Financial Aid Specialist II

Coconino Community College • Flagstaff (Lone Tree Campus), AZ

8d

About The Position

The Financial Aid Specialist II works within the Office of Student Financial Aid and Veterans Services, handling confidential student information and assisting students and parents with financial aid in person, by email, video conference, and by phone. The role reviews and verifies student files, interprets federal, state, and institutional regulations, and supports office and College functions as needed. Peak periods involve a heavy workload and may require occasional non-standard work hours. This is a full-time, 12-month, benefit-eligible position.

The position advises students, parents, visitors, and employees about financial aid processes, policies, and procedures; evaluates and processes financial aid documentation and eligibility; and uses College and Department of Education systems. It also supports student loan default prevention, payment and reconciliation processes, employee and student-worker training, outreach presentations, and Veterans Services coverage. The position may involve cross-training and occasional travel to regional trainings.

The minimum qualification is an associate degree in Business Administration or a related field and two years of related experience, four years of related experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to perform the essential duties. Experience with complex information systems such as Ellucian Banner is preferred. Work is indoors in an environment with minimal safety considerations and usually moderate noise. The job involves extended sitting, frequent use of hands and office equipment, occasional standing and walking, and occasional lifting or moving of items weighing up to 20 pounds.

Requirements

• Associate's degree in Business Administration or a related field and two years of related experience; or four years of related experience; or an equivalent combination of education and experience sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties, as approved by Human Resources.
• Knowledge of automated processing systems.
• Knowledge of government rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures related to financial aid.
• Skill using computer software such as Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Ability to work in a multicultural, diverse environment and interact successfully with others in a supportive, collaborative, and positive manner.
• Ability to multitask.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with complex information systems such as Ellucian Banner products.

Responsibilities

• Advise students, parents, visitors, and College employees about financial aid processes, policies, and procedures through phone, email, video conferencing, letters, and in-person interactions.
• Provide limited educational advisement and refer students to Academic Advisement, Registration and Enrollment Services, and other support offices as needed.
• Review and verify student, spouse, and parent documentation for completeness, compliance, and authenticity, following information-protection policies for sensitive or confidential information.
• Log documentation in the Banner computer system and scan or import images into the document imaging system.
• Calculate students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress.
• Process consortium agreements, loan default prevention communications, third-party agency requests, tribal financial need analysis documents, and internal College documents accurately.
• Communicate professionally with College departments and outside agencies, including loan servicing agencies, tribal agencies, and other colleges.
• Conduct loan default prevention activities, including phone calls, emails, and letters.
• Evaluate, certify, review, and verify financial aid files to determine eligibility.
• Manage and respond to the financial aid general email account and voicemails.
• Perform Coursework in Program of Study (CPOS) processing.
• Use the National Student Loan Data Service, FAA Access to CPS, and other Department of Education systems.
• Back up the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Advisor with check deposits and EFT transfers; ensure information is entered into Banner and reconciled monthly.
• Assist with training Federal Work Study employees and conduct training for new employees and student workers.
• Support other financial aid staff with file uploads and downloads and report processing; cross-train within Financial Aid, other College offices, and financial aid officers at other institutions.
• Present financial aid topics to groups of parents and students at College campuses and around Coconino County.
• Back up the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Advisor by working with Veterans in the Veteran Center as needed and complete required annual training to maintain certifying official requirements.
• Assist in creating or maintaining financial aid and Veteran instructional videos using video editing software.
• Follow the Office of Student Financial Aid code of conduct and ethical guidelines.
• Use standard office equipment, serve on committees as assigned to full-time regular employees, and perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Benefit-eligible employees receive an additional $6,720 per year to apply toward benefit costs or take as additional pay.
• 21 paid holidays, including a full week off between Christmas and New Year’s Day and over Spring Break.
• Approximately 17 paid vacation days accrued annually.
• Approximately 9 paid sick leave days accrued annually.
• Health insurance and other coverage are available; details are provided on the College’s full-time benefits page.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: Associate degree