compliance reporting, and manage the technical packaging, awarding, and tracking of grants through the Banner Financial Aid Management System. Responsibilities also include conducting detailed reconciliation of federal and state funding accounts, administering Veteran (VA) education benefits, and developing/submitting mandated program reports. The position requires interfacing with external agencies and monitoring fund balances. A key aspect of the role is maintaining functional knowledge and ensuring compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, and professional guidelines. The position also involves making recommendations for operational improvements, handling sensitive situations with interpersonal skills, and using independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders and students. Collaboration with institutional VA contacts, providing status updates to the Associate Director, and working with program managers on funding and enrollment are also part of the role. The specialist must possess the ability to work necessary hours, maintain reliable attendance, and perform other duties to promote the college. Passing a pre-employment criminal background screen is required.

Requirements

• Three years of experience in a higher education financial aid office
• Demonstrated experience in student financial aid related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging required.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Ability to learn to operate College-specific software and applications.
• Criminal Background Clearance.
• Valid Driver’s License.
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to multi-task.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Workforce funding programs and Veteran Benefits administration.
• Experience working within Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Banner Financial Aid Management System, or other related programs.

Responsibilities

• Executes the technical processing and lifecycle management of federal Title IV aid programs, e.g. Workforce Pell Grant and Louisiana state aid programs, e.g. M.J. Foster Promise, including origination, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• In coordination with the Workforce and Economic Development department, monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding to qualifying students.
• Serves as an institutional subject matter expert for federal and state compliance reporting, including submission of required data to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
• Manages the technical packaging, awarding, and tracking of workforce education grants funded through the Banner Financial Aid Management System. Confirm attendance, enrollment, course data, charges, and eligibility for WORKFORCE students receiving various funding sources.
• Conducts detailed reconciliation of federal and state funding accounts in coordination with Student Accounts, ensuring fiscal accuracy of disbursements and resolving discrepancies between institutional records, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
• Administers Veteran (VA) education benefits in coordination with the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, including eligibility verification and compliance with Chapter 30, 33, and 35 benefit programs.
• Develops and submits federally and state-mandated program reports (e.g., Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), state grant performance data, and workforce grant expenditure reports. Advanced data analysis and regulatory knowledge required.
• Interfaces directly with external state agencies (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance), Common Origination and Disbursement systems (Department of Education), and Enrollment Manager software (Veteran Affairs) to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues, operating with a higher degree of regulatory authority and inter-agency coordination.
• Monitors dedicated workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditure purposes, coordinating with program managers and Student Accounts to ensure proper draw-down of state and federal funds.
• Maintain functional knowledge and ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines regarding federal and state aid programs.
• Make recommendations regarding operations, policies, and processes to achieve continual improvement and efficiency.
• Demonstrate an elevated level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.
• Collaborate with institution VA Primary contact, to maintain and remain abreast of all VA policies and procedures.
• Provide updates to the Associate Director Programs and Compliance on the status of outstanding student applications and awards.
• Work with program managers concerning availability of funding resources and student enrollment.
• Possess the ability and endurance necessary to work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Predictable and reliable attendance is required to provide consistency and continuity of the business services provided to the college.
• Perform other duties that will assist in promoting the college within the community.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.
• Other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Retirement
• Multiple medical insurance options
• Supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.)
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some child care and medical expenses)
• Holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas)
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits
• Employee Assistance Program

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed