Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services

**Please APPLY and view the full job description by clicking the following link: Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services

**This position is Open until Filled.**

**Priority Review begins 6/24/2026.**

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks highly motivated, qualified individuals for the Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services position.

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti racist policy development, coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people, is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color. We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district.

What You'll Do

The Program Specialist 3 reviews, processes, and awards student aid in compliance with financial aid regulations. This role involves advising students on grants, scholarships, and the application process, as well as managing a specialized program.

Essential Function: Student Services & Eligibility Administration:

• Analyze incoming financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine eligibility in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Perform file verification (C-codes, conflicting info, professional judgment) when selected by the Department of Education or as directed.
• Independently advise students and families on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, application processes, and eligibility criteria.
• Read, interpret, and implement local, state, and federal regulations applicable to the assigned program area; identify where federal and state guidelines align and differ.
• Determine eligibility and award aid in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal awarding policies, including Pell, SEOG, WCG, CBS, Federal/State Work Study, VA Benefits, and Direct Loans as applicable to assignment
• Evaluate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review; Financial Aid Appeals for future eligibility and ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Evaluate and reconcile student data across multiple systems - ctcLink, qashiering, registration, EAB Navigate 360, COD, and government databases - contacting outside parties or students as needed to resolve discrepancies and adjust aid packages.
• Coordinate with Workforce Training, OpportunitlGrant, and other grant program staff to ensure accurate and timely awarding across funding streams.
• Support special projects and initiatives as assigned by the Director or Dean.
• Support and focus on the vision, mission, and goals of the organization and team.
• Deliver high-quality, culturally responsive customer service across in-person, virtual, phone, and email channels; apply an equity lens to all interactions and actively work to mitigate Systemic barriers for first-generation, undocumented, disabled, domestic violence-affected, and formerly justice-involved students.
• Counsel applicants through complex application materials with strict confidentiality, including immigration status, complex tax situations, and individual/family barriers, in accordance with federal and state guidelines; connect students with funding options through state, federal, and third-party agencies.
• Understand the historical barriers faced by Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander students, and apply that understanding to daily practice and student-facing work.
• Provide direct customer service through various formats, including virtual, email, phone, and in-person, with excellent customer service skills. Exhibit cultural responsiveness and a commitment to equity in all interactions with students, faculty, staff, and community members who span a diverse range of languages, nationalities, and ethnicities, socio-economic levels, identities, and educational experiences.
• Utilize EABNavigate 360to communicate with students, set appointment availability, and respond to student inquiries.

.Essential Function: Program Compliance & Processing

• Lead or support disbursement and fund authorization processing; run reports and queries in ctcLink to identify and resolve disbursement errors; adjust and cancel aid based on Enrollment changes or regulatory requirements, and notify students as appropriate.
• Perform electronic file transfers to COD and WSAC on federally and state-required schedules; correct rejected originations and disbursements; monitor and resolve reporting exceptions (e.g., MRR/POPS); maintain Aid Year Rollover run controls and file configurations.
• Reconcile program funds with COD, WSAC, and the Finance Office on schedules established by program regulations; collaborate with student financials, cashiers, and payroll to investigate and resolve data discrepancies; track program expenditures and verify fund balances monthly, quarterly, and annually.
• Assess federal and state reports to identify and resolve account discrepancies within required timelines; maintain compliance documentation; assist with preparation of disbursement data for federal and state reporting (Operations Report, Unit Record Report); submit monthly cash requests and required state reports to WSAC.
• Support operational continuity across financial aid program areas as directed; apply working knowledge of multiple program areas to ensure consistent service delivery.

Essential Function: Financial Aid Program Administration:

Performs financial aid program administration duties as assigned by the supervisor. Specific work assignments may include any combination of the following program areas and functions, based on operational need and supervisor direction:

• Federal program administration, including origination, disbursement, and reconciliation of Title IV funds (Pell, Direct/Stafford Loans); monitoring COD transactions; completing required federal documentation (MPN, Entrance/Exit Counseling); processing Return to Title IV(R2T4) calculations; and resolving report discrepancies within federal compliance timelines.
• State program administration - including updating WSAC eligibility in ctcLink, processing and reconciling state fund awards (WCG, CBS, Passport, WASFA, and related programs), submitting monthly cash requests and A-19s, and coordinating Work Study program administration, including fund monitoring, employer contracts, and student payroll.
• Electronic file management and compliance tracking -including ISIR electronic transmissions and correction file transfers, Aid Year Rollover run controls, SAP tracking and appeals coordination, and CTC Link status updates and EdPlan monitoring.
• Scholarship and emergency aid administration, including reviewing applications, awarding funds, and collaborating with the Foundation on quarterly account reconciliation.

Qualifications You Possess

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree AND two years of experience in financial aid, student services program administration, or a closely related regulatory compliance/program coordination role; OR equivalent education/experience.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and apply federal, state, and/or institutional regulations and policies. Experience with electronic information management systems and/or database software (e.g.,btcLink/PeopleSoft, COD, WSAC portals).
• Analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills in a program administration or financial eligibility context.
• Experience with privacy laws and confidentiality requirements (e.g., FERP, immigration-related records).
• Intermediate proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, 0tlook); ability to merge, sort, and analyze spreadsheet and database data.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills in English; ability to produce written reports for internal and external audiences.
• Ability to work accurately with numbers and detailed records; strong attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, prioritize multiple tasks, maintain confidentiality, and accommodate frequent interruptions.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusive service delivery across student populations.

To Apply

Applications must be completed online at Program Specialist 3- Student Financial Services