Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Job Details • Lafayette, LA

4d • Onsite

About The Position

South Louisiana Community College is seeking a Financial Aid Program Specialist for its Workforce Programs. This role is responsible for the technical processing and lifecycle management of federal and state aid programs, ensuring compliance, and providing support to students and internal departments. The specialist will act as a subject matter expert for financial aid regulations and systems, manage grant funding, and reconcile financial accounts.

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.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word).
• Ability to learn to operate College-specific software and applications.
• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines.
• Ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment.
• Criminal Background Clearance.
• Valid Driver’s License.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with Workforce funding programs.
• Experience with 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.
• Monitors, packages, and awards workforce education grant funding to qualifying students in coordination with the Workforce and Economic Development department.
• 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.
• Confirms 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.
• 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., FISAP, state grant performance data, workforce grant expenditure reports).
• Interfaces directly with external state agencies (LOSFA), COD systems, and Enrollment Manager software to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues.
• Monitors dedicated workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditure purposes, coordinating with program managers and Student Accounts.
• Maintains functional knowledge and ensures compliance with all laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines regarding federal and state aid programs.
• Makes recommendations regarding operations, policies, and processes to achieve continual improvement and efficiency.
• Demonstrates an elevated level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Uses independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.
• Collaborates with institution VA Primary contact to maintain and remain abreast of all VA policies and procedures.
• Provides updates to the Associate Director Programs and Compliance on the status of outstanding student applications and awards.
• Works with program managers concerning availability of funding resources and student enrollment.
• Possesses the ability and endurance necessary to work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Maintains predictable and reliable attendance.
• Performs other duties that will assist in promoting the college within the community.
• Performs other related duties as required or 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