Financial Aid Specialist

Financial Aid Specialist

Success starts at Community College of Philadelphia. Innovators and difference makers work at Community College of Philadelphia. Diversity thrives at Community College of Philadelphia. We are a college that is committed to promoting a work environment that attracts and retains talented and diverse faculty and staff. We challenge each other and ourselves to achieve at the highest level while contributing to the mission of the College and the betterment of Philadelphia. We value and support an intellectually dynamic community to prepare our students for global citizenship. Join us and become a part of a community that has long been and will continue to be generators of generational chance in this city and beyond.

Community College of Philadelphia is an open-admission, associate-degree-granting institution which provides access to higher education for all who may benefit. Its programs of study in the liberal arts and sciences, career technologies, and basic academic skills provide a coherent foundation for college transfer, employment and lifelong learning. The College serves Philadelphia by preparing its students to be informed and concerned citizens, active participants in the cultural life of the city, and enabled to meet the changing needs of business, industry and the professions. To help address broad economic, cultural and political concerns in the city and beyond, the College draws together students from a wide range of ages and backgrounds and seeks to provide the programs and support they need to achieve their goals.

Position Summary

Under the guidance of the Manager, Financial Aid Operations, the Financial Aid Specialist is a Financial Aid team member. Functioning as a generalist, the Specialist reviews, verifies, and awards financial aid; performs Direct Student Loan certifications; communicates information to students and parents about the various financial resources available for funding college studies; and assists with various report reconciliations, as needed. Extended hours may be required occasionally including evenings and Saturdays as needed.

Essential Responsibilities

• Counsel prospective students, continuing students, parents and families regarding the financial aid application process and eligibility for Federal and State aid by explaining the fundamentals of applying for federal aid and assisting them with on-line process of completing a Pell grant application.
• Assist students in applying for Federal and private loans, scholarships, understanding and completing institutional payment plan and resolve rejected aid applications.
• Communicate with students and families via written, voice, and electronic media in order to relay information about student's eligibility or to request further documentation to determine eligibility.
• Track documentation received by students utilizing the document management process; create files for new students and continuing students; appropriately file, at main campus, documents received at regional centers and merge documents for students that possess duplicate files.
• Update student's aid on Banner, add student loans to student's aid package; correspond with College loan manager to ensure student is receiving appropriate amount requested.
• Verify information on the Institutional Student Information Report (ISIR) and compare with the information on the student or parent's Federal Tax return.
• Collaborate with outside offices, research and resolve financial aid payment problems, including those identified by Bursar's office and Office of Student Records and Registration
• Resolve Bursar's office holds by researching reason hold was placed on student's account and explain the necessary resolution to student.
• Work with advisors and counselors to make recommendations to students who were dropped for poor scholarship; correspond with records and registration to resolve enrollment status issues and to ensure that student has completed required testing.
• Conduct workshops and presentations for new and continuing students; guide and assist in the process of completing the FAFSA.
• Generate and reconcile reports.
• Provide oversight for the organization of document tracking, filing, and records management processes.
• Represent the College at on-campus and off-campus events.
• Adhere to FERPA regulations as they pertain to maintaining the security and confidentiality of all student records, as well as maintain the confidentiality of other documents on behalf of the work area and the College.
• Conduct on-line filing workshops, as required.
• Periodic assignment to Regional Centers, as needed.
• Maintain sensitivity, understanding, and respect for a diverse academic environment, inclusive of students, faculty, and staff of varying social, economic, cultural, ideological, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Deliver quality customer services to both internal and external constituents in a professional helpful and courteous manner.
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required. Any and all degree(s) must be from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.
• Two (2) years of full-time work experience in financial aid required.
• Minimum of two (2) years demonstrated experience working with information technology in academia or private industry (preferably Banner).
• Demonstrated knowledge of financial aid regulations required.
• Demonstrated proficiency using MS Word and Excel and Internet applications required.
• Excellent communication (oral and written) and interpersonal skills in all media (phone, face to face, and email) required to effectively communicate with students, the general public, and College staff and faculty.
• Experience working with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds required.
• Ability to use independent judgment in making administrative/procedural decisions with minimal supervision required.
• Must have a commitment to the mission of an urban community college.
• Excel in working as a member of a team, model exceptional service to internal and external customers, and work to facilitate change.
• Access to a personal vehicle required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in, and appreciation for, a collective bargaining environment is preferred.