The Senior Financial Aid Specialist coordinates and administers all facets of one or more aid programs and/or major office operations; ensures that programs and/or office operations are managed effectively, efficiently, with a strong service orientation, and in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. Participates in planning and implementing annual goals and objectives. Educates and counsels students and parents on all aspects of Financial Aid programs; performs verification reviews and database match resolutions.
POSITION SUMMARY
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Coordinates and administers all facets of one or more aid programs and/or major office operations with a strong customer service orientation including application process, grant/scholarship program, SAP review and processing, monitoring of student enrollment status, recalculation of aid eligibility, end of year reconciliation and reporting, and consumer information support.
- Maintains current knowledge in all aspects of financial aid including changes to federal and state regulations, participating in annual training, professional organizations, and conferences to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented.
- Calculates and processes Return of Title IV for all students.
- Serves on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) appeals committee; reviews appeal documents for accuracy and completeness.
- Provides outstanding customer service to students, parents, staff, and community. Responds promptly to requests for service and assistance.
- Counsels students and parents on financial aid opportunities, Direct Loan entrance and exit procedures, application process and status, delivery of funds and managing college costs and debt.
- Prepares all forms, consumer information disclosures and student communication to inform students of program eligibility requirements, their rights and responsibilities and institutional procedures related to the program or services.
- Educates students on the information required for completing financial aid applications and assists them with accurate data input as required by Federal and State financial aid websites.
- Assists students with accessing various online Federal and State Financial aid portals required to facilitate the Financial Aid application and verification process.
- Supports development of content for the Financial Aid website and ensures content is accurate and current.
- Reviews, reconciles and reports on the status of the assigned applications and files and recalculates aid eligibility to verify data accuracy; imports and exports applicant and disbursement rosters and submits changes.
- Performs federal verification, including special circumstance reviews, C-codes and reject resolution, dependency overrides and professional judgements.
- Defines and implements procedures to determine student eligibility and to deliver aid and other financial aid services to students.
- Documents in writing policies and procedures related to the aid program, office operations, and Colleague processes that the position is responsible for administering.
- Reconciles and reports on the status of the assigned program(s) or operation(s) on a monthly and yearly basis.
- Assists the Associate Director with maintaining and updating the department policy manual.
- Provides in-service training for staff in reference to the department policy manual.
- Assists the Managing Director with federal, state, and institutional reviews and annual audits.
- Represents the office, as appropriate, on college committees and professional meetings.
- Develops workshops and activities to educate students and parents on Financial Aid opportunities.
- Performs additional tasks or duties as assigned by the Associate Director of Financial Aid and/or the Assistant Vice President of Financial Aid and Compliance or other designated management.
SPECIAL SKILLS AND QUALIFICATIONS
Education: Bachelor's Degree required.
Experience: 3 or more years of progressively more responsible financial aid experience preferably at a community college.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Demonstrates understanding of the community college mission and practices an open door policy. Comprehensive knowledge and understanding of state and federal laws and regulations of agencies governing the student aid programs assigned to the position. Function knowledge of Ellucian's Colleague or other similar system is preferred. Has basic proficiency in the use of the Microsoft Office suite. Ability to work in a fast-paced environment doing multiple tasks and projects while attending to the immediate needs of members of the campus community. Exhibits strong skills in:
- Communication
- Customer and Student Focus
- Building Relationships
- Organizing
- Planning
SALARY AND BENEFITS
- Annual Salary is $56,000-$65,000
- NJ Educator's Health Plan with Free Dental and Vision.
- NJ State Pension Plan.
- Tuition Reimbursement
- 15 vacation days, 15 sick days, 4 personal days, 2 floating holidays, 3 Partial Sick Days, all designated holidays and 5 non-designated holidays a year.
Bergen Community College provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.