Financial Aid Specialist II

Financial Aid Specialist II

The Financial Aid Specialist II assists in the operation of the financial aid programs at the college, while providing guidance to students. The incumbent assists in the management of federal, state, and institutional funding sources, as well as the accurate processing of all financial aid application and student loan materials within a highly automated environment. The Financial Aid Specialist II provides student service in person and utilizing other communication channels to assist with the financial aid process for students and families. A major function of this position is leading collaborative efforts for attracting and retaining students. This position is located on ground at a campus location.

Essential duties include:

• Maintains the front counter for all student-facing, in-person activity.
• Provides excellent service to students, their families, outside agency personnel, and members of the college community.
• Assists students with the completion of all aspects of the financial aid process, including FAFSA completion, financial literacy, and other associated areas.
• Counsels and assists prospective and currently enrolled students and their families on the FAFSA application process and eligibility for financial aid, including the facilitation of workshops.
• Provides information on eligibility requirements, application processes and procedures, status of financial aid application and award, and required additional documentation as needed.
• Determines if the student's inquiry requires further follow-up and directs the inquiry to the appropriate source for resolution, as necessary.
• Responds in a timely manner to student inquiries through a variety of communication techniques.
• Provides outbound communications to students, as needed.
• Trains and leads student workers, as needed.
• Responsible for special projects within the office, under the direction of the Campus Supervisor.
• Awards and repackages students under the direction of the Campus Supervisor.
• Resolves C-Flags, Rejects, Verification, and Conflicting Information cases.
• Reviews student ISIRs for discrepancies in dataload and follows up with students as needed.
• Responsible for the quality assurance and document linking within the imaging system.
• Monitors the academic performance of student aid recipients in accordance with Satisfactory Academic Progress regulations, including the enforcement of SAP Appeals and Academic Plans.
• Maintains current and complete knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations.
• Reviews and processes student loan requests in accordance with federal law and regulations.
• Maintains an alpha caseload to ensure necessary documents are received and conflicting information resolved to ensure aid can be disbursed.
• Runs/creates reports to assist the needs of the campus.
• Assists in supplying any data needs for campus reporting.
• Adheres to all office policies and procedures.
• Interacts favorably with any third-party vendors.
• Works with grant, loan, and reporting functions within all federal systems, including COD, CPS, and NSLDS, as needed.
• May participate on campus-based Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeal Committee.
• May review student files for Professional Judgment requests.
• Performs other duties and tasks to support the overall success of the division.
• May involve occasional evening or weekend work.

Additional responsibilities include:

• Attendance and participation at convocation and commencement ceremonies
• Service on assigned committees and task forces
• Attendance and participation at committee, staff, informational and professional meetings which may occur during evenings and weekends.

This posting outlines qualifications, experience, and skills but is not limited to the full specifications in the official job description.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in an appropriately related field together with two (2) or more years of related experience in financial aid in higher education or related field; or a combination of education, training and experience which would lead to the competencies required for successful performance of the position's essential duties.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• An ability to relate favorably to students, parents, and college staff.
• Knowledge of state and federal financial aid rules and regulations.
• Strong organization and analytical skills.
• The ability to multi-task with complex subject matter in a fast-paced environment.
• Must possess strong interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Ability to work effectively with individuals from diverse academic, socioeconomic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds, including individuals with disabilities
• Excellent interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams)

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience using a Student Information System such as Banner (or comparable system).
• Three (3) or more years of financial aid experience, preferably in a community college setting.

Salary and Benefits

• Salary $72,097 approximate annual

CT State offers a comprehensive benefits package, including:

• Generous leave policies
• Multiple retirement plan options
• Comprehensive health insurance choices
• Supplemental benefits for retirement and family protection
• Tuition reimbursement (if applicable)

For more information, visit: CSCU - Human Resources - Future Employees.

Application Instructions

To apply, please submit the following:

• A cover letter
• A current resume

In your cover letter, you must clearly address how your experience and skills align with each of the required and preferred qualifications. The cover letter may be entered as text in the application system or uploaded as a single combined file with the resume. Your resume must include the names of three (3) current professional references, including their titles, email addresses, and telephone numbers.

Important Notes:

• Incomplete applications or those submitted after the closing date will not be considered
• Links to external resume or profile sites will not be accepted
• Apply online at:
• CT State Community College cannot sponsor work visas.
• Applicants must be authorized to work full-time in the United States

Selection Process

After the closing date, applications will be reviewed by a selection committee. Candidates selected for further consideration will be those who best meet the minimum and preferred qualifications and who submitted all required materials by the deadline.

The selection process may include interviews and practical exercises (e.g., written, technical, or simulation exercises). Finalists will be recommended to the Hiring Manager for final selection.

Background Screening

Employment offers are contingent upon:

• Proof of eligibility to work under the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA)
• Successful completion of a background check, including granting permission to contact current and previous employers for verification, reference checks, criminal history, and, when applicable, credit or driving history checks

CT State is committed to maintaining a safe campus community.

Equity Statement

Connecticut State Community College commits to bold and disruptive change by actively identifying, naming, and dismantling structural racism, systemic poverty, and other barriers; establishing equitable and anti-racist policies and practices; and empowering students, faculty, staff, and administrators to advance racial, social, and economic justice. Our core collective responsibility is to continuously assess practices and policies and transform the world we live in by eliminating inequities.

Continuing Notice of Nondiscrimination

CT State Community College does not discriminate on the basis of age, ancestry, color, national origin, gender identity or expression, genetic information, learning disability, marital status, intellectual disability, physical disability (including but not limited to blindness), present or past history of mental disability, prior criminal record, race, religious creed, sex (including pregnancy and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, retaliation for previously opposed discrimination or coercion, veteran status, victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and/or trafficking or any other federal or state protected class in its employment, programs, and activities, unless the provisions of Section 46a-80(b) or 46a-81(b) of the Connecticut General Statutes are controlling or there are bona fide occupational qualifications excluding persons in one of the above protected groups.

For information regarding the nondiscrimination, disability