Program Specialist - Student Financial Services

Program Specialist 3
- Student Financial Services

South Puget Sound Community College (SPSCC) seeks highly motivated, qualified individuals for the Program Specialist 3
- Student Financial Services position. 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 work to engage students and provide them with tools for lifelong financial literacy through presentations and partnerships with the community and third-party providers.

South Puget Sound Community College is committed to increasing its cultural diversity with an emphasis on equity and inclusion among its professional staff. A firm understanding of anti-racist policy development, coupled with the skills to eliminate barriers that harm underrepresented people, is a college requirement. The students that we serve come from a variety of backgrounds. On average, 43% of SPSCC students are people of color.

We strongly encourage members of the underrepresented groups, veterans, and bi- or multi-lingual individuals to apply for this position to help meet the needs of our diverse students and service district.

And if that isn't enough? We also offer:

• A healthy work/life balance for our employees, with the opportunity for flexible work schedules and remote work, depending on position and college needs
• The Clipper Coffee Corner serves Batdorf & Bronson coffee and a selection of delicious food
• A brand new Health & Wellness Center
• FREE Bus service every 15 minutes to downtown Olympia and beyond
• FREE parking on our campuses – permits are not required
• On-campus child care
• Many walking paths are marked and on nicely paved sidewalks
• SPSCC promotes wellness with a variety of workshops and events on campus
• Lots of activities with our Artist & Lecture series, which are FREE for staff and faculty
• Many community events in the Kenneth J. Minnaert Center for the Arts
• Employee Resource Groups (ERGs) that offer an opportunity for SPSCC employees to gather and connect around issues that define them personally and which affect their work at the College and their professional development. Current Employee Resource Groups include:
• Staff and Faculty of Color (SFOC) ERG - an employee network that strives to create an intentional and relational foundation for community and trust-building across different groups through shared values.
• The LGBTQIA+ ERG creates a space for LGBTQIA+ staff and faculty at the college to share resources, build support and community, and work towards greater equity and accessibility.

The Program Specialist 3 reviews, processes, and awards student aid in compliance with financial aid regulations. This role involves advising students on grants, scholarships, and the application process, as well as managing a specialized program.

Essential Function:
Student Services & Eligibility Administration:

• Analyze incoming financial aid applications and supporting documentation to determine eligibility in accordance with applicable federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Perform file verification (C-codes, conflicting info, professional judgment) when selected by the Department of Education or as directed.
• Independently advise students and families on federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, application processes, and eligibility 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 -…