Financial Aid Specialist

General Summary

Join Us at Lake-Sumter State College
Located in the heart of Florida, Lake-Sumter State College provides students with the opportunity to pursue their goals and join Florida’s dynamic workforce. We embrace our mission as a community college to increase access and opportunity for all learners in the communities we serve.

Under the leadership of President Heather Bigard, we are embarking on a bold journey to transform the ways in which we connect and educate our students while embracing our rich history of high-quality education and personalized student support services. We currently serve over 6,500 students each year and plan to grow to over 10,000 in the next several years.

The rapid growth in the Orlando metropolitan area, and particularly in our service area of Lake and Sumter Counties, is driving growth, innovation, and workforce demand in an array of industries offering high-skill, high-wage positions. By rapidly adapting and responding to this demand, Lake-Sumter State College will continue to be the premier workforce engine driving training and education opportunities in these counties.

Lake-Sumter State College delivers student success through personal attention and flexible pathways leading to rewarding careers and higher wages. We are committed to:

• Caring about each individual student, our peers, and our community;
• Communicating to ensure clarity and transparency, and
• Collaboration , knowing that the best possible outcomes are ensured when there is a sharing of ideas.

This is an exciting time at Lake-Sumter State College! When you join our team, you’ll have the opportunity to connect and collaborate with incredible faculty and staff who are focused on making a real difference in the lives of students in our community. Together, we will create a significant impact to meet the needs of today’s students and prepare for future generations.

We invite you to join us in our commitment to student success!

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

1. Provide exceptional customer service to a diverse community of students.

2. Maintains office coverage for phones, email, chat and walk-in students.

3. Hire, train, and supervise Financial Aid student workers.

4. Maintain student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations.

5. Determine eligibility and assist the financial aid counselors in maintaining the Bright Futures program and other state program recipients.

6. Review and process Consortium agreements between other institutions.

7. Assist financial aid staff with verification and awarding of financial aid files.

8. Collecting and reviewing documentation for C Flags.

9. Maintain financial aid files and electronic records.

10. Review and Recommend updates to the LSSC financial aid website.

11. Responsible for reviewing and collecting all necessary documentation for all Unusual Enrollment History students.

12. Update job procedures in the Department’s Training Manual.

13. Assist in facilitating on and off-campus workshops.

Qualifications

EDUCATION : Required : Minimum Bachelor Degree from an accredited institution.

EXPERIENCE : Required : Minimum of two (2) years of progressively responsible financial aid experience required or (5) years of other relevant financial experience.



Knowledge, Skills & Abilities Required

Excellent process-improvement and documentation skills, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team to meet the needs of a diverse student population.

Demonstrated proficiency with technology, organized, and able to perform under pressure in a fast-paced, high-performance environment.

The ability tor represent the Financial Aid Office and the College with professionalism and deliver information in a positive manner while facilitating exemplary service to students.

Strong written and verbal communication skills as well as outstanding customer service skills.

Must be able to work a flexible schedule during peak times to support service to students.

Ability to exercise important human relations skills in establishing and maintaining effective working relations.

Ability to exercise discretion in decision making.

Ability to read and interpret federal and state rules and regulations.

Promote a common purpose consistent with stated College goals and demonstrate a commitment to students and the learning environment.

Possess the knowledge of general written standards and procedures utilized, and have the ability to read, interpret, and follow procedural and policy manual related to the job tasks.

Proficiency in computer applications, including Microsoft Outlook and MS Office products (Word, PowerPoint, Excel).

Demonstrate the ability to respond to supervision, guidance and direction in a positive, receptive manner and in accordance with stated policies.

Provide quality customer service by creating a welcoming and supportive environment.

Present a professional image in word, action and attire.

Demonstrate professionalism in effectively communicating and collaborating with a diverse population while understanding and respecting each other’s view of the world, personalities and working styles.

Conduct oneself in a manner consistent with the College’s standards of ethical conduct.

Apply effective techniques to work both independently and to create working relationships with others to achieve common goals; successfully communicates and collaborates with others to achieve goals.

Demonstrate skills necessary to look at situations and processes critically to make recommendations for improvement.