Title: District-Wide Financial Aid Processing Spec II
Employee Classification: 52 Wks Unit
Department: District-wide Financial Aid Office
Salary Range: 40,404
**Internal Classified Unit Employees who apply in the first 5 working days from publish date will be given due consideration. External applicants will only be considered, after all qualified internal candidates have been deemed unsuccessful**
Who we are:
We are not-for-profit: St. Louis Community college (STLCC) is a non-profit institution dedicated to empowering students, expanding minds, and changing lives. Employees are committed to strengthening the St. Louis community with inclusive and transformative education.
We are a respected employer: For 60 years, STLCC has served the St. Louis community, expanding to 4 main campuses, 2 education centers, 2 workforce training centers, and 5 centers of excellence. More than one-half of the households in St. Louis have at least one member who has taken classes at STLCC.
We make an impact in the community: Through credit courses, continuing education, and workforce development programs, STLCC annually serves nearly 69,000 students. More than 80% of career and technical graduates employed in their fields or continue their education at four-year institutions within six months of graduation. STLCC sends more transfer students to Missouri’s four-year colleges/universities than anyone else.
We value Diversity, equity & inclusion: STLCC is committed to fostering an atmosphere of appreciation for all people, regardless of race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, national origin, ancestry, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or class.
What you get:
Benefits package [for full-time employees]: STLCC offers one of the best benefit packages in the St. Louis area. As a STLCC employee you will have access to a 100% match on your contribution to retirement, two health insurance plans options that are no cost to the employee - including an HSA option, low-cost life insurance with a 3x salary benefit, and other low-cost benefits including dental, vision, AD&D, ST LT disability insurance.
Opportunity to grow: Over half of our employees have served the college for more than 12 years, exploring different career paths and advancing to higher level positions.
Education & training opportunities: STLCC offers tuition waivers for employees [full-time and part-time] + their dependents. Full-time employees can take advantage of tuition reimbursement for other institutions after just 6 months of service, and an annual professional development allotment.
Work/life balance: Full-time STLCC employees have access to a generous time off package, including holidays, vacation, personal days, medical leave, and other leave options. Our holiday schedule even includes a paid winter holiday at the end of the calendar year.
Commitment to wellness: STLCC HR boasts a dedicated health and wellness specialist who is enthusiastic about creating a culture of wellness throughout the College. With access to college wellness vendors, employees are educated, motivated, and rewarded for healthy behaviors. STLCC employees and anyone living in their household also have access to an employee assistance program (EAP) that can help them with virtually any life need.
The basics of this position:
Responsible for processing all Federal, state and institutional aid for the District. Must be knowledgeable about Federal, state and institutional regulations for awarding and processing financial aid. Interprets Federal and state policies and regulations required to maintain compliance. This includes but is not limited to Federal Pell Grants, Supplemental Opportunity Grants, Federal Direct Student Loans, Missouri A-Plus, Missouri Access, Bright Flight Grants, Foundation Scholarships, and institutional scholarships.
Works closely with District Financial Aid Managers and the Director to ensure all aid is processed accurately, compliant with policies, and in a timely manner. Reviews student academic progress to determine initial and continual eligibility for financial aid. Meets required benchmarks for processing times set for student aid.
Assists in financial aid student appeals process, and the return of Title IV calculations. Completes the verification process in accordance with institutional and Federal policy. Assists with resolving financial aid over awards and multiple reporting for students in extenuating circumstances.
Reviews student’s initial financial aid application for potential conflicting information prior to awarding aid. Reviews documents received from the campuses and approves student financial aid eligibility based on what is in the BANNER system. Makes appropriate corrections in the system that are communicated to COD to determine student eligibility. Communicates with lender personnel, secondary markets, and guarantee agencies in conjunction with compilation of required reports, and resolves aid discrepancies. Communicates with other schools and outside agencies to determine eligibility for financial aid.
As a District-wide Processing Specialist II you will be a part of the Student Affairs Communication team for financial aid. These additional duties will include responding to inquires made to the district financial aid email account, participation in calling campaigns, live chats, and when available text messaging. This will require additional training and may require additional certifications.
What you'll do:
• Current processing time on verification of complete files
• Current processing time for Satisfactory Academic Progress Appeals
• Process scholarships and all third party awards including Board of Trustees, Campus Institutional Scholarships
• Process/award federal Pell, Missouri Access and SEOG awards
• Review all student initiated loan requests and documentation
• Process all loan requests
• Process loan adjustments
• Process federal work study applications, disbursements and communications
• Work with Student Accounts to aggregate data on loans, federal and state grants, scholarships, and outstanding receivables
• Work with the Campus Case management Team to resolve processing issues
• Work with the Campus Case Management Team to resolve student issues
• Review all documentation submitted for special circumstances, exceptions and dependency overrides
• Prepare and organize all student-submitted documentation regarding special circumstances for committee review
Self-Service Application and online forms assistance:
• Follow up with students selected for federal verification
• Assist in completion of Verification worksheets and collection of Verification documents
Education, experience, and other requirements:
Prefer applications with a Bachelor Degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience working in Financial Aid but will also consider applicants with an Associate degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience working in a Financial Aid Office counseling students. The ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner is a must. Counselors are required to have or obtain the NASFAA credential in Verification by the end of their probation period. They are required to participate in training sessions and obtain additional certification and/or credentials that are identified by the District-Wide Director of Financial aid and Scholarships. The ability to work nights and week-ends.
Preferred Qualifications:
