What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Representative position at Education Management, Inc. (dba Blue Cliff College)?
POSITION
Gulf Coast College is seeking a Financial Aid Representative to help guide students through the financial aid process; analyze and evaluate student financial needs to determine the best course of action; have a thorough knowledge of various federal, state and college financial aid packages and be able to refer potential candidates to the appropriate source; offer information and advice regarding eligibility criteria and responsibilities, help explain policies and provide guidance through the application process; responsible for tracking all financial aid documents during the process.
JOB DUTIES
- Interprets, implements and ensures the College is in compliance with state and federal agencies by maintaining a thorough knowledge of federal and state financial aid and veterans’ affairs administration rules and regulations
- Advises students concerning financial aid opportunities, application processes and financial management strategies; Educates students in the identification of all sources of financial aid available, including the requirements and regulations within programs
- Effectively communicates to students the importance of submitting documentation for file completion; This can be in the form of calling the student, going to the classroom to retrieve the student and sometimes receiving authorization from the Director of Financial Aid to block the student from attending class
- Determines eligibility and awards financial aid applicants utilizing various software packages; This includes processing applications and corrections, document tracking, completing the verification process, generating tracking and award notifications
- Generates and prepares status and project reports for the financial aid and veterans’ affairs program
- Responds to student inquiries
- Communicates with appropriate state and federal agencies to resolve any conflicting issues as needed
- Works with Admissions to ensure that issues with enrolling students have been identified and resolved in a timely manner
- Participates in the ‘Stitch in Meetings’ – must provide all required documentation for review of files
- Maintains responsibility for specific student portfolio group throughout the student’s program
- Works closely with the Business Office (if applicable) to ensure that all forms of monies are reconciled and files are resolved
- Assists with the collection of funds and resolving verification issues in a timely manner
- Scan all financial aid documents to student portal
- Run Expected Cash and Aged Report to assist in monitoring monies
- Run daily ISIR Report to track possible issues with verification
- Assist with the reconciliation of all Title IV programs
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES
- Federal, local and state programs that provide financial assistance to students
- Pertinent laws, rules and regulations such as Federal Title IV regulations
- Various software programs and data systems as they relate to financial aid
- Planning and organizational skills
- Effective oral and written communication skills
- Interpersonal skills including tact, patience and courtesy
- Demonstrate analytical, organizational and supervisory skills
- Ensure timely and efficient delivery of student financial assistance to qualified applicants
- Interpret federal and state financial aid regulations and determine appropriate course of action
- Monitor and award federal and state financial aid programs
- Gather, compile and analyze data and prepare reports
- Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and administration
- Perform consistently under the pressure of deadlines and other administrative demands
- Work cooperatively with others
QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Bachelor’s Degree in Education, Finance, Business Administration or Accounting, preferred
- One (1) to three (3) years of increasingly responsible professional level administrative experience in a financial aid setting
- Broad skills in financial aid methodology, financial aid software and federal regulations governing student financial aid programs preferred