Financial Aid Technician (IN-HOUSE ONLY)

Coast Community College District•Costa Mesa, CA

11d•Onsite

About The Position

Orange Coast College (OCC) is seeking equity-minded individuals for a classified employee role as a Financial Aid Technician under the Student Services Wing, as part of the Financial Aid Department. This position is open to internal permanent and temporary Coast Community College District (CCCD) employees only. The Financial Aid Technician is the second level in a multi-tiered career path for financial aid transaction processing. The role involves performing specialized clerical and technical duties related to processing and storing information for student grant and other financial aid programs, maintaining student financial obligation records, and providing technical assistance and information to students, staff, and the public. The ideal candidate will share OCC’s dedication to transforming lives through education and have a strong commitment to serving a diverse student population.

Requirements

Requires a working knowledge of the policies and procedures associated with federal, state, and local financial aid programs including grants and waivers.
Requires a working knowledge of federal and institutional satisfactory academic progress policies.
Requires a working knowledge of regulations and institutional policies relevant to admissions, registration, accounts payable, and financial aid practices.
Requires knowledge of and skills with routine office policies, procedures and equipment, including PCs and applicable student information databases, word processing and spreadsheet applications.
Requires sufficient English language skills to prepare routine correspondence.
Requires sufficient human relation skills to provide general information to student-customers, exercise patience when dealing with students, resolve confrontations, and convey a positive image of the college.
Requires sufficient math skills to compute principal, interest, sums, percentages, and ratios.
Requires the ability to perform the essential responsibilities and functions of the position.
Requires the ability to perform all of the duties of the position efficiently and effectively.
Requires the ability to perform financial record keeping, data entry, file maintenance, and report writing duties.
Requires the ability to communicate program elements and requirements with students, faculty and outside agencies/customers.
Requires the ability to instruct students on the financial aid application process and to resolve conflict.
Ability to perform data entry onto an automated information system.
May require the ability to perform assignments on varying work schedules.
High School diploma or equivalent and two years of related work experience such as in customer service, student admissions, financial aid, or basic accounting.
Additional higher education may substitute for some experience.
Any combination of education and experience which would provide the required equivalent qualifications for the position.
Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S.
Provide a Certificate of Tuberculosis Exam for initial appointment (Note: The certificate must be renewed every 4 years as a condition of continuing employment).
Have fingerprints taken by a Live Scan computer at the candidate’s expense. (Clearance must be received before the first day of employment.)
Present original documents for proof of eligibility to work in the United States.
Participate in a new hire onboarding appointment with an Employment Services Representative.
A complete Coast Community College District Online Employment Application.
Responses to Supplemental Questions (please provide clear and detailed responses, as they will be carefully evaluated to determine the most qualified candidate(s) to be invited for an interview; please do not paste your resume, put "see resume" or "N/A", or leave blank).
A Cover Letter highlighting your experiences relevant to this position and addressing the minimum and essential qualifications, including your demonstrated evidence of D.E.I.A. (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Access). (upload as a separate attachment - PDF recommended).
A Current Resume of professional and educational background and experience (upload as a separate attachment - PDF recommended).

Nice To Haves

Advancement to Technician requires two or more years in the capacity of a Financial Aid Assistant and the ability to demonstrate a working knowledge of loan and grant programs, to determine eligibility and loan amounts, and to resolve application discrepancies.
Advancement to Specialist is based on need and requires three years as a Technician, advanced knowledge of financial aid programs, the ability to update financial aid tables used in student information systems, and the ability to package financial aid applications and awards.

Responsibilities

Serves as first point of contact for the office on phones and at front counter. Disseminates general financial aid information to students and the public.
Explains the approved eligibility, requirements for program qualification and compliance, and program options so that students make informed decisions about their obligations.
Instructs students in correct procedures for completion of forms and applications, special requirements and restrictions, and supporting documentation such as tax returns, income and housing verifications, and transcripts. Reviews completed forms for accuracy and completeness.
Assists students and parents with FAFSA financial aid applications, processing procedures, and interpreting policies of the funding organizations. Explains the different types of financial aid programs, including obligations and payment schedules.
Performs basic troubleshooting of problems associated with financial aid accounts, student status, and computer-aided files.
Prepare standardized correspondence for/to students, verifying status and other information.
Performs miscellaneous clerical duties for the office such as updating policy and procedure manuals and award tables, editing student files, replenishing forms and communication devices, collecting data for reports, and preparing general correspondence.
Assists students to understand the relationship between financial aid awards and course load, grades, and other student achievement factors.
Sets up appointments for financial aid counseling with Specialists.
Conducts financial aid presentation and participate in outreach activities both on and off campus.
Performs other related duties as assigned that support the objective of the position.
Required to abide by all District policies and procedures including Board Policy 3050 – Code of Professional Ethics.