Financial Aid Specialist

Lamar Institute of Technology is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including and as it pertains to pregnancy and wages), national origin, disability, age, genetic information, protected veteran status, and/or retaliation.

The Financial Aid Specialist’s responsibilities include, but are not limited to, delivering exceptional customer service while performing general administrative duties associated with providing assistance through numerous grant, loan, scholarship, and employment programs. Acts as an intermediary between student applicants and various state and federal financial aid agencies to ensure compliance with necessary regulations while processing and awarding financial assistance. Provides administrative support related to the operations of the Student Financial Aid office by performing various customer service, clerical, and student counseling duties.

This is a non‑exempt position.

• Assist applicants throughout the financial aid process.
• Provide individual assistance when necessary to ensure aid is awarded properly and in a timely manner.
• Responsible for customer service interaction, in person and by telephone, providing students and parents with general information and specific financial aid assistance.
• Verify completion and accuracy of student information by reviewing and posting required data via the document‑tracking element of the Financial Aid Management system (FAM).
• Perform necessary verification functions by analyzing required tax forms and other financial documents, and comparing data to the students’ federal records.
• Facilitate needed corrections to student records through Department of Education electronic procedures.
• Act as a liaison between students/parents and lending institutions, other schools, and state and federal agencies.
• Serve as a representative to the community by presenting financial aid workshops and seminars for LIT students as well as various external groups and organizations.
• Perform clerical functions associated with processing student data records, communicating with students, maintaining student files, assisting with scholarships and processing mail.
• Demonstrate knowledge of FERPA regulations when dealing with students and their families.
• Deliver exceptional customer service at all times.

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Two year’s previous office experience.
• Experience in a financial aid program or related environment; demonstrated record of positive customer‑oriented service experience. Word processing, spreadsheet programs and Internet capabilities required.
• Selection and/or continued employment requires acceptable financial standing within the academic system and the ability to secure and retain full access to the National Student Loan Database system (NSLDS).

• Associate’s degree, diploma or equivalent from a college, technical, or business school.
• Experience with Banner Software Systems computer modules including Financial Aid, Student and/or Finance;
  Oracle platform or SQL programming a plus.
• Exceptional Customer Service skills including telephone etiquette.
• Excellent communication skills both oral and written.
• Work accurately and pay close attention to details.
• Apply critical thinking skills.
• Perform multiple tasks with frequent interruptions.
• Analyze data, work under pressure, solve problems, accept and implement change.

This position requires the ability to: remain in a stationary position for most of the time; occasionally move about inside an office to access documents, office equipment, etc.; constantly operate a computer or other office equipment, such as a printer or copy machine.

• Lamar Institute of Technology is an E‑Verify Employer.
• This position is security‑sensitive and thereby subject to the provisions of the Texas Education Code 51.215, which authorizes the employer to obtain criminal history record information.  for the Security Sensitive Release Form.