Financial Aid Technician

Dine College•Shiprock, NM

11d•Onsite

About The Position

The Financial Aid Technician will perform clerical duties specific to awarding of Title IV Pell Grant to include helping students process paperwork, data entry, and serving as the point of contact for the Office of Financial Aid. The successful candidate will have knowledge of financial aid programs, policies, and procedures, and the ability to maintain good working relationships with students, parents, and co-workers. The candidate will oversee the Federal Work-Study Program.

Requirements

A Bachelor's Degree is required.
Must have a minimum of 1 year of work experience in student financial aid.
Minimum of 2 years of experience in collecting data and entry of various data sources
Good Communication skills, both oral and written
Ability to work well with various departments while processing student-submitted information in an efficient and timely manner
Ability to handle large volumes of work, keep track of many details, and perform work with a high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment
Computer skills and knowledge of software, including Word, Excel, Access, and PowerPoint, are also required.
Operate office equipment such as PC, printers, Fax, scanners, etc.
Proficiency in the use of PowerFaids, Jenzabar, computer MS Office Software Applications (Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Access, Outlook)
Ability to analyze and interpret data
Ability to prioritize information in a timely manner
Ability to communicate clearly by phone and in person
Detail-oriented and able to organize and manage multiple projects while maintaining a high level of accuracy
Ability to handle multiple tasks and issues
Ability to understand and explain to others technical information in a manner that is easily understood.
Valid State Driver's License

Nice To Haves

A Master's degree is preferred.
Federal Work-Study or State Work-Study experience in financial aid is a plus
Oral fluency in Navajo is highly desirable, but not mandatory.
Ability to speak Navajo is a plus.

Responsibilities

Collect and/or review financial aid applications to determine completeness and eligibility for aid
Verifies accuracy of documents and consistency of data from the need analysis processor, federal tax returns, financial aid transcript verification document, and student information.
Awarding students federal Title IV for both validated and non-validated students.
Requests additional information for incomplete or inconsistent applications to perform accurate need analysis
Revise student award packages according to policy guidelines governing modification when warranted.
Responsible for administering specific financial aid programs, including eligibility determination, record maintenance, and reporting
Independently interview and advise students and parents, faculty, and staff in person, via phone, or by email regarding student financial aid eligibility, policies, procedures, regulations, deadlines, and availability of funds for financial aid
Review and track SAP on all Students
Denies student financial aid if he/she is determined ineligible.
Responsible for the management of the Federal Work-Study program, including awarding, work authorization, monitoring student hours and earnings, reconciling the program funds, and ensuring the federal allocation is properly spent.
Must ensure that at least one student is employed as a reading tutor for children in a reading tutoring project or performing family literacy project.
Prepare monthly usage reports.
Coordinate the assessment activities for the Work-Study Program including Federal setting Work-study goals and priorities, clarifying policy, and developing internal control procedures; reconciling funding to ensure institutional compliance to demonstrate administrative capabilities; collaborate with the payroll office and Department of Human Resources to ensure students payroll sources and work statuses are properly coded in the system.
Assist in the development of financial aid policies and the delivery of specific financial aid program procedures, counseling students, conducting financial aid workshops/ seminars/training sessions, and monitoring the aid program to ensure compliance with the federal aid regulations and policies.
Performs data analysis to identify discrepancies in data and determines actions for resolution; maintain accurate student financial aid record-keeping; compile reports as required by funding agency; weekly reports that include updates and/or concerns; Bi-Weekly federal work-study reports; Ensuring students who receive Title IV funding do not exceed their Cost of Attendance budgets.
Participates in annual audit of student records.
Provide program coordinator and Academic Advisors with financial aid information and services through multiple methods of communication
Respond to the academic calendar of financial aid activities to ensure deadlines are met
Maintain strict compliance with confidentiality requirements
Maintain open communication with Financial Aid Manager, Financial Aid Officer, and Financial Aid Coordinators when assigned various financial aid-related projects
Work with Powerfaids, Jenzabar
Other Duties as Assigned