Program Specialist 3

Lower Columbia College•Longview, WA

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

Lower Columbia College’s Financial Aid department is currently accepting applications for our open Program Specialist 3 position. This role holds a pivotal position within the educational institution, serving as the lead for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) compliance, Bachelor's degree student support, and scholarship processing. The Financial Aid team is a dynamic group of individuals whose mission is to provide equitable student support while fostering campus initiatives and growth. The ideal candidate is an equity-driven, analytical financial aid professional dedicated to removing systemic barriers and ensuring student success. This individual excels at navigating complex federal and state regulations, leveraging database systems like PeopleSoft (ctcLink) to manage critical caseloads, quarterly SAP reviews, and scholarship reconciliations with meticulous precision. A culturally responsive communicator and detail-oriented lead, they are skilled at establishing a student-centered environment, collaborating across campus partners, and advancing institutional goals for diversity, equity, and inclusion. This multifaceted role requires comprehensive knowledge of SAP regulations, expertise in supporting Bachelor's degree students, and proficiency in managing scholarship programs. The incumbent will play a central role in advancing the equity-centered mission of Lower Columbia College by ensuring smooth delivery of student financial aid to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities. This position provides expertise in program, guidance, and support for identified student populations to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals. The nature of the work is professional, and requires an ability to interpret and work in accordance with federal, state, and college rules, policies, procedures, and regulations. The position performs highly complex duties that enables the department to maintain regulatory compliance. This position is classified as a Program Specialist 3 by the State of Washington. This position is 40 hours per week with a typical schedule of Monday - Friday, 8:00 am - 5:00pm. This position will be primarily on campus with the potential for a regular hybrid schedule after the training period. This position reports to the Director of Financial Aid.

Requirements

Associate degree in a relevant field, OR a combination of education and work experience.
Two years of full-time work experience in an educational environment providing direct student services (such as academic advising, One-Stop, Financial Aid, TRiO, multicultural services, or Work Force Education).
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suites.
Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software including state and federal financial aid platforms.
Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to evaluate aid applications.
Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality issues.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
Collaborates effectively with diverse populations to build an inclusive, customer-service-oriented, and student-centered environment.
Ability to work accurately with numbers and detail.
Ability to access federal student aid systems by not being in default on a federal student loan.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
Two years of full-time financial aid work experience.
Experience supporting students in Bachelor Degree Programs.
Ability to speak a regionally top spoken language other than English is preferred (Spanish, Russian, and Chuukese).
Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and requirements.
Demonstrated experience with database systems and federal databases and programs such as NSLDS, COD and FPP.
Professional credential (s) from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Association (NASFAA) or Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC®) designation preferred.
Experience with PeopleSoft or other Financial Aid Management systems.

Responsibilities

Lead department review of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) process, including review of academic records, review of students on SAP probation to ensure standards are being met, including credits completed, pace, maximum timeframe, and GPA.
Coordinate student grades quarterly with Registration.
Run process in PeopleSoft (ctcLink) related to SAP processing and grade/credit calculation on a quarterly basis.
Prepare SAP appeals for staff and SAP Appeal Committee to review.
Review and approve or deny all first SAP appeals.
Manage student SAP statuses/checklists and communication in ctcLink.
Weekly SAP review of former LCC students returning.
Monitor and award student case load – distributed by alpha and BA degree seeking students.
Award and adjust, as required, student’s financial aid including but not limited to Pell, SEOG, WCG, Work-study, and Direct/private Student Loans.
Work with campus partners (academic departments, registration, and cashiering) to provide proactive support with BA case management.
Collaborate with campus and community partners (LCC Foundation, Athletics, Finance, and off campus scholarship donors) to ensure timely awarding of scholarship funds.
Foundation scholarship quarterly grade review of foundation scholarship recipients to determine continued scholarship eligibility based on donor criteria.
Monthly reconciliation of scholarship awards to ensure funds have applied to student accounts in full.
Participate in workshops, discussions, and learning opportunities regularly around diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Implement equity tools and strategies obtained through various training opportunities to daily work.
Actively support, engage in, and work to advance Lower Columbia College's goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
Promote student engagement through campus involvement.
Provide advocacy for historically underrepresented students
Assists in updating policy and procedure manual as needed for SAP processes, BA student support and scholarship processing management, including finding efficiencies in processes.
Evaluating student eligibility by using tools such as ctcLink, National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), Financial Aid Administrator’s Access to FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP), and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) portal to perform daily tasks.
Support and focus on the vision, mission, and goals of the organization and team.
Other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and the college.