Program Specialist 3 (Financial Aid)
Job Location:
Longview, WA - USA
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
Job Summary
- Details
At a Glance!Lower Columbia Colleges Financial Aid department is currently accepting applications for our open Program Specialist 3 position. This role holds a pivotal position within the educational institution serving as the lead for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) compliance Bachelors degree student support and scholarship processing.
The Financial Aid team is a dynamic group of individuals whose mission is to provide equitable student support while fostering campus initiatives and growth.
Who You Are: The ideal candidate is an equity-driven analytical financial aid professional dedicated to removing systemic barriers and ensuring student success. This individual excels at navigating complex federal and state regulations leveraging database systems like PeopleSoft (ctcLink) to manage critical caseloads quarterly SAP reviews and scholarship reconciliations with meticulous precision. A culturally responsive communicator and detail-oriented lead they are skilled at establishing a student-centered environment collaborating across campus partners and advancing institutional goals for diversity equity and inclusion.
The Position: This multifaceted role requires comprehensive knowledge of SAP regulations expertise in supporting Bachelors degree students and proficiency in managing scholarship programs. The incumbent will play a central role in advancing the equity-centered mission of Lower Columbia College by ensuring smooth delivery of student financial aid to prospective and currently enrolled students and their families with a focus on advancing access to marginalized communities.
This position provides expertise in program guidance and support for identified student populations to ensure students have the best opportunity to achieve their educational goals.The nature of the work is professional and requires an ability to interpret and work in accordance with federal state and college rules policies procedures and regulations.The position performs highly complex duties that enables the department to maintain regulatory compliance.
This position is classified as a Program Specialist 3 by the State of Washington. This position is 40 hours per week with a typical schedule of Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 5:00pm. This position will be primarily on campus with the potential for a regular hybrid schedule after the training period. This position reports to the Director of Financial Aid.
Why LCCVisit ourCandidate Hubto learn more about our campus culture and benefits.
Successful candidates typically start towards the beginning of the salary range and will receive scheduled salary increases.
Check us out onFacebookandInstagram!- Example of Duties & Responsibilities
Financial Aid Responsibilities
- Understanding of the historical barriers for students (Black/African American Indigenous Latinx and Pacific Islander) and commitment to student success applying an equity to the administration of all federal state and institutional financial aid programs.
- Assists in updating policy and procedure manual as needed for SAP processes BA student support and scholarship processing management including finding efficiencies in processes.
- Evaluating student eligibility by using tools such as ctcLink National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Financial Aid Administrators Access to FAFSA Partner Portal (FPP) and the Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) portal to perform daily tasks.
- Support and focus on the vision mission and goals of the organization and team.
- Other duties as assigned to support the goals and objectives of the department and the college.
- Lead department review of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) process including review of academic records review of students on SAP probation to ensure standards are being met including credits completed pace maximum timeframe and GPA.
- Coordinate student grades quarterly with Registration.
- Run process in PeopleSoft (ctcLink) related to SAP processing and grade/credit calculation on a quarterly basis.
- Prepare SAP appeals for staff and SAP Appeal Committee to review.
- Review and approve or deny all first SAP appeals.
- Manage student SAP statuses/checklists and communication in ctcLink.
- Weekly SAP review of former LCC students returning.
- Monitor and award student case load distributed by alpha and BA degree seeking students. Award and adjust as required students financial aid including but not limited to Pell SEOG WCG Work-study and Direct/private Student Loans.
- Work with campus partners (academic departments registration and cashiering) to provide proactive support with BA case management.
- Collaborate with campus and community partners (LCC Foundation Athletics Finance and off campus scholarship donors) to ensure timely awarding of scholarship funds.
- Foundation scholarship quarterly grade review of foundation scholarship recipients to determine continued scholarship eligibility based on donor criteria.
- Monthly reconciliation of scholarship awards to ensure funds have applied to student accounts in full.
- Participate in workshops discussions and learning opportunities regularly around diversity equity and inclusion.
- Implement equity tools and strategies obtained through various training opportunities to daily work.
- Actively support engage in and work to advance Lower Columbia Colleges goals for equity and inclusion in order to provide access and support for our diverse community of learners.
- Promote student engagement through campus involvement.
- Provide advocacy for historically underrepresented students
- Typical Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
Associate degree in a relevant field OR a combination of education and work experience.
Two years of full-time work experience in an educational environment providing direct student services (such as academic advising One-Stop Financial Aid TRiO multicultural services or Work Force Education).
Intermediate knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite and Google Suites.
Experience working with electronic information management systems/database software including state and federal financial aid platforms.
Analytical critical thinking and problem-solving skills to evaluate aid applications.
Experience working with privacy laws and confidentiality issues.
Ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in a team environment.
Collaborates effectively with diverse populations to build an inclusive customer-service-oriented and student-centered environment.
Ability to work accurately with numbers and detail.
Ability to access federal student aid systems by not being in default on a federal student loan.
Preferred Qualifications:
Bachelors degree in a relevant field from an accredited institution.
Two years of full-time financial aid work experience.
Experience supporting students in Bachelor Degree Programs.
Ability to speak a regionally top spoken language other than English is preferred (Spanish Russian and Chuukese).
Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations and requirements.
Demonstrated experience with database systems and federal databases and programs such as NSLDS COD and FPP.
Professional credential (s) from the National Association of Student Financial Aid Association (NASFAA) or Certified Financial Aid Administrator (FAAC) designation preferred.
Experience with PeopleSoft or other Financial Aid Management systems.
The minimum qualifications may seem specific and limiting but we do consider candidates with relatable education experience and skills. We encourage you to apply even if you dont meet exactly whats listed. With questions about qualifications feel free to reach out to our HR team.
- Supplemental Information
Equal Employment Opportunity
Lower Columbia College provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race color national origin citizenship or immigration status age perceived or actual physical or mental disability pregnancy genetic information sex sexual orientation gender identity marital status creed religion honorably discharged veteran or military status or use of a trained guide dog or service animal as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 Title IX of the Educational Amendments of 1972 Sections 504 and 508 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendment Act the Age Discrimination Act of 1975 the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act and Washington States Law Against Discrimination Chapter 49.60 RCW and their implementing regulations. All Inquiries regarding compliance with Title IX access equal opportunity and/or grievance procedures should be directed to Jason Arrowsmith Director of Security 1600 Maple Street PO Box 3010 Longview WA 98632 Phone number Phone number/TTY .- Learn more on our Non-Discrimination and Anti-Harassment page.
- The college is compliant with Title IX best practices. For more information visit About Title IX.
- The college encourages qualified members of protected classes to apply.
LCC celebrates and embraces diversity of all kinds including differing beliefs cultures people and experiences. We commit to institutional and individual changes that recognize understand and challenge patterns of social inequity and systemic disparities within our ever-changing world. For more information seeDiversity & Equity.
Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report:
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Crime Statistics Act of 1998 and as a part of the Colleges commitment to safety and security on campus Lower Columbia College reports the mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues the required statistics and other related information for the past three (3) calendar years. Lower Columbia Colleges Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at Regarding Sexual Misconduct
Pursuant to RCW 28B.112.080 applicants must declare whether they are the subject of any substantiated findings of sexual misconduct in any current or former employment or professional association or is currently being investigated for or have left a position during an investigation into a violation of any sexual misconduct policy at the applicants current or past employers or professional associations. By law post-secondary education institutions cannot hire an applicant who does not complete this form.
Mission Vision & Values
Our Mission Vision & Values define our reason for being and provide the framework for planning and improvement efforts at LCC. For details on LCCs Mission Vision & Values see ourStrategic Plan.
Application Procedure and Requirements
An online application must be completed for consideration. Paper submissions or emailed materials will not be accepted. A complete application must also include the following documents (attached or in the online application itself):- Resume
- Cover Letter (Letter of Interest)
- Unofficial transcripts including undergraduate and graduate coursework
Conditions of Employment
If you are hired you will need to provide proof of identity and documentation of U.S. citizenship or appropriate legal authorization to work for the duration of this position as required by the Immigration Reform Control Act of 1995.- Prior to a new hire a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicants suitability and competence to perform in the position.
- The College is committed to maintain an environment for teaching and learning which is free of drugs and alcohol.
For any questions regarding this job advertisement and/or department or campus culture please call our Human Resources office at or email us directly at.
Required Experience:
IC
