Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Louisiana Community and Technical College System • Lafayette, LA

4d • $49,000 - $55,700

About The Position

The Financial Aid Program Specialist administers federal Title IV, Louisiana state aid, workforce education grant, scholarship, and Veteran education benefit programs at South Louisiana Community College. The role handles technical processing and lifecycle management, including eligibility verification, packaging, awarding, disbursement, reconciliation, attendance and enrollment confirmation, and tracking student funding through the Banner Financial Aid Management System.

The specialist serves as an institutional subject matter expert for federal and state compliance reporting, prepares required program and expenditure reports, monitors fund balances, and reconciles accounts with Student Accounts and external systems and agencies. The position coordinates with Workforce and Economic Development, program managers, the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, the Associate Director Programs and Compliance, and state and federal agencies to resolve eligibility, funding, and compliance issues.

The role also recommends improvements to policies and processes, advises stakeholders using independent professional judgment, provides sensitive and confidential customer service, and supports institutional operations and community relations. A passing pre-employment criminal background screen and valid driver’s license are required.

Requirements

• At least 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 interpersonal and customer service skills, including the ability to interact with a diverse population.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret business and professional materials, technical procedures, and governmental regulations; write reports, correspondence, and procedure manuals; and present information effectively.
• Ability to work with mathematical concepts and apply fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Ability to solve practical problems with limited standardization and interpret written, oral, diagram, or schedule-based instructions.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word, and ability to learn College-specific software and applications.
• Criminal background clearance and a 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 the lifecycle of federal Title IV aid programs, including Workforce Pell Grant, and Louisiana state aid programs, including 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 submission of required data to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
• Manage workforce education grant packaging, awarding, and tracking through the Banner Financial Aid Management System; confirm attendance, enrollment, course data, charges, and eligibility for workforce students.
• Reconcile federal and state funding accounts with Student Accounts, ensure accurate disbursements, 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 required federal and state program reports, including FISAP, state grant performance data, and workforce grant expenditure reports.
• Work with external state agencies, COD, and Veteran Affairs Enrollment Manager software to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues.
• Monitor workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditures, and coordinate with program managers and Student Accounts on proper draw-down of state and federal funds.
• Maintain functional knowledge of and ensure compliance with laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines concerning federal and state aid programs.
• Recommend operational, policy, and process improvements to promote continual improvement and efficiency.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders, interpret information, and seek equitable student outcomes while handling sensitive and confidential situations.
• Collaborate with the institution’s VA Primary contact to maintain current knowledge of VA policies and procedures.
• Update the Associate Director Programs and Compliance on outstanding student applications and awards.
• Work with program managers regarding funding availability and student enrollment.
• Maintain reliable attendance, work the hours needed to complete the job, and perform duties that support promotion of the college within the community.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

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 some child care and medical expenses.
• 14 holidays per year, typically including a longer break at Christmas.
• Annual (vacation) leave and sick leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.

What This Job Offers

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