What are the responsibilities and job description for the Awarding and Communication Coordinator, Student Financial Services position at La Sierra University?
Job Description
The Awarding and Communication Coordinator, under the direction of the Director of Student Financial Services is responsible for enhancing student engagement through effective communication strategies tailored to diverse student populations while ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines. This role involves timely communication of aid offer notices, coordination of departmental and endowed scholarships, and collaboration with the Compliance Officer to maintain regulatory standards. The coordinator also manages the financial aid awarding process, administers state aid programs like Cal Grant, and oversees the office's online presence, including the annual updates of the Net Price Calculator. Additionally, the coordinator hires and trains a student worker, represents the university at state events, and assists in preparing reports for audits, all while staying current with evolving policies and best practices.
Duties and Responsibilities
Research best practices for communicating with the various student populations.Updates direct batch communication / letters and online disclosures in accordance with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.Responsible for the timely communication of aid offer notices to prospective students.Works with Compliance Officer to ensure timely communications are being made to students.Assists in developing and maintaining student forms related to the application and awarding of financial aid.Serves as a member of the Endowed Scholarship Committee.Works collaboratively with the office of Advancement to manage endowed scholarship awarding protocols.Coordinates the awarding of departmental scholarships (i.e. Music, Leadership, Athletics), ensuring compliance with packaging guideline and budgetary restrictions.Remains current with federal and state regulations and institutional policies.Responsible for hiring and training one student worker who reports to this title.Manages the financial aid awarding process, including the award notification process; monitors all awards for potential over award issues, and compliance with packaging guidelines; coordinates endowed, external, and other manual-batch aid awards.Administers the Cal Grant and other state aid programs, including awarding, reconciling, responding to audits, promoting / marketing programs, training and delegating tasks to staff and student employees, and maintaining and updating applicable policies and procedures.May serve as Cal Grant ambassador for the university, representing our students at the State Capitol AICCU event once a year.Oversees all website content for SFS. Performs updates at least annually.Updates Net Price Calculator annually.Liaison with IT for electronic version of Estimator.Updates Portal announcements if applicableAssists in preparing reports / files for internal and external audits and reviews.Other duties as assigned by the Director of Student Financial Services.Knowledge, Skills and Abilities
Qualifications :
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Education / Experience :
Bachelor's degree (B. A.) from four-year college or university or equivalent; experience assisting a multicultural population; one to two years financial aid experience preferred.
Knowledge :
Knowledge and understanding of applicable federal rules and regulations. Experience in web design, preferred.
Skill :
Experience with program and team management in higher education setting. Must have experience working with Hispanic, low-income, and first-generation college populations. Experience working with and within federal and state regulations is a plus.
Language Ability :
Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the general public. Knowledge of a second language is highly desired; Spanish preferred.
Math Ability :
Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
Reasoning Ability :
Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. Ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
Computer Skills :
To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Windows environment; experience using an integrated database system - knowledge of BANNER preferred. Experience with Photoshop or other publishing tools is preferred.
Certificates and Licenses :
No certifications needed
Supervisory Responsibilities :
This job supervises one or two student workers
Work Environment :
The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Occasional travel is required.
Physical Demands :
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. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
The employee must regularly lift and / or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and / or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and / or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include Close vision, Distance vision, Peripheral vision, Depth perception and Ability to adjust focus. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel, talk and hear. The employee is frequently required to stand and reach with hands and arms. The employee is occasionally required to walk; climb or balance and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl.
Other Demands :
Incumbent must have strong attention to detail and follow-through skills. And the ability to understand the importance of and uphold confidentiality regarding records. Employee will also need good organizational, interpersonal and communication skills. Must have the ability to represent the University well with external publics, including knowledge about the University as an academic institution. Professional behavior at all times, including relationships with faculty, students, community partners and external publics.
Wage Range :
20.04 to $23.50 per hour, plus generous benefits.
Comprehensive health coverage availableTuition Assistance (spouse and dependent eligibility)10 Paid HolidaysFSA, Pet Insurance, Legal Services, Identity Protection Services, and more!
Salary : $20 - $24
