Financial Aid Technical Support Specialist

San Mateo County Community College District

1. Maintains currency with Federal and State regulations that may have an effect on financial aid processing and plays a lead role in the research, understanding, and interpretation of policies and regulations and their effect on system configuration
2. Completes necessary research and analysis to communicate with ITS and other staff configuration requirements needed for compliance with policies and regulations
3. Participates in community outreach activities to promote financial aid and enrollment services; drives a motor vehicle to attend off-site meetings, workshops, recruitment programs, and other special events to obtain and provide current information
4. Leads the effort to prepare training documentation and to train other staff on policies and procedures
5. Generates various reports and letters and coordinates automation with ITS
6. Works closely with ITS staff in configuring and testing the annual new year roll setup, Banner upgrades, and related system changes as well as current and forthcoming software from the Department of Education and California Student Aid Commission for monitoring, processing, and reporting of grants, scholarships, loans, and other sources of financial assistance
7. Exchanges financial aid and enrollment services policy and procedural information with students, parents, staff, other educational institutions, community organizations, business representatives, funding agency personnel, and the general public
8. Serves as a technical resource for the College and District regarding financial aid and various student-related services
9. Makes presentations to small and large groups regarding available loans and grants, eligibility criteria, programs and services offered, required forms and timelines, and other information
10. Conducts detailed data assessments in order to select appropriate loans, grants, and other programs for students based on eligibility and need; assists supervisory staff on special and regular projects and reports as assigned; monitors program expenditures using prescribed funding agency and District policies and financial guidelines
11. Confers with or attends training opportunities from government and funding agencies regarding immigration, tax, residency, and other eligibility issues
12. Meets with students to assess their financial aid eligibility, student standing, and projected financial and enrollment service needs
13. Computes and compiles data using various databases from student and funding agency records in conjunction with other colleges, ITS, and other District staff
14. Prepares original correspondence, narratives, memoranda, and research data reports in support of programs and services and to document eligibility
15. Tracks and reports on trends in student population changes, economic status, college completion rates, student usage of related college services, and other data
16. Researches data for and completes required funding agency and District reports and surveys
17. Compiles confidential and other data to assess and document student income status, expenditures and projected budgets, enrollment status, grades, employment records, immigration status, residency, tax filing status, and other information and initiates awards for students
18. Analyzes and verifies students records using electronic or paper-supporting documentation to identify errors, correct data, and reprocess changes in student records as required
19. Identifies and reports anomalies or other information that may identify potential fraud or misuse of State or Federal funds
20. Uses a variety of computer systems, software, and websites to set up, maintain, and monitor confidential and other student records and files
21. Confers with students, staff, and others, as applicable to resolve complex application and eligibility issues
22. Leads the work of clerical and other staff on special projects and other workloads as assigned

• Associates degree or the equivalent in business administration, accounting, or a closely related field OR an equivalent combination of education and experience
• Three years of experience in a financial aid office with a strong background in computer solutions
• A strong understanding of the Banner Enterprise System with familiarity with interactions between cashiering, admissions and records, and financial aid
• Ability to navigate and work with multiple secure federal systems and websites including, but not limited to NSLDS, COD, EdConnect, and IFAP
• Ability to manage compliance issues for federal, state, and District procedures and regulations
• Ability to develop creative solutions to use federally prescribed operations to test and operate District software solutions
• Demonstrated cultural competence, sensitivity to and understanding of the diverse academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds of community college students, faculty and staff
• Demonstrated skill in oral and written communication, including public speaking
• Experience leading the work of others
• Demonstrated skill in the use of a variety of software for compiling data, composing and preparing reports, correspondence, memoranda and other written materials
• Demonstrated skill in detailed recordkeeping and the use of a database
• Demonstrated skill in working as part of a customer service team

1. Knowledge of Federal, State, District, and institutional financial aid policies, procedures, guidelines, and required reports related to the award, continuation, and follow-up of student loans, grants, student employment, Return to Title IV Programs Multiple Pell Reporting and Potential Pell Overpayments and other related services
2. Knowledge of Federal, State, and institutional programs, services, and other resources available to assist students in counseling, TRiO, CARE, EOPS, Veterans Services, eDisbursement, immigration procedures, employment, tutoring, enrollment, record keeping, and other areas
3. Knowledge of procedures for processing corrections for various Federal and State programs
4. Knowledge of the consequences of system programming, system parameter setup, and operational processes in employee time, mistakes in funding authorized for students, and errors in awarding Federal funds
5. Knowledge of procedures for processing files for students selected for verification, resolving data discrepancies, calculating and adjusting records for post-withdrawal disbursements or overpayments
6. Knowledge of college programs, services, and other resources available to assist students in counseling immigration procedures, employment, tutoring, enrollment, record keeping, and other areas
7. Knowledge of applicable computer systems and their use
8. Skill in respectful, tactful and sensitive interaction with people who are diverse in their academic, socioeconomic, ethnic, neurodivergent, and LGBTQIA+ backgrounds
9. Skill in following written instructions, formulas, and guidelines to analyze data for the purpose of drawing conclusions
10. Skill in interviewing and assessment techniques
11. Proficiency in the use of computer systems and a variety of software to set up and maintain detailed records and to compose a variety of written materials
12. Skill in oral communication, including persuasive communication skills
13. Skill in written communication, including composing technical documentation
14. Skill in working cooperatively and effectively with others as part of a team
15. Skill in working accurately with financial and statistical data
16. Skill in directing the work of others
17. Skill in the use of the Microsoft Office Suite and web-based content management systems
18. Ability to use tact and discretion in handling confidential information

The San Mateo County Community College District is an Equal Opportunity Employer that seeks to employ individuals who represent the rich diversity of cultures, language groups, and abilities of its surrounding communities.

About San Mateo County Community College District

San Mateo County Community College District is committed to achieving educational equity for all students. As outlined in the District’s Strategic Plan, “success, equity, and social justice for our students are longstanding goals.” The District’s “Students First” Strategic Plan is focused on “Student Success, Equity and Social Justice.”

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