Program Specialist - Financial Aid Programs

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) invites applications from highly motivated and qualified candidates for the position of a full-time
Program Specialist 3 - Financial Aid Programs.

South Puget Sound Community College's mission is "to support student success in postsecondary academic transfer and workforce education that responds to the needs of the South Sound region". This position will promote student success by fostering student learning and understanding of grants, scholarships, and other forms of financial aid. This position will also engage students and provide tools for lifelong financial literacy through presentations and partnerships with the community and third-party providers.

The Program Specialist 2 reports directly to the Director of Operations and Strategic Programming and coordinates duties for the Training Programs within the Corporate and Continuing Education department. The programs administered by this department support Workforce Education and are designed to be responsive to community needs.

The annual salary range for this position is $59,760.00 - $78,504.00.

• Analyzing incoming financial aid applications and documentation for eligibility based on applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations
• Perform file verification (C-codes, conflicting information, information, professional judgment) when selected by the Department of Education or as directed
• Independently advise students and families on the federal, state, and institutional financial aid application process and program criteria
• Read, interpret, and implement local, state, and federal regulations applicable to the assigned program area; identify where federal and state guidelines align and differ
• Determine eligibility and award aid in accordance with regulatory requirements and internal awarding policies including Pell, SEOG, WCG, CBS, Federal/State Work Study, VA Benefits, and Direct Loans as applicable to assignment.
• Evaluate Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP): review Financial Aid Appeals for future eligibility and ensure compliance with Federal and State regulations.
• Evaluate and reconcile student data across multiple systems - ctclink, cashiering registration, EAB Navigate
  360, COD, and government databases - contacting outside parties or students as needed to resolve discrepancies and adjust aid packages.
• Coordinate with Work Force Training, Opportunity Grant, and other grant program staff to ensure accurate and timely awarding across funding streams.
• Support special projects and initiatives assigned by the Director or Dean.
• Support and focus on the vision, mission, and goals of the organization and team.
• Deliver high-quality, culturally responsive customer services across in-person, virtual, phone and email channels; apply an equity lens to all interactions and actively work to mitigate systemic barriers for first-generation, disabled, domestic violence-affected, and formerly justice-involved students.
• Counsel applications through complex application materials with strict confidentiality - including immigrations status, complex tax situations, and individual/family barriers - following federal and state guidelines; connect students with funding options through state, federal, and third-party agencies.
• Understand the historical barriers for Black/African American, Indigenous, Latinx, and Pacific Islander students and apply that understanding to daily practice and student-facing interactions.
• Utilize EAB Navigate
  360 to communicate with students, set appointment availability, and respond to student inquiries

• Lead or support disbursement and fund authorization processing; run reports and queries in ctclink to identify and resolve disbursement errors; adjust and cancel aid based on enrollment changes or regulatory requirements and notify students as appropriate
• Perform electronic file transfers to COD and WSAC on federally and state-required schedules; correct rejected originations and disbursements; monitor and resolve reporting exceptions (e.g., MRR/POPS); maintain Aid Year Rollover run controls and file configurations
• Reconcile program funds with COD, WSAC, and the Finance Office on schedule established by program regulations; collaborate with student financials, cashiers, and payroll to investigate and resolve data discrepancies; track program expenditures and verify fund balances monthly, quarterly, and…