Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Job Details • Lafayette, LA

3d

About The Position

South Louisiana Community College is hiring a Financial Aid Program Specialist to administer workforce-related financial aid and grant programs within Financial Aid. The role manages the technical processing and lifecycle of federal Title IV and Louisiana state aid, including origination, disbursement, reconciliation, student eligibility, and compliance reporting. In coordination with Workforce and Economic Development, program managers, Student Accounts, and the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, the specialist supports workforce education grants, scholarships, and Veteran education benefits. The position also communicates with state and federal agencies and related systems to resolve eligibility, funding, and compliance issues.

The specialist applies regulatory knowledge and advanced data analysis to prepare required federal and state reports, monitor funding balances, and maintain fiscal accuracy. The role also supports continuous improvement, advises stakeholders using independent professional judgment, provides application and award updates to the Associate Director Programs and Compliance, and helps promote the college in the community. A criminal background clearance and valid driver’s license are required.

Requirements

• Three years of professional experience in higher education financial aid, banking, consumer lending, regulatory compliance, or public program administration.
• Demonstrated experience in eligibility determination, financial counseling or advisory services, auditing or verification, case management, or grant processing.
• Strong people and customer service skills, including the ability to interact with a diverse population.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business publications, professional journals, technical procedures, and governmental regulations.
• Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals, and to present information and respond to questions from varied audiences.
• Ability to apply mathematical concepts, including probability, statistical inference, fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions, to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems in situations with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagrammatic, or scheduled instructions.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and ability to learn college-specific software and applications.
• Criminal background clearance.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Ability to establish priorities, meet deadlines, multitask, and work in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and endurance to work the hours needed to complete the job; predictable and reliable attendance is required.

Nice To Haves

• Three years of experience in higher education financial aid, banking, consumer lending, regulatory compliance, or public assistance or grant administration, with demonstrated experience in financial advising, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, or fund packaging.
• Experience administering or coordinating workforce development grants, specialized funding programs, or Veteran education or military benefits.
• Hands-on experience with financial, student, or compliance database management systems such as Banner, COD, NSLDS, or comparable enterprise financial software or CRMs.

Responsibilities

• Process and manage federal Title IV aid, including Workforce Pell Grant, and Louisiana state aid programs, including the M.J. Foster Promise, through origination, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• Coordinate with Workforce and Economic Development to monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding to qualifying students.
• Serve as an institutional subject matter expert for federal and state compliance reporting, including required submissions to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
• Manage the technical packaging, awarding, and tracking of workforce education grants through the Banner Financial Aid Management System.
• Confirm attendance, enrollment, course data, charges, and eligibility for workforce students receiving funding.
• Reconcile federal and state funding accounts with Student Accounts and resolve discrepancies among institutional records, COD, and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
• Administer Veteran education benefits in coordination with the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, including eligibility verification and compliance with Chapter 30, 33, and 35 programs.
• Develop and submit federally and state-mandated program reports, including FISAP, state grant performance data, and workforce grant expenditure reports.
• Work with external state agencies, federal systems, and Veteran Affairs software to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues.
• Monitor workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditure purposes, coordinating appropriate draw-downs of state and federal funds.
• Maintain functional knowledge of and compliance with laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines for federal and state aid programs.
• Recommend operational, policy, and process improvements to increase efficiency.
• Handle sensitive and confidential situations with strong interpersonal skills and use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders and support equitable student outcomes.
• Collaborate with the institution’s VA contact to stay current on VA policies and procedures.
• Provide the Associate Director Programs and Compliance with updates on outstanding student applications and awards.
• Work with program managers regarding funding availability and student enrollment.
• Maintain reliable attendance and work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Perform other related duties as assigned and assist in promoting the college within the community.

Benefits

• Retirement benefits.
• Multiple medical insurance options.
• Supplemental insurance options, including dental, term life, disability, accident, and vision insurance.
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan for certain child care and medical expenses.
• 14 holidays per year, typically including a longer break at Christmas.
• Annual (vacation) leave and sick leave.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

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