Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services

Salary: $63,252.00 - $64,776.00 Annually
Location : Olympia Main Campus, WA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: CL-107J-00016023
Division: Instruction
Department: Office of Instruction(200)
Opening Date: 06/11/2026
Closing Date: 6/26/2026 11:59 PM Pacific


Our Opportunity
(SPSCC) seeks highly motivated, qualified individuals for the Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services position.


South Puget Sound Community College's mission is "to support student success in postsecondary academic transfer and workforce education that responds to the needs of the South Sound region". This position will promote student success by fostering student learning and understanding of grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. This position will also work to engage students and provide them with tools for lifelong financial literacy through presentations and partnerships with the community and third-party providers.
South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development, coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people, is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district.
And if that isn't enough? We also offer:

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees, with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work, depending on position and college needs
• The serves Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food
• A brand new
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE on our campuses - permits are not required
• On-campus
• Many walking paths are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of on campus
• Lots of activities with our , which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the
• that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
  • Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network that strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust-building across different groups through shared values.
  • The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility.

What You'll Do


The Program Specialist 3 reviews, processes, and awards student aid in compliance with financial aid regulations. This role involves advising students on grants, scholarships, and the application process, as well as managing a specialized program.

Essential Function: Student Services & Eligibility Administration:

• Analyze incoming financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine eligibility in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Perform file verification (C-codes, conflicting info, professional judgment) when selected by the Department of Education or as directed.
• Independently advise students and families on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, application processes, and eligibility criteria.
• Read, interpret, and implement local, state, and federal regulations applicable to the assigned program area; identify where federal and state guidelines align and differ.
• Determine eligibility and award aid in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal awarding policies, including Pell, SEOG, WCG, CBS, Federal/State Work Study, VA Benefits, and Direct Loans as applicable to assignment
• Evaluate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review; Financial Aid Appeals for future eligibility and ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Evaluate and reconcile student data across multiple systems - ctcLink, qashiering, registration, EAB Navigate 360, COD, and government databases - contacting outside parties or students as needed to resolve discrepancies and adjust aid packages.
• Coordinate with Workforce Training, OpportunitlGrant, and other grant program staff to ensure accurate and timely awarding across funding streams.
• Support special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Director or Dean.
• Support and focus on the vision, mission, and goals of the organization and team.
• Deliver high-quality, culturally responsive customer service across in-person, virtual, phone, and email channels; apply an equity lens to all interactions and actively work to mitigate Systemic barriers for first-generation, undocumented, disabled, domestic violence-affected, and formerly justice-involved students.
• Counsel applicants through complex application materials with strict confidentiality, including immigration status, complex tax situations, and individual/family barriers, in accordance with federal and state guidelines; connect students with funding options through state, federal, and third-party agencies.
• Understand the historical barriers faced by Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander students, and apply that understanding to daily practice and student-facing work.
• Provide direct customer service through various formats, including virtual, email, phone, and in-person, with excellent customer service skills. Exhibit cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in all interactions with students, faculty, staff, and community members who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities, and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities, and educational experiences.
• Utilize EABNavigate 360to communicate with students, set appointment availability, and respond to student inquiries.

. Essential Function: Program Compliance & Processing

• Lead or support disbursement and fund authorization processing; run reports and queries in ctcLink to identify and resolve disbursement errors; adjust and cancel aid based on Enrollment changes or regulatory requirements, and notify students as appropriate.
• Perform electronic file transfers to COD and WSAC on federally and state-required schedules; correct rejected originations and disbursements; monitor and resolve reporting exceptions (e.g., MRR/POPS); maintain Aid YearRollover runcontrols and file configurations.
• Reconcile program funds with COD, WSAC, and the Finance Office on schedules established by program regulations; collaborate with student financials, cashiers, and payroll to investigate and resolve data discrepancies; track program expenditures and verify fund balances monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Assess federal and state reports to identify and resolve account discrepancies within required timelines; maintain compliance documentation; assist with preparation of disbursement data for federal and state reporting (Operations Report, Unit Record Report); submit monthly cash requests and required state reports to WSAC.
• Support operational continuity across financial aid program areas as directed; apply working knowledge of multiple program areas to ensure consistent service delivery.

Essential Function: Financial Aid Program Administration:
Performs financial aid program administration duties as assigned by the supervisor. Specific work assignments may include any combination of the following program areas and functions, based on operational need and supervisor direction:

• Federalprogramadministration-includingorigination, disbursement,andreconciliationof TitleIVfunds(Pell, Direct/StaffordLoans);monitoringCODtransactions;completingrequired federal documentation (MPN, Entrance/Exit Counseling); processing Return to Title IV(R2T4) calculations; and resolving report discrepancies within federal compliance timelines.
• State program administration - including updating WSAC eligibility in ctcLink, processing and reconciling state fund awards (WCG, CBS, Passport, WASFA, and related programs), submitting monthly cash requests and A-19s, and coordinating Work Study program administration, including fund monitoring, employer contracts, and student payroll.
• Electronic file management and compliance tracking -including ISIR electronic transmissionsandcorrection filetransfers, Aid Year Rollover run controls, SAP tracking and appeals coordination, and CTC Link status updates and EdPlan monitoring.
• Scholarship and emergency aid administration, including reviewing applications, awarding funds, and collaborating with the Foundation on quarterly account reconciliation.

Qualifications You Possess

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree AND two years of experience in financial aid, student services program administration, or a closely related regulatory compliance/program coordination role; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply federal, state, and/or institutional regulations and policies. Experience with electronic information management systems and/or database software (e.g.,btcLink/PeopleSoft, COD, WSAC portals).
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a program administration or financial eligibility context.
• Experience with privacy laws and confidentiality requirements (e.g., FERP,immigration-relatedrecords).
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, 0tlook); ability to merge, sort, and analyze spreadsheet and database data.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English; ability to produce written reports for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and detailed records; strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritize multiple tasks, maintain confidentiality, and accommodate frequent interruptions.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusive service delivery across student populations.

Desired Qualifications:

• Experience with Title IV federal student aid administration (Pell, Loans, R2T4, COD/EDConnect).
• Familiarity with WSAC state-funded programs (WCG, CBS, Passport, Work Study reporting).
• Experience with student employment/work-study program administration, including NEOGOV or equivalent.
• Experience with SAP/Appeals administration or I SIR/electronic file management.
• Familiarity with scholarship administration, Foundation partnerships, or emergency aid programs.
• Familiarity with student services administration and student communications utilizing EAB Navigate 360.

Training & Development :

• ctclink required training (Student Financials, Financial Aid modules) Non-discrimination / Title IX/ FERPA
• Ethics in Public Service / Safety Orientation
• Financial aid regulatory training relevant to assigned program area (NASFAA, WSAC training, FSA training), COD/EDConnect, and federal system training as applicable to assignment
• Nelnet, NEOGOV, EAB Navigate 360, or other platform training as applicable to assignment
• Financial aid program administration training relevant to assigned work areas (NASFAA, WSAC, FSA training); ongoing professional development to maintain working knowledge across federal and state program areas as operationally assigned

To Apply
Applications must be completed online and include the following attachments:

1. Cover letter addressed to the Screening Committee, highlighting your ability to perform the responsibilities and competencies described in the job posting.
2. Current resume/CV showing all educational and professional experience, which demonstrates how you meet the minimum and any preferred qualifications.
3. Unofficial transcripts

Top candidates will be notified directly to interview for this position. Selection will be based on the applicant's knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform the duties listed in this job posting as identified in the materials requested above. Applications with comments directing the reader to see attachments will be considered incomplete.


Background Check Condition of Employment Employment with the college is contingent upon the successful completion of a comprehensive background check. Any adverse information will be considered on a case-by-case basis and does not automatically preclude a candidate from employment.


Bargaining Unit This position has been designated as a bargaining unit position represented by the Washington Federation of State Employees.
Veterans Preference Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and wish to claim Veterans Preference must submit a copy of their United States Department of Veterans Affairs honorable discharge documentation . All personally identifiable information must be redacted prior to submission. The redacted documentation should be emailed to View email address on click.appcast.io , with the job number for which the applicant is applying clearly indicated in the subject line .
South Puget Sound Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator

SPSCC provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, creed, religion, or veteran status . Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment , defined as unwelcome sexual conduct of various types. In accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Rehabilitation Act , SPSCC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities.
Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies, Title II , and Title IX may be directed to:
Human Resource Department / Title IX Coordinator
Phone: View phone number on click.appcast.io
Email: View email address on click.appcast.io
Building 25, Room 220
2011 Mottman Rd SW
Olympia, WA 98512

South Puget Sound Community College is a smoke-free and drug-free environment .

Applicants who require accommodations in the application process or need materials in an alternative format may contact the Human Resources Office at View phone number on click.appcast.io .
A generous benefits package including medical, dental, vision, life insurance, long-term disability, retirement, and optional deferred compensation programs. The position is eligible to participate in the (DRS) retirement plan. Employees have the option to participate in two tax-deferred retirement investment programs. For health benefit information go to


COMPENSATION
Your paycheck is just part of your total compensation package, with an employee benefits package worth about 30% of your salary.


VACATION AND SICK LEAVE
Annual leave includes vacation, 11 paid holidays, and 12 days of sick leave. Additional leave may fluctuate as a result of the WFSE union bargaining agreement


For more benefits information please visit our website.
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Describe your approach to collaboration and how you work in a culturally diverse groupto reach a common goal.
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How do you respond to new and changing situations?
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How do you respond in situations where you are interacting with people who aredifferent than you?
Required Question