Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon

Financial Aid Coordinator

• Title: Financial Aid Coordinator
• Class: Academic Professional
• Exempt Status: Exempt
• Level: 5

Nature and Scope of Work

The Financial Aid Coordinator, under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, provides financial aid services to students on a district-wide basis, including two community college service districts. The Coordinator will conduct student needs analysis, perform federal verification and packaging of student aid, certify federal loan eligibility, provide financial aid/veterans counseling, make professional judgment decisions regarding student aid eligibility, adjudicate satisfactory academic progress appeals, provide group presentations, and facilitate problem solving with students and parents. The Coordinator will provide leadership and program management for an area of specialization, such as loans, grants, veterans benefits, work-study, scholarships/institutional grants, systems support, and customer service/consumer information. The Coordinator will provide supervision and direction over assigned staff. The Coordinator will interact with federal and state agencies, lenders, guarantee agencies, loan servicers, employers, vendors, social service agencies, high schools, and post secondary institutions. Incumbents in this job classification are accountable for ensuring compliance with federal regulations and safeguarding the institution’s eligibility to participate in Title IV Programs.

Principal Accountabilities (includes some or all of the following)

1. Conducts needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine the relative eligibility of each financial aid or veteran applicant.
2. Conducts verification of student and parent application data in compliance with federal criteria.
3. Determines the types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state, and institutional requirements. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards. The incumbent may be a certifying official for PCC.
4. Utilizes professional judgment on an individual basis to adjust a student’s eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances in accordance with federal statutes.
5. Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents regarding all aspects of the financial aid or veterans process. Make necessary referrals to other student service offices.
6. Provides support to students experiencing family, personal or economic crises which may impact school performance. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services.
7. Provides leadership and program management over an assigned area of specialty. Specialization assignments may include Customer Support/Consumer Information Coordinator, Grant Coordinator, Loan Coordinator, Scholarship/Institutional Grant Coordinator, Systems Support Coordinator, Veterans Services, Work Study Coordinator or Loan Default Coordinator.
8. Depending on assigned specialty area, may develop, implement and evaluate default aversion strategies, and work with loan services, guarantors, and other auxiliary service providers to remedy delinquent accounts and promote default management awareness. Facilitates resolutions for delinquent borrowers in danger of defaulting. Conducts and interprets ongoing evaluation, complex data and revision of default management procedures and financial literacy program.
9. Develops and implements training; Acts as lead and provides work assignments to assigned staff. Assists in the evaluation process of assigned staff.
10. Monitors and evaluates satisfactory academic progress of students. Adjudicates student appeals relating to academic progress.
11. Develops and conducts dynamic financial aid/veterans training and information workshops, continuously incorporating changing regulations and procedures. Workshop settings include: debt counseling sessions, college success classes, high school college nights, early awareness programs, at-risk youth programs, and financial aid application brown bag sessions. Acts as a community resource for dissemination of financial aid/veterans information.
12. Interacts with appropriate outside entities in order to facilitate the student eligibility process or to conduct the duties associated with an assigned area of specialization.
13. Participates in the development of institutional financial aid/veterans policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided.
14. Maintains appropriate database systems and generates reports.
15. Participates in annual training and professional organizations to keep abreast of new information and program changes to be implemented.
16. Performs other related duties as assigned.

Work Environment

Work is typically performed in an office environment. Extensive use of a computer requires long periods of sitting at a desk and reviewing student files. Work also involves college and outside community outreach activities.

Physical Requirements

Physical exertion is not a normal activity of this position.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, Computer Science, Social Science, or related field. Experience performing the duties of this job may substitute for the degree requirement on a year-for-year basis.

Demonstrated experience in student financial aid directly related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging required and/or assisting veterans.  Experience with personal computers and online data systems required.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

Knowledge of:

• Considerable knowledge of federal financial aid programs and supporting regulations.
• Considerable knowledge of Title IV program fund regulations.
• May need considerable knowledge of Federal and State Veterans Administration regulations.
• Knowledge of U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations.
• Knowledge of current tax regulations and the implications of such regulations on financial aid.
• Knowledge of effective supervisory methods and techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of default management and cohort default rates.

Skills in:

• Skill in researching regulatory information and resolving complex financial questions.
• Skill in operating a computer and various supporting software packages.
• Skill in computing complex mathematical formulas.

Ability to:

• Ability to interpret and explain complex regulations and policies to a diverse audience, both in one-on-one sessions and group presentations.
• Ability to defuse difficult, angry, or emotional situations with students and/or parents.
• Ability to prioritize and manage a significant case load.
• Ability to operate a variety of office equipment.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to effectively communicate in oral and written form.

Reviewed: 12/2018

• Revised: 12/2010
• Replaces: Financial Aid Coordinator, 11/10