Financial Aid Specialist

Salary: $24.36 Hourly
Location : Orchard Ridge Campus (Farmington Hills)
Job Type: Classified Full-Time
Remote Employment: Flexible/Hybrid
Job Number: 202400323
Division: Student Fin Res & Scholarships
Opening Date: 07/20/2026
Closing Date: 8/2/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Shift Days/Hours: Monday - Friday, 8:30am - 5:00pm


Summary of Purpose
Provide information and assist in all aspects of the financial aid process. Perform technical duties in order to accomplish the functions of the Student Financial Resources and Scholarship Department. The employee is expected to work in a multicultural diverse working environment.

Typical Duties
This description is intended to indicate the types of duties and responsibilities requested of the employee assigned this title, it is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all the duties and responsibilities that may be required:

1. Assists in the implementation of new federal and state Financial Aid regulations.
2. Knowledge of all federal, state and institutional regulations and policies and procedures.
3. Knowledge of the financial aid application process for federal, state, and institutional programs.
4. Advises/Coaches students from all cultures and social-economical backgrounds, through the process of applying for and receiving student financial aid face-to-face and virtually (Live Chat, telephones, student email box, one-on-one appointments via Zoom or telephone.)
5. Facilitates the pre-awarding eligibility determination, Active ISIRS, verification, TIP, F4F/MI Reconnect, Unusual Enrollment History (UEH), any ineligibility issues, etc. Updates daily student file complete dates in Colleague using report generated in Student Forms. Verifies verification codes are correct. Identifies students with ISIRs. Adjusts student self-service checklist if necessary.
6. Makes corrections and assists in the verification of student FAFSAs.
7. Performs the transmittal review, calculation, and monitoring of all financial aid awards for disbursements.
8. Evaluates and processes the Return of Title IV Funds (R2T4) and N Marks.
9. Troubleshoots/Investigates student, federal, state, and institutional inquiries/complaints, to determine resolution or consult with Financial Aid Management for guidance, and compose memos and other relevant correspondence, if needed.
10. Assists the Financial Aid Managers with the Communication Management Processing.
11. Assists the Financial Aid Managers with the administration of federal, state and institutional aid programs, maintenance of program databases, validating eligibility, Active ISIRS, ineligibility issues, student loan exit counseling completion and follow-up, scholarship awarding, etc.
12. Uses technology effectively and efficiently, e.g., Outlook, ACD, federal and state software, Colleague, Communication Management, Student Forms, Scholarship Universe, etc. Utilizes federal and state websites and databases: FAA Access, NSLDS, COD, MISSG, FSA Partner, NASFAA, etc.
13. Participates in all training activities necessary to update financial aid knowledge and skills and other relevant professional development opportunities.
14. Hires, trains, and directs college student personnel with appropriate approval.
15. Assists Veteran students: Answers questions regarding VA benefits and applications. Processes & activates VA educational benefits, verifies enrollment before payment of funds, maintains Veteran records and updates database of active VA students, tracks & reconciles financials for student payments from the VA & debts to the VA, applies payments to student accounts, creates specialized reports from data, & communicates any issues to VA Coordinator if applicable.
16. Performs related tasks as assigned.

Minimum Education and Experience
EDUCATION: An earned Associate Degree or higher in Business or related majors.


OR

Any Associate Degree or higher with 16 credits in business related courses

EXPERIENCE: Two (2) years of experience in customer service. Two (2) years of experience in Financial Aid preferred.
We are excited to have you consider Oakland Community College (OCC) as your employer of choice!

OCC strives to provide valuable and empowering services not only to our students, but also to our employees.


See below the benefits offered by the College under the benefit types: full-time and part-time
Full-Time Positions for the Following Employee Groups:
Classified, Exempt (Non-union), Faculty, Maintenance, Operating Engineers, Public Safety, Teamsters

Benefit Effective Date: First of the month after date of hire

Medical

• Multiple PPO medical plans with prescription coverage to choose from; Plans provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM)
  • Free preventive services on every plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) available with the High Deductible medical plans
• BCBSM through the Western Michigan Health Insurance Pool (WMHIP) medical is offered to all employment groups
• There is a $2,000 prorated Medical Opt Out stipend with proof of other applicable medical coverage

Dental

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) plan provided by the College, no payroll deductions

Vision

• NVA (National Vision Administrators) plan provided by the College, no payroll deductions

Flexible Spending Accounts (FSAs)

• Health Care, Limited Purpose, Dependent Care, and Adoption FSAs are available

Life Insurance

• TheCollege provides $120,000 of coverage (portion is subject to taxation), no payroll deductions

Disability

• 70% of wages provided for Short-Term and Long-Term Disability

Retirement

• College employees are part of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) provided by the Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS)
• The Exempt, Faculty, and Teamsters employee groups can elect the Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) provided by TIAA; opting out of MPSERS

Voluntary Retirement Accounts

• Employees can open and contribute via payroll deduction into 403(b) and/or 457(b) voluntary retirement accounts provided by TIAA

Voluntary Benefits

• Employees can elect voluntary benefits of optional life insurance (for self, spouse, and/or children), cancer protection, pet insurance, legal & ID shield, long term and/or critical care during annual open enrollment in November

Tuition

• OCC tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents
• Employees may take Non-OCC classes using the tuition reimbursement program

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

• Employees have a free resource to assist with a wide-range of needs, including counseling sessions

Employee Group: Classified Part-Time

Benefit Effective Date: First of the month after date of hire

Part-time Classified employees are offered the opportunity to have medical, dental, vision at the full monthly premium; life insurance is also available at a nominal cost. Participation requires that benefit costs be taken via payroll deduction.

Medical

• Multiple PPO medical plans with prescription coverage to choose from; Plans provided by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM)
  • Free preventive services on every plan
  • Health Savings Account (HSA) available with the High Deductible medical plans
• BCBSM through the Western Michigan Health Insurance Pool (WMHIP) medical is offered to all employment groups

Dental

• Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM) plan that has free in-network preventive services including two annual cleanings

Vision

• NVA (National Vision Administrators) plan that includes annual examinations with participating providers

Life Insurance

• Employees can choose to have a life insurance policy of $10,000 or $20,000

Retirement

• College employees are part of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) provided by the Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS)

Voluntary Retirement Accounts

• Employees can open and contribute, via payroll deduction, into 403(b) and/or 457(b) voluntary retirement accounts provided by TIAA

Tuition

• OCC tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents
• Employees may take Non-OCC classes using the tuition reimbursement program

Employee Group: Adjunct Faculty, Part-time Hourly (Non-union), and Casual Instructors*


Retirement

• College employees are part of the Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System (MPSERS) provided by the Michigan Office of Retirement Services (ORS)

Voluntary Retirement Accounts

• Employees can open and contribute, via payroll deduction, into 403(b) and/or 457(b) voluntary retirement accounts provided by TIAA

Tuition

• OCC tuition reimbursement program available for Adjunct Employees

*Edustaff employees are not eligible for OCC benefits.

Contact Information:
01


Do you have an earned Associate's degree or higher?

• Yes
• No

02


Are you a member of the OCC Classified union?

• Yes
• No

Required Question