Financial Aid Specialist I

Financial Aid Office Assistant

Full-time positions at Clovis Community College are not remote positions and require a physical presence on campus to fulfill duties and college-related responsibilities. Under general supervision, provide assistance in the operation of the Financial Aid Office, including advising students and families regarding financial aid options, processing and awarding financial aid, and assisting students in the completion of the FAFSA & verification requirements.

Duties & Responsibilities

• Understand Federal and State student aid programs, eligibility, processes, rules, and regulations.
• Assist students with submission of financial aid applications.
• Examine application for completeness in accordance with regulations applicable to grants and aid.
• Evaluate and verify financial aid applications and supporting documents for accuracy, clarity, and completeness according to detailed and complex federal and state rules and regulations.
• Provide assistance to students experiencing unusual circumstances including application or processing difficulties, changes in financial circumstances, inadequate resources, alternative funding options, dependency appeals, and satisfactory progress appeals.
• Receives and processes appeals; notifies students of continued eligibility or ineligibility; advises students of appeal processes.
• Confirm student budgets and awards amounts.
• Verify student attendance; adjust financial aid appropriately.
• Advise students of financial aid consequences when changing or dropping classes.
• Assists in answering emails sent to the financial aid office email address, including the necessary research, obtaining assistance from other staff when needed, and responding to the student/parent in a timely fashion.
• Process student flags and referrals from the STARFISH system.
• Track student satisfactory academic progress status each semester.
• Monitor student progress for students placed on Financial Aid Academic Plans.
• Check status of financial aid students on Drop for Non-Payment report.
• Check status of students on Pending Financial Aid Payment Plan.
• File correspondence, lead or supervise Student Assistants, data entry, and general office duties.
• Assists students, families, faculty and staff in person at the front desk. Provides information and completes transactions as required by students.

Essential Skills

• Dynamic presence, creativity, and the ability to connect the target audience are essential.
• Must possess the ability to communicate with students individually and to present information in a group setting.
• Critical thinking and interpersonal skills, ability to manage multiple tasks required.
• Ability to deal effectively with a variety of individuals and to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
• Must be able to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in computer applications.

Physical Requirements

Requires frequent and continuous sitting/moving about, continuous use of fine motor skills, reaching above the shoulders, pushing and pulling of up to 20 lbs. and occasional lifting and carrying of objects weighing up to 10 lbs.

Schedule Details

Must be available to work 40 hrs. per week with normal work hours from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. Occasional evening and weekend hours will be required. Travel in New Mexico and Texas will be required.

Additional Duties and Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Perform other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate's degree with course work in business, social science, or related area, or an equivalent combination of education and related experience.
• Must understand the complexities in relation to non-traditional students.
• Demonstrate and possess a strong understanding of cultural competency, and how to communicate effectively to different audiences.
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the needs of students from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.

EEO Statement

As an EEO employer, Clovis Community College will not discriminate in our employment practices based on an applicant's race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, serious medical condition or status as a protected veteran or spousal affiliation. Clovis Community College hires only U.S. citizens and individuals lawfully authorized to work in the U.S.