Financial Aid Specialist II

Florida Gateway College • Lake City, FL

123d

About The Position

This position provides advanced support in the administration of financial aid programs and services for students. At this level, the specialist is expected to take a lead role in administering the Federal Direct Loan Program, coordinating The Foundation Scholarships, and troubleshooting complex aid issues. The successful candidate will have a passion for excellence and a commitment to providing exceptional customer service. It requires phenomenal organizational skills, the ability to prioritize and multitask. An employee in a position allocated to this class will serve as a knowledgeable resource in the completion of the scholarship applications, addressing inquiries, maintaining student financial aid records, collecting documents, and ensuring that students are well-informed about the various financial aid programs available to them.

Requirements

• Knowledge of federal and state laws, procedures and guidelines.
• Knowledge of accounting procedures.
• Familiarity with various software applications, including Microsoft and Excel.
• Ability to keep accurate and complete records.
• Experience in retrieving and updating information in Banner or other database system.
• Ability to apply principles of logical and critical thinking to define problems, collect data, establish facts and draw valid conclusions.
• Ability to exercise independent initiative and judgement.
• Knowledge and skill in general office procedures with strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage high volume records and files.
• Ability to work under pressure.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to communicate with a broad array of individuals from various backgrounds.
• Ability to relate to students, other college personnel and community members.
• Ability to speak in front of large crowds.

Nice To Haves

• Associate in Arts degree in appropriate area plus three years of records management experience preferably with one-year financial aid experience.
• High School diploma plus five years of records experience, one of which preferably is in a financial aid area.
• Very computer literate.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for determining student eligibility for various financial aid programs, including Federal Direct Loans (Subsidized, Unsubsidized, and PLUS loans) and the Foundation Scholarships.
• Originate, monitor, and reconcile Federal Direct Loans in coordination with the U.S. Department of Education and institutional systems.
• Perform Direct Loan certification, entrance and exit counseling tracking, and ensure accurate and timely disbursement.
• Administer the institution's Foundation Scholarships, including application intake, review, eligibility assessment, and award coordination.
• Collaborate with the Foundation Office, donors, and committees to ensure compliance with donor criteria and institutional guidelines.
• Collaborate with student accounts and the Business Office on loan refunds and reconciliation.
• Provide detailed counseling to students and families on loan responsibilities, repayment options, and borrowing limits.
• Monitor academic progress to ensure continued eligibility for loans and other aid.
• Contribute to audits, compliance reporting, and annual loan reconciliation processes.
• Support financial aid outreach, orientations, loan workshops, and default prevention activities.
• Provide extraordinary service to both internal and external customers within the organization.
• Assist with the completion FAFSA and scholarship applications, maintain records, and assist in collection of documents.

Benefits

• Equal Access/Equal Opportunity Policy
• Benefit package to full-time employees

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Educational Services
• Education Level: Associate degree