Program Specialist - Financial Aid Federal Loan Programs

Columbia Basin College ("CBC" or the "College") seeks a Program Specialist 2 to interpret and apply federal, state and college financial aid rules and regulations. The Program Specialist 2 will provide complex student financial aid program information to students, staff and the public. This position will oversee and administer federal student loan programs and, as a member of the Financial Aid Office, provide in‑depth service to customers from various socio‑economic and cultural backgrounds.

The Program Specialist 2 reports to the Assistant Director for Financial Aid.

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If you have questions or need assistance during the application or search process, please contact the recruiter for this position, Denise Cook at dcook or (509) 542‑4407.

• Independently oversee and perform all functions pertaining to the administration of federal student loans. This includes reviewing and evaluating student requests, determining eligibility, awarding loan funds appropriately, completing the federal loan origination and disbursement processes and reconciling awards with internal and external systems;
• Ensure institutional compliance with federal regulations pertaining to federal student loan programs and consult with and advise the financial aid director and assistant director in updating policies and procedures;
• Act as department and program liaison with internal and external partners in communicating federal student loan information and resolving any problems that arise;
• Coordinate default management efforts with the College’s third‑party default management agency;
• Serve as backup to the staff members responsible for administering work study programs and financial aid application processing by back‑filling all required program functions and processes as needed;
• Analyze and evaluate student applicant data by interpreting and applying extensive knowledge of regulations, policies and procedures to determine eligibility for federal, state and institutional financial aid programs;
• Perform federal verification of student and parent information, including income/assets, as part of file review for a selection of student applicants;
• Review federal and state rules/regulations and make recommendations regarding office policy and procedures;
• Construct student aid awards, adhering to internal awarding policies and maintaining compliance with federal and state regulations;
• Provide in‑depth customer service to students, the public and other staff within the institution regarding all matters related to financial aid;
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university, or equivalent combination of education, training and experience;
• Two (2) years of full‑time clerical experience.

• Bachelor’s degree from an institutionally accredited college or university;
• Experience working in higher education.

Analytical Skills
:

• Synthesize complex or diverse information;
• Collect and research data;
• Use intuition and experience to complement data;
• Design workflows and procedures.

Customer Service Skills
:

• Manage difficult or emotional customer situations;
• Respond promptly to customer needs;
• Solicit customer feedback to improve service;
• Respond to requests for service and assistance;
• Meet commitments.

Dependability
:

• Follow instructions, respond to management direction;
• Take responsibility for actions;
• Keep commitments and complete tasks on time or notify appropriate person with an alternate plan.

Oral Communication
:

• Ability to speak clearly and persuasively in positive or negative situations;
• Listen and get clarification;
• Respond well to questions;
• Demonstrate group presentation skills;
• Participate in meetings.

Problem Solving Skills
:

• Identify and resolve problems in a timely manner;
• Gather and analyze information skillfully;
• Develop alternative solutions;
• Work well in group problem‑solving situations;
• Use reason even when dealing with emotional topics.

Professionalism
:

• Ability to approach others in a tactful manner;
• React well under pressure;
• Treat others with respect and consideration regardless of their status or…