Financial Aid Program Specialist - Workforce Programs

Financial Aid Program Specialist
- Workforce Programs Job no: 495671 Closes: 8/21/2026 4:55:00 AM Work Type:
Staff Full-Time Locations:
Lafayette, LA Categories:
Financial Aid

College:South Louisiana Community College

Department:Academic & Student Affairs

Sub department:Financial Aid

Type of Appointment:Unclassified
- Administrative/Staff

Salary:$49,000.00 - $55,700.00

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 years of experience in a higher education financial aid office;
  Demonstrated experience in a higher education financial aid related to financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging required.

• Experience with Workforce funding programs and Veteran Benefits administration.
• Experience working within Common Origination and Disbursement (COD), National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), and Banner Financial Aid Management System, or other related programs.

• 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…