Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Work Habits: 40%
• Executes the technical processing and lifecycle management of federal Title IV aid programs, e.g. Workforce Pell Grant and Louisiana state aid programs, e.g. M.J. Foster Promise, including origination, disbursement, and reconciliation.
• In coordination with the Workforce and Economic Development department, monitor, package, and award workforce education grant funding to qualifying students.
• Serves as an institutional subject matter expert for federal and state compliance reporting, including submission of required data to the Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) system.
• Manages the technical packaging, awarding, and tracking of workforce education grants funded through the Banner Financial Aid Management System. Confirm attendance, enrollment, course data, charges, and eligibility for WORKFORCE students receiving various funding sources.
• Conducts detailed reconciliation of federal and state funding accounts in coordination with Student Accounts, ensuring fiscal accuracy of disbursements and resolving discrepancies between institutional records, Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), and the Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance (LOSFA).
• Administers Veteran (VA) education benefits in coordination with the institution’s VA Primary Certifying Official, including eligibility verification and compliance with Chapter 30, 33, and 35
benefit programs.
• Develops and submits federally and state-mandated program reports (e.g., Fiscal Operations Report and Application to Participate (FISAP), state grant performance data, and workforce grant expenditure reports. Advanced data analysis and regulatory knowledge required.
• Interfaces directly with external state agencies (Louisiana Office of Student Financial Assistance), Common Origination and Disbursement systems (Department of Education), and Enrollment Manager software (Veteran Affairs) to resolve complex eligibility and compliance issues, operating with a higher degree of regulatory authority and inter-agency coordination.
• Monitors dedicated workforce and scholarship fund balances for billing and expenditure purposes, coordinating with program managers and Student Accounts to ensure proper draw-down of state and federal funds.
• Maintain functional knowledge and ensure compliance with all laws, regulations, accreditation standards, and professional guidelines regarding federal and state aid programs.
• Perform other related duties as required or assigned.

Behavioral Standards: 20%
• Make recommendations regarding operations, policies, and processes to achieve continual improvement and efficiency.
• Demonstrate an elevated level of interpersonal skills to handle sensitive and confidential situations.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.
• Use independent professional judgment to advise stakeholders by instructing and interpreting information and delivering the most equitable outcome for the student.

Institutional Support: 20%
• Collaborate with institution VA Primary contact, to maintain and remain abreast of all VA policies and procedures.
• Provide updates to the Associate Director Programs and Compliance on the status of outstanding student applications and awards.
• Work with program managers concerning availability of funding resources and student enrollment.

Team Relations: 20%
• Possess the ability and endurance necessary to work the hours needed to complete the job.
• Predictable and reliable attendance is required to provide consistency and continuity of the business services provided to the college.
• Perform other duties that will assist in promoting the college within the community.

Other duties as assigned.

• Three (3) years of professional experience in higher education financial aid, banking, consumer lending, regulatory compliance, or public program administration. Demonstrated experience in eligibility determination, financial counseling or advisory services, auditing/verification, case management or grant processing.

• Three (3) years of experience in higher education financial aid, banking, consumer lending, regulatory compliance, or public assistance/grant administration, with demonstrated experience in financial advising, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, or fund packaging.
• Experience administering or coordinating workforce development grants, specialized funding programs, or Veteran (VA) education/military benefits.
• Hands-on experience with financial, student, or compliance database management systems (e.g., Banner, COD, NSLDS, or comparable enterprise financial software/CRMs).

• Soft Skills: Strong people skills. Excellent customer service skills, along with the ability to interact with a diverse population.
• Language Skills: Ability to read, analyze, and interpret general business periodicals, professional journals, technical procedures, or governmental regulations. Ability to write reports, business correspondence, and procedure manuals. Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers, and the public. Must be able to demonstrate the proven abilities of intellectual reasoning, power of persuasion, and consistent dedication to the position.
• Mathematical Skills: Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference, and fundamentals. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.
• Reasoning Ability: High Skills: Ability to solve practical problems and deal with a variety of concrete variables in situations where only limited standardization exists. The ability to interpret a variety of instructions furnished in written, oral, diagram, or schedule form.
• Computer Skills: Knowledge of Microsoft Office software (Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, and Word). Ability to learn to operate College-specific software and applications.
• Certificates, Licenses, Registrations: Criminal Background Clearance. Valid Driver’s License.
• Other Qualifications: Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines. Must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with a demonstrated ability to multi-task.