Virginia's Community College System is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to join their team at Southside Virginia Community College (SVCC). This role involves assisting students and families through the financial aid process, ensuring they receive timely and accurate financial aid services to support their educational goals.
Responsibilities
- Assist students and parents in completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) through in‑person appointments, phone consultations, virtual sessions, and group workshops on and off campus
- Provide clear, accurate, and student-centered guidance on financial aid eligibility, documentation requirements, and application processes, helping students navigate complex financial decisions
- Use Salesforce to send communications, schedule appointments, and support student outreach initiatives
- Answer and direct all incoming phone calls for the Financial Aid Office to ensure excellent customer service
- Respond to financial aid email inquiries in a timely manner
- Conduct financial aid workshops and schedule one‑on‑one appointments for FAFSA assistance
- Complete timely awarding and data entry for all eligible students in a high-volume processing environment with established deadlines
- Utilize systems such as PeopleSoft, COD, NSLDS, and Salesforce to process and manage financial aid records and reporting
- Adjust awards after census based on enrollment, charges, and eligibility changes
- Manage and resolve required “to‑do” list items including: High School Transcripts, High School Conflict, and Proof of Veteran Status
- Handle specialized cases such as: Pell Lifetime Eligibility Used (LEU), Third‑party contracts, Social Security number mismatches, and Out‑of‑state students requiring manual review
- Manage complex financial aid scenarios requiring analysis, independent judgment, and application of federal and state regulations
- Serve as the institutional liaison for Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), ensuring student understanding of requirements and assisting with: SAP appeal processing, Communications to students, and End-of-semester procedures
- Determine student eligibility for the G3 last‑dollar program based on Virginia residency and income thresholds
- Award and track G3 funding in accordance with state guidelines and institutional procedures
- Maintain accurate documentation and compliance for all G3 program participants
- Serve as the college’s School Certifying Official (SCO) for VA education benefits
- Process all enrollment certifications in Enrollment Manager promptly and accurately
- Ensure compliance with federal regulations governing VA education benefits, including reporting enrollment changes, tracking benefit usage, and managing required documentation
- Maintain communication with the State Approving Agency (SAA) regarding program approval and compliance matters
- Provide guidance to veterans, servicemembers, reservists, and dependents regarding benefit requirements and certification timelines
- Maintain accurate, organized records in accordance with FERPA, federal guidelines, and institutional policies
- Support departmental projects, reporting requirements, and initiatives as assigned by the supervisor
- Participate in professional development and training to stay current with changes in financial aid, VA regulations, and state programs
- Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission of the college
- Contribute to institutional goals related to enrollment, retention, and completion by ensuring students receive timely and accurate financial aid support
Skills
- High School Diploma or Equivalent required
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, with students, parents, faculty, and staff in a fast-paced environment
- Strong computer and technical skills, including data entry, report generation, and use of systems such as Microsoft Office, PeopleSoft, and financial aid platforms
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information appropriately
- Strong organizational skills, including customer service, records management, and attention to detail
- Ability to multitask, prioritize, and manage multiple responsibilities effectively
- Knowledge of or ability to learn federal and state financial aid programs and regulations
- Ability to interpret, apply, and explain complex policies and regulatory requirements in a way that is clear and accessible to students and families
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively with diverse populations
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
- Ability to adapt to changing priorities and work in a fast-paced environment
- Strong analytical and mathematical skills related to financial aid processing and eligibility
- Demonstrated cultural competence and commitment to supporting diverse student populations
- Ability to understand and communicate complex government regulations to students and stakeholders
- Valid driver's license required
- Experience working in a financial aid office or higher education setting
- Administrative office support experience in higher education preferred
- Experience with PeopleSoft Student Information System or similar database systems
- Familiarity with federal and state financial aid programs and regulations
- Experience supporting financial aid processes such as FAFSA completion, awarding, or SAP
- Experience working with Veterans Affairs education benefits or willingness to learn SCO responsibilities
- Experience supporting outreach, workshops, or student engagement initiatives
- Experience with data systems and reporting tools preferred
- Ability to work occasional evenings and weekends to support student activities or events
Benefits
Company Overview
Since 1966, Virginia’s Community Colleges have given everyone the opportunity to learn and develop the right skills so lives and communities are strengthened. It was founded in 1966, and is headquartered in Richmond, Virginia, USA, with a workforce of 201-500 employees. Its website is https://www.vccs.edu/.