Job Description

REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid (35 hours); Accountant (5 hours)

PURPOSE:  Provide excellent customer service to the students of SWC and serve as direct support to the Director of Financial Aid.  Assist in administering federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and services in accordance with established federal regulations, institutional policies and operational guidelines. Provide administrative assistance to the Business Office.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

OPERATIONS

• Advise prospective and enrolled students on all aspects of the financial aid process. Counsel and advise students regarding financial needs and problems, and recommend financial aid opportunities, eligibility and procedures. Provide guidance and information regarding policies and procedures to the public.

• Assist Director with ensuring compliance with all federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Review, create and/or revise financial aid packaging for qualified applicants as assigned.

• As assigned, assist with aspects of the Federal Direct Unsubsidized Loan programs and Grad Plus Loans including verifying student eligibility, awarding, reviewing and processing.

• May assist with Title IV refunds and repayments, including U.S. Department of Education and National Student Loan Data System notifications. As requested, may coordinate Return of Title IV Funds processes.

• Assist with the coordination, verification, and tracking of non-institutional aid such as, VA and alternative lenders.

• Process and track scholarship funding students receive from sources external to SWC.

• Assist with the coordination of official financial aid office communication with prospective and current students, including letters, emails, texts and phone calls. Maintain regular contact schedule to ensure all students have the information they need to complete the financial aid process.

• Maintain student financial aid files and records. Update database (Populi) with all needed student information. Assist with coordinating the annual creation, update, review and storage of student files.

• Serve as a point of contact for student education records in order to review/ process/finalize verifications for DOE inquiries.

• Provide support to the Director for federal, state, and institutional reports including applications for federal funding and reports the expenditures of funds allocated, such as NMHED and IPEDS.

• As required, provide support to conduct the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) tracking. Disseminate initial information to students about the SAP appeals process.

• As needed, provide input to the Director to review and modify Cost of Attendance figures annually and file changes with the appropriate state and federal agencies.

• Provide support to the director in updating all publications (website, college catalog, and other media) relating to financial aid, such as financial aid applications, forms used for tracking applications, correspondence, and brochures.

• As required, plan, organize, coordinate and participate in outreach to the public and potential students including new student advising/orientation. Participate in programs designed to inform, recruit, advise, retain, and promote student learning and success.

• Other duties as assigned and as required.

COLLABORATIONS

• Work as an integral team-member as part of a team-oriented office.
• Assist in facilitating communication between respective college departments as they relate to the Financial Aid Office’s role in creating a positive educational experience for students.
• Work with the Business Office, Enrollment and Registrar to ensure accurate and timely exchange of information and awards between school information systems.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

• Maintain current knowledge of college financial aid policies, procedures, and programs.
• As requested, attend trainings/conferences as necessary to keep knowledge current.

MISCELLANEOUS DUTIES

• Assist with preparation of and submittal of annual VA reports.
• Process and report Campus Crime Statistics for posting on website and distribution to campus community.
• Meet all assigned deadlines.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor’s degree or four years of experience working in higher education, preferably within financial aid; OR any satisfactory combination of experience and training which demonstrates the knowledge, skills and abilities to perform the above duties. Broad knowledge of federal financial aid programs and recordkeeping requirements. Basic understanding of federal financial aid programs. Strong ability to communicate effectively and professionally, both verbally and in writing and with a team-oriented outlook.  Professional etiquette and exemplary customer-service skills required.

Knowledge of higher education processes, communication techniques and computer software. General knowledge of accounting practices, electronic financial aid processing and web-based computing. Capacity for curiosity and accuracy with details. Ability to work independently as requested, meet deadlines, and to work collaboratively.