Financial Aid Associate

DEPARTMENT:

Financial Aid

EMPLOYMENT TYPE:

Professional 4. $18.00 - $21.00 hourly. Salary depends on education and experience. Full-time, 12-mos., benefit eligible.

Unlock Exceptional Benefits at FVCC (Worth ~$25K)! You'll receive generous employer contributions towards your Health/Vision & Dental,

up to 15 vacation days, 12 sick days, and 12 holidays. Plus, build your future with the Montana Public Employee Retirement System and a

403(b) match up to 7%. And that's not all - Public Loan Forgiveness plus invest in your continued education when you explore Tuition Waiver

benefits for you and your dependents!

FLSA:

Non-exempt

CLOSING DATE:

Open Until Filled

SUMMARY:
The Financial Aid Associate supports the educational goals of students that range from first-generation college students to non-traditional students through the financial aid application, packaging, and disbursement process.

Essential duties

• Assists students, parents and families as the primary point of contact for financial aid services.
• Provides support to students in the completion of FAFSA or veteran education benefits programs, eligibility records, and supporting documentation. 
• Prepares, reviews and evaluates funding packages and related documents to ensure completeness, accuracy, and fulfillment of requirements prior to processing.
• Assists veterans benefits School Certifying Official(s) in preparing and processing veteran education benefits programs.
• Delivers quality customer service, refers students to appropriate services, and provides resolutions to customers in a professional manner.
• Collaborates with other campus offices, including Admissions and Registration, Academic Advising, Business Office, and Human Resources to ensure coordinated delivery of student success support.
• Monitors required document status of financial aid applicants and reviews form submissions for completeness. Prepares submitted documentation for review and processing by advisors and Director.
• Utilizes FVCC’s student and financial aid information systems, websites, and technologies to perform administrative duties, including accurate data input into information systems. Updates information according to policy and regulations and maintains accurate records to ensure compliance.
• Maintains confidential data, files and reports.
• Interprets and maintains knowledge of current federal, state, and institutional policies, procedures, and regulations
• Remains current in practices, trends and research related to areas of assignment
• Attends related training, workshops, and professional development.
• Cross trains to perform other departmental and team functions; backfills for staff as needed.
• Actively participates in the development of a climate that promotes and supports innovation and efforts to continuously improve services to students, faculty, and the College.
• Creates and maintains a collaborative and collegial environment with colleagues and maintains effective working relationships.
• Maintains professional ethics and confidentiality of students in accordance with applicable laws and policies.
• Advances the mission of FVCC by serving on or convening committees and contributing to the community in college-related activities.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Reports to the Financial Aid Director.

minimum Qualifications

• Associate’s degree AND two years of financial/administrative work experience; OR,
• High school degree or equivalent and four years or financial/administrative work experience; OR,
• An equivalent combination of higher education courses and financial/administrative work experience.

PREFERRED Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Experience working with financial aid programs and software.
• Experience working in higher education or public organization.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Ability and willingness to provide quality customer service experience.
• Ability to be a contributing member in a team-oriented environment.
• Ability to follow financial aid federal, state and institutional regulations, policy and procedures.
• Ability to be adaptive in a continuously changing and fast paced environment.
• Skill and ability to operate a variety of computer applications including, but not limited to, Microsoft Office and information systems.
• Skill with general office practices and procedures.
• Ability to prioritize and efficiently perform a variety of complex tasks.
• Ability to explain complex processes to a variety of people.
• Ability to work within policies and procedures of FVCC.                
• Ability and willingness to serve as an ambassador for the College by interacting appropriately with the college community and community.
• Ability to maintain effective and positive professional relationships             .
• Ability to follow and issue directions.                                               
• Demonstrated communication, technology, presentation, customer service and interpersonal skills.                                                                                                                       
• Ability to work effectively with people from a variety of culturally diverse backgrounds. 
• Ability to intermittently work non-traditional schedules including evenings, weekends, etc.
• Ability to maintain regular and acceptable attendance levels            .          
• Ability to maintain a high degree of confidentiality.                                    
• Ability to successfully pass a criminal background check.                                                   
• Ability to respond in the event of an emergency.
• Must not be in default on a Title IV federal student loan or in a grant overpayment with the Department of Education.      
• This is a Medium Duty job, according to the Selected Characteristics of Occupations Defined in the Revised Dictionary of Occupational Titles, U.S. Department of Labor and Industry.    Medium Duty involves exertion of 20-50 pounds of force occasionally, and/or 10-25 pounds frequently, and/or up to 10 pounds continuously to move objects.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE:
In order to be considered for this position, applicants must apply online at https://www.fvcc.edu/about/careers-at-fvcc; paper submission of applications or resume materials are not accepted for open positions.  FVCC does not retain application materials for future consideration. Additionally, applicants are required to submit the following documents by uploading them to the online application:

• Letter of application indicating how you meet the minimum qualifications and detail your work experience as it relates to the position's Knowledge, Skills and Abilities; AND
• A current, comprehensive resume or curriculum vitae; AND
• Unofficial transcripts for all degrees held and Professional Certifications, when applicable. As a condition of employment, the successful candidate will submit official transcripts for all degrees held and applicable certifications to FVCC HR upon hire. Only transcripts from accredited institutions will be accepted; AND
• Three professional references, with complete contact information, must be provided on the application form. Professional references must be individuals most familiar with applicant's work experience, skills, and work behaviors and supervisory experience. Do not list family and friends for professional references.

EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATIONS, REFERENCE CHECKS AND CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS: Prior to any offers of employment, FVCC conducts thorough employment verifications and reference checks and may contact organizations and individuals not listed on an applicant's application or resume.  Additionally, FVCC conducts post-offer criminal background checks. 

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY:  FVCC is an equal opportunity employer. It is FVCC's policy that all individuals are entitled to equal employment opportunities regardless of race, color, religion, creed, political ideas, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran’s status, service in the uniformed services as defined by state and federal law, physical or mental disability, national origin or ancestry except as authorized by law.  These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs, as required by federal and state laws.  

FVCC BOARD POLICY:  The FVCC Board Policy Manual is available to review at https://www.fvcc.edu/about/board-administration/board-of-trustees/board-policies

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:  FVCC provides reasonable accommodations upon request to qualified individuals with disabilities during all phases of employment including the application and selection process.  No applicant will be penalized as a result of such a request.

VETERANS' PREFERENCE ACT:  Preference applies in hiring and provides a uniform method by which special consideration is given to qualified Veterans. Veterans’ Preference laws do not, however, guarantee Veterans a job, nor do they give Veterans’ preference in internal actions such as promotion, transfer, reassignment, and reinstatement.  Applying for a preference is voluntary and that all information related to a preference is confidential and used only during the hiring process; the information will be maintained in a separate confidential file.  To claim Veterans' Preference, you must complete the Veterans' Preference Form (form is available at https://www.opm.gov/forms/pdf_fill/SF15.pdf) and email it along with document(s) that verify your eligibility for employment preference to [email protected]. Claims for Veterans' preference must be received by Human Resources prior to position closing date.    

WINDFALL ELIMINATION PROVISION:  Based on the Windfall Elimination Provision, FVCC employment may not be covered by Social Security.  To learn more about the Windfall Elimination Provision click https://www.ssa.gov/pubs/EN-05-10045.pdf.