Financial Aid Specialist & Outreach
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Job Location:
Spartanburg, SC - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not Disclosed
Posted on:
5 days ago
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Job Summary
Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Specialist serves as the initial point of contact for students and families providing guidance on financial aid processes and assisting with applications and document intake. This position manages communications schedules appointments and supports the Financial Aid Offices front-facing addition the Specialist coordinates outreach initiatives including FAFSA completion events high school visits and community presentations to promote financial aid awareness and access. The role requires a strong understanding of financial aid programs and policies excellent communication skills and the ability to work both independently and collaboratively to ensure excellent service and regulatory compliance. A commitment to excellence is essential.
Areas of Responsibility:
- Serve as the initial point of contact for all visitors to the Financial Aid Office. Triage inquiries and direct students families and visitors to the appropriate staff or office. Assist applicants with completing the FAFSA scholarship forms and other required documentation. Deliver exceptional customer service by answering questions guiding visitors and addressing general inquiries promptly and professionally.
- Plan and coordinate events including FAFSA nights high school visits and other outreach initiatives. Provide presentations guidance and support to students and families throughout Spartanburg County schools. Assist with other enrollment events and outreach initiatives to support student engagement and promote financial aid awareness.
- Manage Slate communications for events including email campaigns and text messaging ensuring accurate distribution and follow-up.
- Manage office communications including phone calls voicemail emails and text messages ensuring they are routed promptly to the appropriate staff member. Maintain professional and courteous interactions at all times.
- Schedule and manage appointments coordinating meetings for students families and staff as needed.
- Receive and review financial aid documents for completeness and accuracy. Ensure proper organization and routing of documents to the appropriate staff for further processing.
- Serve as a point of contact for outside agencies including S.C. Vocational Rehabilitation Department of Social Services and other relevant organizations providing requested information and support.
- Performs other related duties as assigned to support the overall operations and goals of the Financial Aid Office.
Skills Knowledge and Abilities:
- Excellent organizational skills attention to detail and efficiency in recordkeeping.
- Ability to work well with individuals with diverse backgrounds.
- Ability to communicate effectively both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to establish positive working relationships with members of the college community and members of the public.
- Ability to work independently to perform assigned tasks.
- Demonstrated public presentation skills.
- Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office suite especially Excel
- Preferred experience with Ellucian Colleague Technolutions Slate and/or NextGen Dynamic Forms.
- Preferred experience with Department of Educations FAFSA Partner Connect and related sites such as COD NSLDS and FAFSA Partner Portal.
Willingness to work evening hours and weekends as needed.
Working Conditions:
The work is normally performed in an office environment which at times will require significant contact with students and family members. The work will include public presentations both on and off campus. Some evening and weekends hours as needed.
Physical Requirements:
- Light physical exertion. Normally seated standing or walking at will. Periodic handling of parcels or supplies. Use of handcart for transporting admissions materials.
- Ability to access office files and make public presentations.
- Manual and physical dexterity and visual acuity are needed to operate a computer keyboard and handle paper documents.
- Sufficient near vision acuity to read information appearing on a computer monitor in handwritten form and printed on paper.
- Adequate hearing and verbal abilities to communicate effectively in person and by telephone.
Education and Experience:
- Bachelors degree required.
- Minimum of one (1) to three (3) years of experience in higher education preferred.
- Knowledge of South Carolina state aid is preferred but not a requirement.
- Bilingual in Spanish is preferred
About the College: Founded in 1911 Spartanburg Methodist College is a private residential liberal arts institution serving a diverse student population within the United Methodist Connection. Since its founding as the first co-op school in the nation SMC has remained dedicated to its mission to connect education and employment. After over 100 years as an Associate Degree granting institution the college launched its first bachelors degree in 2019. SMC is growing significantly adding new programs and consistently evaluating operations because of a campus-wide commitment to innovation and a passion for designing all campus programs to serve its student population intentionally. Today the colleges emphasis on education and employment includes a unique professional development concentration comprised of eight required courses for students seeking associate and bachelors degrees. SMC is committed to its student demographic and believes that global impact is possible through their success.
Spartanburg Methodist College does not discriminate on the basis of race color creed religion sex age national or ethnic origin disability veteran status sexual orientation or any legally protected status in any personnel action regarding the recruiting hiring and promotion of faculty and staff members.
All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory results of a background investigation. SMC participates in the federalE-Verify program.
SMC does not maintain an open application file. Unsolicited resumes will not be considered.
Required Experience:
IC
Key Skills
- Financial Services
- Financial Models
- Account Management
- General Ledger Accounts
- ERP
- Payroll
- External Auditors
- Customer Relationships
- Credit Card
- Financial Statements
- Business Units
- Annual Budget
- Income
- New Clients
- Financial Management
About Company
Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, non-profit college offering associate degree and bachelor's degree programs on-campus and online. It was founded in 1911 as one the country's first work-study colleges and is open to students of all religious and non-religious backgrounds.
