Financial Aid Specialist

JOB TITLE: FINANCIAL AID SPECIALIST DEPARTMENT: FINANCIAL AID

SALARY RANGE: $35,000 - $40,000 FLSA: NON-EXEMPT

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR: Assistant Director of Federal Programs

SCHEDULE DETAILS: Full-time/12-month position/PEERS

Office hours are 7:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m., Monday through Thursday, and 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Flexibility to work any shift within these hours is required. Occasional evening and weekend work is also required.

Position Summary

The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for assisting staff, faculty, and students regarding federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs in all facets from the application process through the status of the program and availability of funding via chat, email, phone or in person. The Financial Aid Specialist responsibilities will also include preparing, reviewing, maintaining, and transmitting records, forms, and documents, preparing, and sending correspondence and reports.

Essential Job Duties

Monitor and process verification, professional judgement, satisfactory academic progress queues to ensure timely completion.Monitor chats and emails to ensure timely replies and incident resolution.Facilitate communication with various agencies by using software and database systems to create, modify, extract, transmit, receive, and maintain financial aid records. Understand and apply IRS regulations as they pertain to the administration of Student Financial Aid programs. Review, track, and process incoming documents for accuracy. Monitor and process specialty documents to include employee tuition waivers, federal work study and federal direct loans as well as the various state aid programs. Communicate accurate financial aid information to faculty, staff, and students.Promote financial literacy and support staff and students with money management skills. Assure compliance with applicable regulations, laws, and policies by monitoring eligibility constraints, review processes for errors, resolve discrepancies, and make adjustments, corrections, and modifications in an effort to limit student and college liabilities. Maintain competency and professional development through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development offerings, and attending training and/or courses required by the College Director of Financial Aid.Works independently to troubleshoot problems and recommend solutions.Translate federal regulations into logical processes.Support in accessing student emergency assistance programs. Ensure the Financial Aid office operates at a high level to provide superior customer service.Provide support for effective use of financial aid system software for staff and students.Shape department policies and procedures through direct feedback to department management. Exhibit exemplary attendance and punctuality. Comply with college policies and procedures. Perform other duties as assigned, including attending college functions, serving on committees, and attending community events. Attend community/professional events as requested. Perform assigned responsibilities, duties, and tasks according to established practices, procedures, techniques, and standards in a safe manner and with minimal supervision.

Required Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning and two (2) years of student affairs experience, or a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning.Excellent organizational skills with the ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.Ability to work well with others.Strong oral and written communication skills.Ability to use information technology for professional productivity (such as Microsoft Office Suite).

Preferred Knowledge Skills & Abilities

One year of experience in student financial aid programs, including knowledge of state and federal regulations on student financial aid administration.Three years of experience and skill in customer service.Experience and skill in public speaking.Experience with Colleague.Experience working within a collegiate setting.

Working At Ozarks Technical Community College Provides Great Benefits

Medical insurance coverage for employees through the CoxHealth network at no cost to employees.Dental, LTD and group life insurance coverage for employees at no cost to employees.Access to the on-site OTC Health and Wellness Clinic at no cost for employees and their dependents.Use of the OTC fitness center at no cost to employees.Twelve (12) tuition free college credit hours per fall and/or spring semester and six (6) college credit hours per summer term for employees and/or their dependents.College matches the employee PSRS/PEERS retirement at 14.5% or 6.86%

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, and walk; use hands to finger/touch, handle, or feel; and talk or hear. The employee must be able to move around and about their area, and operate a computer as needed. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision.

OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE RESERVES THE RIGHT TO MODIFY, INTERPRET, OR APPLY THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN ANY WAY THE INSTITUTION DESIRES. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THESE ARE THE ONLY DUTIES, INCLUDING ESSENTIAL DUTIES, TO BE PERFORMED BY THE EMPLOYEE OCCUPYING THIS POSITION. THIS JOB DESCRIPTION IS NOT AN EMPLOYMENT CONTRACT, IMPLIED OR OTHERWISE. THE EMPLOYMENT RELATIONSHIP REMAINS “AT-WILL.” THE AFOREMENTIONED JOB REQUIREMENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE TO REASONABLY ACCOMMODATE QUALIFIED DISABLED INDIVIDUALS.