Financial Aid Associate

Henry Ford College presents an opportunity for a Financial Aid Associate.

The Financial Aid Associate reports to the Assistant Director of Financial Aid and is responsible for assisting in the processing of financial aid applications, including data-entry of relevant documents, completion of verification process, resolution of SAR-Cs, packaging of awards, and resolution of overawards, as well as assigned processes for file completion.   The Financial Aid Associate will also provide excellent customer service in the Office of Financial Aid in a professional and timely manner by responding to questions from students and college staff via telephone calls, emails, in-person and Teams chat.  Assist in the advising of students, potential students and parents as to their financial aid inquiries.  Assist with financial aid presentations to students, parents and staff regarding the financial aid process.

Hours: 10:00 am - 6:30 pm on Monday and Thursday and 8:00 am - 4:30 pm on Tuesday/Wednesday/Friday.  The successful candidate will have a career that reflects:

* At least one (1) year financial aid experience.
* Passing scores on required HFC Financial Aid Associate Skills and Knowledge Assessment Test. 
* Associate degree from a regionally accredited institution.
* Experience verifying financial aid applications and packaging of state/federal need-based financial aid programs.
* Significant understanding of federal regulations related to the verification and processing of federal aid programs.
* Strong organizational skills with the ability to recognize and follow through on priorities in a timely manner.
* Experience with mainframe software applications and/or personal computer applications and willingness to be trained in new technology.
* Strong written and oral communication skills.
* Strong analytical skills.
* Must be personable, energetic, and have a customer service approach to interacting with students, staff and the community.
* Ability to work cooperatively with other offices and academic departments across the College.
* Ability to manage multiple tasks, meet deadlines, is flexible and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment required. Must also be able to work well under pressure in a high-stress environment.
* Ability to use good judgment in handling office matters in confidential and discrete manner.
* Ability to present financial aid information in front of groups of students, prospective students, classrooms and outreach events.

Position Competencies: 

* Building Cooperative Teams - Encourages and builds mutual trust, respect and cooperation among team members; seizes opportunities and utilizes creative methods to build team cooperation and cohesion. 
* Computer Skills - Uses computers, software applications, databases, and automated systems to accomplish work. 
* Integrity/Honesty - Contributes to maintaining the integrity of the organization; displays high standards of ethical conduct and understands the impact of violating these standards on an organization, self, and others; is trustworthy. 
* Problem Solving - Identifies problems; determines accuracy and relevance of information; uses sound judgment to generate and evaluate alternatives, and to make recommendations. 

Departmental Competencies: 

* Attention to Detail - Is thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail. 
* Compliance - Knowledge of procedures for assessing, evaluating, and monitoring programs or projects for compliance with Federal laws, regulations, and guidance. 
* Dependability and Reliability - Behaves consistently and predictably; is reliable, responsible and dependable in fulfilling obligations; diligently follows through on commitments and consistently meets deadlines. Demonstrates regular and punctual attendance; rarely is late for meetings or appointments. 
* Interpersonal Skills - Shows understanding, friendliness, courtesy, tact, empathy, concern, and politeness to others; develops and maintains effective relationships with others; may include effectively dealing with individuals who are difficult, hostile, or distressed; relates well to people from varied backgrounds and different situations; is sensitive to cultural diversity, race, gender, disabilities, and other individual differences. 
* Self-Management - Sets well-defined and realistic personal goals; displays a high level of initiative, effort, and commitment towards completing assignments in a timely manner; works with minimal supervision; is motivated to achieve; demonstrates responsible behavior. 
* Written Communication - Writes in a clear, concise, organized, and convincing manner for the intended audience.
* Maintain knowledge of legislation and regulations governing financial aid programs, needs analysis methodology, federal and state tax laws and office policies and procedures.
* Assist in the processing of applications for financial aid packaging, needs analysis/assessment, verification, determining financial aid eligibility and the packaging/awarding of federal, state and institutional programs.
* Ensure accurate and timely data-entry or records update of materials (including imaged documents) received in the Office of Financial Aid; process all applicant data; update Ellucian Colleague and/or other appropriate software systems; generate award letters and follow-up letters; expedite financial aid processing, loan tracking, and loan approval processes.
* Advise and provide written, as well as telephone and in-person communication to students, parents, and outside agencies on all phases of financial aid office operations, policies, and procedures. Ensure that all such interactions are handled in a professional and timely manner.
* Respond accurately, thoroughly, and promptly to all students, faculty, staff, and community questions and concerns about any function of the College and/or refer them to other information resources as appropriate. -Serve on rotating IM schedule to respond to staff questions.
* Interact with other College departments and personnel as appropriate. Responsibilities may include information sharing, coordination of departmentally sponsored programs, or processing financial aid for selected groups of students.
* Assist with presentations at college-sponsored events/gatherings which promote and explain the College's financial aid process to prospective students and their parents.
* Collect data for various federal, state, and institutional reports as appropriate.
* Attend support staff workshops and other training functions as directed by supervisor.
* Assist Enrollment Services staff as requested, both on the phone, via IM and in the customer services areas of the Welcome Center.
* Perform other duties as assigned

While we have attempted to capture the core functional responsibilities in the role, this position description is not meant to be all inclusive. Therefore, performing additional job-related duties not listed above may be required as assigned.For applicants viewing this ad from an external site, please go to hr.hfcc.edu/ and select the "Jobs" link to apply.For further information about HFC, please visit us at www.hfcc.edu or on Facebook, hfcc.edu/facebook, Twitter, twitter.com/hfcc, LinkedIn, linkedin.com/company/henry-ford-college.