What are the responsibilities and job description for the Administrative Assistant for Financial Aid position at Lees-McRae College?
Department
MNC
Job Description
Title: Administrative Assistant for Financial Aid
Department: Financial Aid / Enrollment Management
Category: Exempt
Department: Financial Aid / Enrollment Management
Category: Exempt
Summary/Objective
Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor assists the Director and Assistant Director in the administration of the college’s financial aid programs in accordance with all federal, state, and institutional regulations. The counselor works in conjunction with the Office of Admissions to provide timely information and services to assist in reaching enrollment goals. This position will serve as the initial point of contact for current and prospective students as well as oversee the daily operations of the office including phones, mailings, data-entry and retrieval, and file organization.
Essential Functions
- Serve as primary point of contact for current and prospective students.
- Counsel students and families using clear and understandable communication regarding the financial aid application process while providing prompt, factual responses and excellent customer service.
- Collect and maintain all required documents related to financial aid records in a manner which is consistent, organized, and meets all federal, state and institutional guidelines.
- Reviews and verifies student data and requests the necessary documents needed from students and families to complete their financial aid file.
- Perform a variety of moderately complex clerical and administrative tasks to determine eligibility and process financial aid offers.
- Make professional and appropriate decisions using critical thinking and resources as it relates to affordability and internal/external shareholders.
- Communicate with students and families to gather information and complete financial aid files.
- Maintain current knowledge of regulations, policies, application requirements and eligibility criteria for federal, state and institutional aid programs.
- Maintain compliance standards for federal and state financial aid programs; ensures conformance to federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations.
- Conduct verification review for selected students according to federal regulations.
- Process financial aid notifications and acceptance.
- Maintain integrity of student records and FERPA requirements.
- Prepare and maintain departmental files.
- Analyze various system-generated reports for the purpose of reconciliation.
- Participate in college outreach activities with emphasis in financial aid advising and services to current and prospective students. (i.e. Open Houses, High School FAFSA Nights, Scholars Day, etc.)
- Assist in preparation of statistical reports (i.e. Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), NCHEDS, and IPEDS)
- Other duties as requested or assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.
Competencies
- Strong customer service skills are required.
- Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner.
- Must possess a strong attention to detail, high level of accuracy, self-motivation, and the ability to handle a heavy workload.
- Excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously.
- Must be willing to work additional hours when necessary.
- Demonstrated service aptitude with the ability to work independently as well as with a team.
- Thoroughness and follow through are a must.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills are a necessity.
- Ability to manage multiple projects as needed.
Supervisory Responsibility
This position has no supervisory responsibilities.
Work Environment
Normal office environment where there is no physical discomfort due to temperature, dust, noise, and the like.
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
This is a full-time position. Days and hours of work are typically Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Evening and weekend work may be required as job duties demand.
Travel
Occasional travel for financial aid nights, college fairs, admitted student receptions, and financial aid conferences may be required.
Required Qualifications
Required Education and Experience
- Ability to multitask and prioritize multiple projects
- Strong organizational skills
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word and Excel)
- Ability to follow-up with students and families in a timely manner
- Excellent written and oral communications
- Ability to work in a fast-paced environment during peak periods
- Effective critical thinking and problem solving skills
- Outstanding and professional customer service skills
- Team-oriented with ability to collaborate effectively with internal and external clients
- Associate’s degree or equivalent required
Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education and Experience
- Experience with Ellucian Colleague
- Bachelor’s degree preferred
- Knowledge of financial aid processes
- Experience managing federal and state financial aid programs
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
Physical Demands
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. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
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. The employee is occasionally required to sit, climb, balance, stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl. The employee must frequently lift or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.
Posting Detail Information
Posting Number
S059P
Number of Vacancies
1
Job Open Date
Special Instructions to Applicants
Quick Link for Internal Postings
https://leesmcrae.peopleadmin.com/postings/245
