Financial Aid Training Specialist Part Time

Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) is seeking a passionate driven individual with the desire to learn grow and excel in a culture that values every member of the team. DSF was named one of the Denvers Top Workplaces in 2024 5 year recipient of Top Workplaces) a testament to our team and to our intentionality in cocreating a positive inclusive work environment. In 2022 DSF was named one of the Best and Brightest Companies to work for by the National Association for Business Resources. When you join the DSF team you will enjoy a supportive and innovative environment where your work has a profound impact on the lives of students and their families.

As a nonprofit organization DSFs mission is to inspire and empower DPS students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education by providing the tools knowledge and financial resources essential for success. By embodying the core values of equity innovation leadership learning relationships and integrity in everything we do DSF strives to be a leader within the community. As we constantly seek to improve our services we build strong relationships with college staff members partners students team members and the broader community. We are committed to justice equity diversity and inclusion believing in the value and ability of all students and team members.

We seek candidates who will model live and reinforce DSFs mission and core values with colleagues students families and the broader community. If you are passionate about the philosophy and mission of DSF then we invite you to join us and help make college possible for Denvers students.

Job Summary

Responsible for supporting creation and implementation of financial aid trainings and resources for the DSF Program team. This position is 20 hours per week reporting to the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid and serving as a member of the Financial Aid Task Force and Scholarship team.

Responsibilities

Financial Aid 100

• Actively participate in Financial Aid Task Force (FATF).
• Convene meetings of and lead Training and Resources subcommittees of FATF.
• In partnership with the Director of Scholarships & Financial aid and in collaboration with members of the FATF identify training topics and develop and coordinate financial aid trainings for staff volunteers DSF partners and community members including creation of slides handouts registration forms attendance tracking tools and other materials as needed.
• In partnership with the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid and in collaboration with members of the FATF create and update materials and resources as needed to support staff volunteers students and families with financial aid completion including but not limited to the virtual & physical financial aid binders financial aid resource hub and financial aid workshop toolkit.
• Track announcements and updates from relevant professional organizations including but not limited to Federal Student Aid Colorado Department of Higher Education National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators and National College Attainment Network to ensure staff is wellinformed about and trainings and resources reflect developments in financial aid.
• Collaborate with the Director of Scholarships & Financial Aid to design and administer financial aid knowledge checks to DSF Program staff and volunteers. Utilize data from knowledge checks to design and adjust financial aid trainings and provide followup trainings as needed to staff.
• Collaborate with MarComm team on financial aid outreach efforts website updates and other projects as needed to ensure highquality support in all aspects of the financial aid process for students and families.
• Collaborate with appropriate DSF Events and Admin staff members and external partners on training locations and logistics including but not limited to room rentals and online meeting setup including setting up meeting links and rsvp forms.
• Actively participate in Staff Program and Advisor meetings and professional development opportunities as needed to support financial aid completion trainings.
• Support students and families with completion of FAFSA/CASFA and DSF/institutional scholarship applications.
• Other duties as assigned. Other duties may include research projects to support the Scholarship team and may include topics other than financial aid.

Qualifications and Requirements:

• Bachelors degree required or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office (including Teams Word PowerPoint Excel Forms Outlook)
• Exceptional attention to detail accuracy and timeliness with assigned tasks
• Excellent verbal written and interpersonal communication skills including public speaking
• Knowledge of higher education financing student financial aid and/or postsecondary education systems especially FAFSA and CASFA
• Ability to effectively use a variety of technology tools including databases various software programs internet tools and communication tools
• Ability to effectively analyze and solve problems through a systematic and logical approach
• Proactive problemsolver who demonstrates initiative and ability to work individually and as part of a team
• Demonstrated ability and desire to quickly learn new software programs and other technology tools
• Ability to effectively manage numerous complex and varying routine tasks simultaneously with a focus on accuracy in a fastpaced dynamic work environment
• Demonstrated ability to meet deadlines remain flexible and adjust to changing priorities
• Ability to work with and demonstrate sensitivity to the educational needs of a diverse population
• Keen awareness of sensitive nature of DSFs work and the need for confidentiality
• Ability to strategically employ internet searches to gather accurate credible information on a requested subject
• Ability to interpret and synthesize the results of their research to answer questions posed by leadership.
• Strong organization skills

Highly Desired:

• Working knowledge of Canva
• Coachable eager to learn capable of initiating own learning ability to implement feedback and longterm interest in college access and success financial aid and scholarships
• Demonstrated passion for helping students succeed
• Ability to facilitate effective collaboration and to resolve conflict
• A sense of humor tolerance for change and a demonstrated ability to create a positive culture and sense of empowerment for students/families
• Spanish proficiency (oral and written)

This is a parttime position and is not eligible for paid benefits nor paid holidays. Employees will accrue sick leave at a rate of one hour for every 30 hours worked.

This is an hourly nonexempt position.

Job posting will remain open until 05/24/25 and may be extended if additional time is needed to gather qualified applicants.

Denver Scholarship Foundation provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race color religion age sex national origin disability status genetics protected veteran status sexual orientation gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by federal state or local laws. Learn about DSFs commitment to Equity & Inclusion.