Financial Aid Specialist

Cape Fear Community College•Wilmington - Downtown Campus, NC

4d•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Specialist serves as a primary point of contact for the Financial Aid Office by managing the main financial aid phone line and general financial aid email account, responding to inquiries, providing accurate information, and directing students to appropriate resources in a timely and professional manner. The Specialist promotes student access to financial aid through FAFSA outreach, application processing, and individualized student support. This position assists current and prospective students with financial aid eligibility, verification, application corrections, and related processes while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. The Specialist coordinates financial aid outreach and FAFSA completion activities, maintains accurate student records, provides exceptional customer service, and processes financial aid documentation to resolve eligibility issues and support timely awarding. Working collaboratively with campus departments, the Financial Aid Specialist supports efficient financial aid operations and helps ensure students have the resources needed to enroll, persist, and achieve their educational goals.

Requirements

Knowledge of operational characteristics, services and activities as they apply to a financial aid office.
Knowledge of pertinent federal, state, college and local policies, procedures, laws, codes and regulations governing financial aid programs.
Knowledge of Federal software and web-based financial aid products, such as FSA, NSLDS, and COD.
Knowledge of computer database applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and document imaging systems.
Knowledge of record keeping and reporting procedures.
Ability to interpret and clearly explain college financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations to students, families, and campus stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment while meeting established deadlines with accuracy and attention to detail.
Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team, maintaining a high level of professionalism and accountability.
Ability to build and maintain effective working relationships with students, colleagues, and internal/external partners.
Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse populations in a clear, concise, and professional manner.
Ability to promote a student-centered environment focused on access, inclusion, student success, and exceptional customer service.
Ability to collaborate effectively with Enrollment Services, Admissions, Business Office, Advising, Records, Workforce Development, and other departments to resolve student issues and support institutional goals.
Ability to ensure compliance with FERPA, federal Title IV regulations, state requirements, audit standards, and institutional policies while maintaining accurate and secure student records.
Ability to demonstrate professionalism, ethical conduct, confidentiality, and integrity in all aspects of work.
Ability to exercise flexibility to support evening, weekend, and off-site events as needed during peak periods and special initiatives.
Ability to contribute to continuous improvement efforts by identifying process efficiencies and supporting operational effectiveness initiatives.
Maintain effective audio-visual discrimination and perception needed for making observations, reading and writing, communicating with others, operating assigned equipment, and handling varied tasks simultaneously.
Maintain physical condition appropriate to the performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, which may include standing or sitting for extended periods of time, operating assigned equipment, handling varied tasks simultaneously, bending, stooping, climbing, or lifting up to 50 pounds.
Maintain mental capacity, which allows the capability of making sound decisions, responding to questions, and demonstrating intellectual capabilities.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree in business administration, accounting, public administration or related field.
Experience working in a college or university financial aid office.
Familiarity with Title IV regulations and compliance requirements.
Experience using Ellucian Colleague or similar student information systems.
Experience with financial aid processing systems such as COD, NSLDS, or StudentAid.gov.

Responsibilities

Serve as the primary point of contact for the Financial Aid Office by managing the main financial aid phone line and general financial aid email account, responding to inquiries, providing accurate information, and directing students to appropriate resources in a timely and professional manner.
Organize and facilitate FAFSA awareness and completion events, workshops, orientations, and outreach activities in collaboration with the CFCC Recruitment Team, Marketing & Community Relations, local high schools, community organizations, and campus partners.
Provide assistance to students and families with FAFSA completion, corrections, verification requirements, and related financial aid processes.
Resolve routine financial aid issues and escalate complex cases to appropriate staff members as needed.
Engage students, parents, and guardians to increase awareness of financial aid opportunities, application requirements, deadlines, scholarships, and the importance of FAFSA completion.
Review financial aid applications, corrections, and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy, completeness, and compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
Communicate with and provide customer service support to students, parents, faculty, and community members through email, phone, in-person, and digital platforms regarding eligibility, award status, required documentation, student portals, forms, and financial aid processes.
Maintain compliance with FERPA, federal Title IV regulations, state policies, and institutional procedures while safeguarding confidential student records.
Utilize Ellucian Colleague and other student information systems to process, update, maintain, and audit financial aid records and communications.
Participate in ongoing training and professional development to maintain regulatory knowledge, procedural compliance, and best practices in financial aid administration.
Collaborate with Student Services departments to support enrollment, retention, and student success initiatives as needed.
Assist with office operations including scanning, filing, document management, mailings, event preparation, and general administrative support.
Participate in institutional committees, enrollment initiatives, student engagement activities, commencement, and special events.
Perform other duties and special projects as assigned.