Coordinator, Financial Aid Awards

Application Deadline:      Friday, September 17, 2021              

Salary & Benefits:              Salary is $47,498.66. Compensation package is comprised of many college paid benefits including health and life insurance, retirement, leave time, and tuition waivers for Santa Fe College and the University of Florida.

Classification:                    Full-time, Technical/Professional, Pay Grade PT5, Exempt.

Location:                             Northwest Campus, 3000 NW 83rd Street, Gainesville, FL 32606.

OVERVIEW: Santa Fe College (SF) was recently recognized as the top-rated community college in the United States.  Santa Fe College is a student-centered institution with a commitment to open access, academic excellence, and cultural and ethnic diversity.  A high quality of life, temperate climate, proximity to the University of Florida, diverse cultural events, and plentiful recreational opportunities make SF and Gainesville an ideal community to work and live.  SF enrolls over 16,000 students each semester.

Financial Aid at Santa Fe College assists students and their families by providing financial assistance to help cover educational expenses and related costs.  Financial Aid receives, processes and disburses various types of financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships based on federal, state and college policy. 

The Financial Aid office seeks a Financial Aid Awards Coordinator to help manage office compliance and training, as well as oversee office operations and processing.  It is the job of the Financial Aid Awards Coordinator to internally supervise and motivate a team while externally facilitating exemplary service to Santa Fe College student and families. The Coordinator will assist the Associate Director of Financial Aid with award determination and specialized processing of financial aid files.

Responsibilities and duties:

• Coordinate activities related to awarding, packaging and return of funds to ensure compliant processing of federal, state and agency funds for a diverse community of students.
• Supervise, monitor and/or perform specialized updates for Return of Title IV calculations, grant recalculations and ineligible disbursements that create over awards and overpayments.
• Regularly troubleshoot financial aid processes related to awarding, packaging, warranting and return of funds through the Finance Office, providing system overrides when appropriate.
• Supervise, provide guidance and training to staff involved in the awarding, packaging, warranting and return of federal, state, institutional and external funding.
• Regularly use discretion to approve the release and return of student financial aid awards in full compliance with all applicable statutes, rules and regulations.
• Create and update award procedures based on department policies translated from applicable laws and regulations.
• Provides training and guidance to staff on award, packaging and return-related office policies and procedures that translate from current federal, state and institutional rules.
• Provide up-to-date, accurate, and complete information to students and parents in person, via phone, e-mail, or chat during peak service times.
• Assist in student complaint escalations involving awarding, disbursement and return of funds.
• Track performance and statistics to prepare and compile reports, as necessary.
• Strictly honor the privacy and security of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal and college regulations, policies and procedures.
• Conduct outreach, utilizing events to promote Santa Fe College by marketing financial aid services to the community, including at some night and weekend events.
• Develop collaborative working relationships with internal and external partners.
• Serve on Division and College-Wide committees.
• Provide and promote service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible and professional engagement.
• May need to work a flexible schedule, including extended hours during peak service periods and special events.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Reports to: Associate Director, Financial Aid

QUALIFICATIONS

Required:   Bachelor’s degree with two (2) years of related experience in Financial Aid, Student Affairs, Enrollment Management, or Business/Finance related fields, with at least one (1) of the two years consisting of direct supervisory experience are required or a combination of completed education and/or experience equal to six (6) years is required, with at least one (1) of the six (6) years consisting of direct supervisory experience. 

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted.

Preferred:  A Master’s degree a relevant discipline with at least two (2) years of direct supervisory experience in a college setting is preferred.  The ideal candidate will have recent experience working in a semi-automated financial aid office. Project management experience, as well as working in a medium to large organization with extensive student/customer contact are also preferred.   

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.
• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.
• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.
• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.
• Leadership – has demonstrated success as an entrepreneurial, high energy, driven, hands-on leader. Possess expertise in selecting, training, developing, coaching, mentoring, and retaining a highly motivated workforce.
• Team Orientation & Interpersonal – highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.
• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.
• Multi-Cultural- ability to work in a multi-cultural environment.
• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, react swiftly to and able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.
• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

APPLICATION PROCESS: All applicants are required to submit a completed online SF Employment Application, letter of intent, an up-to-date resume and college transcripts to be considered for this position.  Unofficial transcripts will only be accepted for review purposes. Candidates should be aware that official transcripts will be required prior to any offer of employment being made.