Financial Aid Technician (Ridgecrest)

Kern Community College District•Ridgecrest, CA

About The Position

Under the direction of an assigned supervisor, the Financial Aid Technician performs technical financial aid duties, including interviewing students and assisting with determinations of financial aid and work-study eligibility and award levels. The position helps students understand financial aid program policies and procedures. The technician reviews applications, analyzes financial need, packages awards, and implements federal, state, and local loan, scholarship, and grant programs. The role oversees campus grant programs, awards and reconciles funds, maintains recipient records, prepares reports, and adjusts budgets and awards as needed. It also supports work-study job placements and employment documentation, communicates decisions about appeals and program status, assists veterans with benefits forms, and conducts financial aid workshops at high schools. The position works with students, community agencies, government agencies, financial assistance organizations, lending institutions, and college committees. It may assist with planning and directing the work of clerical and student financial aid staff.

Requirements

Any combination equivalent to an associate degree in business administration, social sciences, or a related field and two years of increasingly responsible experience in financial and/or budget data.
Knowledge of federal and state rules and regulations pertaining to financial aid applications and eligibility.
Knowledge of scholarship, grant, loan, award, work-study, job placement, and veterans’ programs and their requirements.
Knowledge of financial aid application procedures, work direction and guidance, business letter writing, basic report preparation, modern office procedures and computer equipment, and basic arithmetic.
Knowledge of financial aid computer software.
Ability to interpret and apply federal and state financial aid rules and regulations.
Ability to explain scholarships, grants, loans, awards, and financial aid program requirements.
Ability to interview, screen, and place students in work-study and job placement programs.
Ability to maintain accurate and complete files and records.
Ability to provide work direction and guidance and train technical, clerical, and student assistants.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
Ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships.
Ability to operate a computer and applicable software.
Sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, disability, gender identity, sexual orientation, and ethnic backgrounds of community college students.

Responsibilities

Interview students and review applications to determine eligibility for financial aid, veterans’ assistance, work-study, and other programs.
Perform financial aid needs analysis, package student aid, and determine award levels in accordance with program requirements.
Explain financial aid policies and procedures to students, community agencies, and the general public.
Maintain contact with federal and state assistance agencies, scholarship organizations, and lending institutions.
Implement federal, state, and local student loan, scholarship, and grant program policies and procedures.
Oversee campus grant programs; award, disburse, and reconcile funds; and ensure required steps and analyses are documented for each student.
Assist in obtaining work-study job placements, ensure students complete employment forms, collect time cards, and monitor hours worked.
Inform students of financial aid appeal decisions and of probation, suspension, or termination from a financial aid program.
Create and maintain financial aid recipient files and records, and prepare reports for grant and loan disbursements.
Revise budgets and awards as necessary to prevent overspending.
Conduct financial aid workshops for high school students and their parents.
Schedule and participate in meetings, including financial aid and scholarship committee meetings.
Assist with planning, prioritizing, and directing the work of clerical and student financial aid staff.
Help veterans complete assistance forms and contact government agencies regarding benefits application status.
Attend training workshops on financial aid programs as required.
Perform related duties as assigned.