Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

Financial Aid Technician I

  • Title: Financial Aid Technician I
  • Class: Classified
  • Exempt Status: Non-Exempt
  • Grade: 16

Nature and Scope of Work

Under the direction of Financial Aid management, responsible for providing a variety of technical services in support of the student financial aid application process. Performs initial intake and technical review of all financial aid applications in assigned caseload. Performs scanning and linking of requested documents into the document imaging system. Advises and assists students regarding all aspects of financial aid programs, forms, regulations and procedures. Reviews and processes documents and computer data required to complete transactions. May be responsible for reporting financial aid information to appropriate agencies. Incumbent employs good communication and human relations skills in interacting with a variety of people that may include students, staff, faculty, general public, other colleges, federal and state agencies, and lenders. Incumbent performs technical financial aid processes on an independent basis subject to supervisory direction and review.

This job classification is distinguished from the Financial Aid Technician II in that the Financial Aid Technician I focuses on the performance of routine financial aid support services such as the initial intake and technical review of financial aid applications in an assigned caseload. The Financial Aid Technician II performs advanced work related to financial aid award revisions, debt counseling and resolving data discrepancies and over-awards.

Principal Accountabilities (includes some or all of the following)

  1. Performs initial intake and technical review of financial aid applications according to technical specifications in assigned caseload.
  2. Performs scanning and linking of all requested documents into the document imaging system. May troubleshoot software and hardware problems.
  3. Updates appropriate Banner screens related to intake review process.
  4. Requests information and appropriate documents as determined by the intake review of financial aid applications.
  5. Provides technical information and assistance to students, prospective students, and the public regarding highly complex financial aid programs, policies and procedures over the phone and/or at the front counter.
  6. Assists applicants in completing the various complex and technical forms (both paper and online) required for student financial aid.
  7. Prepares documents certifying financial aid eligibility of students for outside agencies.
  8. Reconciles various reports to ensure accuracy of system; resolves discrepancies.
  9. Generates various tracking, award and denial letters for students and prospective students. Prepares letters for mailing by determining appropriate enclosures to include with each letter.
  10. Performs data entry to convert award notifications.
  11. Participates in professional development activities and attends training workshops.
  12. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is performed in a standard office environment. Incumbent may be required to work extended hours on an intermittent basis. Some evening and Saturday work is necessary on a rotational basis. Job demands can be difficult due to heavy work flow, the meeting of deadlines, continual interruptions, changing regulations, and competing priorities.

Physical Requirements

Learned physical skill is required to perform keyboarding functions.

Minimum Qualifications

High school diploma or equivalent. One year of college level course work in business, social science or related area. Experience performing the duties of the job for one year may substitute for the college level course work.

Two years of experience working in an environment which involves providing technical assistance and guidance to others and working with complex procedures and regulations. Must have the ability to quickly learn and apply job related financial aid rules/regulations. Good verbal and human relations skills required. Must be detail oriented. Must have the ability to maintain accurate records and convey complex technical information to students, staff and the public. Requires keyboarding, filing, math and good problem solving skills. Computer skills (data entry, document imaging and word processing) required.

Reviewed:12/18

  • Rev: 4/04
  • Replaces: Financial Aid Technician I, Gr.16, 6/03