Financial Aid Specialist

Blackfeet Community College•Browning, MT

22d•Onsite

About The Position

Incumbent is under the general direction of the Financial Aid Director and is responsible for assisting the student in a wide range of information, concerns, problems, and instructions related to the Financial Aid area that students encounter while entering and attending college, in maintaining office procedures in accordance to Federal rules and regulations and in supporting and maintenance the filing system for all phases of financial aid, student records, programs and documentation in the Financial Aid Department to accomplish the department and BFCC goals and objectives in accordance with the established BFCC standards and procedures.

Requirements

Associate degree required in Business, Accounting, Information Systems, Education, or a closely related field.
Minimum of two (2) years of experience working in: Financial Aid, Student Services, Higher Education Administration, Veterans Services, Or a comparable regulatory or compliance-based office.
Demonstrated experience working with complex procedures, regulations, and confidential student records.
Ability to interpret and apply federal financial aid regulations, including but not limited to: FAFSA processing, FERPA compliance, Title IV programs
Strong customer service experience assisting students and their families.
Proficiency in computer systems, including student information systems, databases, and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook) and Google Systems (Gmail, Docs, Sheets).
Position requires a successful background investigation.
PowerFAids/Jenzabar Program knowledge and training are required. However, if the incumbent lacks this knowledge, training will be provided.
Proficient in computer knowledge.
Extensive knowledge of all financial aid programs, rules and regulations, BFCC policies and procedures, and accounting principles.
Extensive customer service experience.
Strong writing and verbal communication skills.
Human relations and presentation skills required.
Detail-oriented with planning skills.
Keyboarding and a functional knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, data entry, and database management.
Mathematical skills to make calculations and reconcile records.
Good problem-solving skills.
Computer skills (data entry, document imaging, and word processing) required.
Excellent organizational skills.
Ability to maintain accurate records and convey complex technical information to students, staff, and the public.
Ability to operate electronic, photocopier, or other standard office machines.
Ability to maintain complex filing systems and records.
Ability to work independently and as a team member, use judgment and discretion, prioritize work and meet deadlines, and be accurate and attentive to details.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
Excellent interpersonal skills
Ability to work accurately and pay close attention to details
Ability to apply critical thinking skills; ability to perform multiple tasks with frequent interruptions
Ability to analyze data, forecast, and plan
Work under pressure, solve problems, accept and implement change.

Responsibilities

Advise and assist students with financial aid applications and other issues and concerns as they arise
Coordinate and work with students and parents on the FAFSA, inform students of missing information, and educate students on other financial aid programs, but are not limited to: Federal Pell Grant, Federal Student Loans, State, local, and institutional scholarships.
Maintain scholarship listings on the computer and on the bulletin board; provide the most current data available to students; and aid students in uploading photos and documents, brochures, and in scanning and emailing such material, in relation to the scholarship requirements. Work with the BFCC Media Specialist on marketing items and updates to scholarships, emails, FAFSA, disbursement dates, etc.
Collect and process documentation required for verification of a student's financial aid application in accordance with federal regulations.
Conduct financial aid informational presentations to special groups as needed.
Assist with reporting by collecting data for annual reports.
Keep a daily log of activities.
Assist in the management of the student's financial aid file
Assist in updating financial aid forms, when needed
Computer data entry and other related duties as assigned
Maintain proper records retention policy and documentation of Financial Aid records and storage
Attend training workshops and conferences to learn and stay current on financial aid regulations and processing.
Work overtime, weekends, evenings during peak processing seasons
Perform other duties as assigned by the Financial Aid Director