General Summary

This posting will be open until the position is filled. Priority consideration for applications received by June 21, 2022. 

Under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Advisor independently completes routine and non-routine processes with a high level of efficiency and accuracy, and explains processes to students, staff and the public.  This position is responsible for the oversight of all aspects of a program(s) including pertinent regulatory guidelines from primary source documents, as well as institutional and internal procedures.   The position provides training for staff, and makes policy recommendations.  Finally, this position manages our loan program which includes Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans and Private Education Loans.

This position is an exempt, full time position that is not eligible for overtime.  Hours of work may include evenings and weekends.  Some off-site evening work is expected, especially from October through April; no more than two nights a month.

Please be advised beginning October 18, 2021 of the Washington State employees requirement to be fully vaccinated from COVID-19 as a condition of employment. Additional details located in the Supplemental Information section.    

Essential Tasks

Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, this position will: 

• Reviews, awards, certifies, and reconciles the Direct Federal Subsidized and Unsubsidized loan program, as well as manages our small Private loan portfolio;
• Closes out the loan programs at year end;
• Provides robust loan counseling to students, including rights and responsibilities, and may include inhouse Loan Entrance Loan Counseling and Exit Counseling;
• Works with Private Education Loan lenders to ensure Highline students have access to the best loans available;
• Creates and maintains the colleges financial literacy program;
• Gives large and small student presentations on loans, budgeting, and financial literacy;
• Assist in supporting and training staff in policies and procedures;
• Provide consumer information regarding financial aid programs at the Financial Aid Customer Service Counter, entry services, workshops, appointments, over the telephone, by email, and on a drop in basis to students, staff, and external agencies;
• Manage a financial aid program(s) such as Workstudy, Loans, Scholarships, ISIR sending and receiving, and Return of Title IV funds;
• Perform full-service functions related to all aspects of the Financial Aid programs including, but limited to, determining eligibility for student financial aid programs, awarding aid, and reconciling Federal, State, and Institutional accounts;
• Determine and monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress status and update records accordingly;
• Counsel students, verify applicant data, determine financial need, and award financial aid funds;
• Provides advising about available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements and the application process to students and parents;
• Analyzes and evaluates financial aid eligibility for students;
• Provides relevant financial aid related support to students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises which may impact school performance.  Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services;
• Monitors financial aid progress and documentation for students.  For students needing assistance completing their file, provides additional follow up advising as needed;
• Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided;
• Exercise professional judgement to determine if adjustments should be made; makes award adjustments and recalculates on less complex cases as appropriate;
• Review federal regulations and makes recommendations on office policy and procedures;
• Conducts financial aid workshops on and off campus and through Zoom;
• Assist the Director in completing federal, state, and institutional surveys and reports;
• Collaborates with multiple funding service providers.

Ability to:

• Effectively communicate both verbally and in writing with a wide range of individuals using the English language;
• Use computer-based Financial Aid Management systems such as PeopleSoft, Banner or FAM;
• Accurately and efficiently complete a broad range of student aid processes and procedures without assistance;
• Advise students on an individual or group basis on all aspects of financial aid;
• Handle interpersonal interactions, including challenging students, parents and others;
• Relate effectively with a wide diversity of students, faculty, staff and community members with sensitivity, tact, patience, and respect;
• Use the Microsoft Office Suite effectively, especially Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook, SharePoint, Teams and OneNote.

Competencies:

• Strong computer skills, especially in Word, Excel, and Outlook;
• Excellent English language verbal and written communication skills;
• Strong typing skills (minimum 40 words per minute);
• Demonstrated excellent attention to detail.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications:
 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably in Education, Business, Communication or Accounting; AND 
• 1 years’ experience working with federal and state financial aid regulations; AND
• 1 year experience certifying Direct Student Loans.

Desired Qualifications:

• 2+ years of Financial Aid funding experience within the state of Washington;
• Experience working with other higher education funding sources such as Workforce or Foundation funding;
• Ability to speak multiple languages;
• Experience with PeopleSoft, especially the Washington ctcLink project;
• Experience with Microsoft’s Teams, SharePoint, and OneNote software, as well as Zoom.