Student Services Specialist Sr. (Financial Aid)

Student Services Specialist Sr. (Financial Aid)

Job ID : 321859

Location : GateWay Community College

Full / Part Time : Full Time

Regular / Temporary : Regular

Salary Range

$20.61 - $26.80 / hourly, DOE

Grade

111

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8am - 5pm; some evenings and weekends may be required

Summer Hours : Monday - Thursday, 7am-6pm

Work Calendar

12 Months

Maricopa Summary

10 Colleges. Unlimited Opportunities.

The Maricopa County Community College District is one of the largest community college systems in the nation. Home to 10 individually accredited community colleges and 31 satellite locations, we proudly serve students in every corner of the Valley. Each day, our dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators, live out our vision- creating excellence in education for a better world.

We focus on people-not profits.

With 100% acceptance, zero rejections, and affordable tuition, we provide the flexibility and support our students need to succeed in and beyond the classroom. Discover how we're changing college.

We don't just support our community-we help build it.

We are the largest provider of workforce development training in the state. The activities of our colleges and their students support one out of every 28 jobs in Maricopa County. Learn about our economic impact.

We believe our employees are our most valuable asset.

Our 10 colleges and District Office support nearly 10,000 jobs and careers throughout Greater Phoenix.

Join us in making a real difference in the lives of over 140,000 college students each year.

Campus Statement

GateWay Community College is a Hispanic Serving Institution with one of the most diverse student bodies in the Maricopa Community College district. Over 50% of our students indicate Hispanic heritage, 70% identify as Black, Indigenous People of Color (BIPOC) and better than half of the student population represents more than 40 countries. GateWay is a College of Well-Being, committed to cultivating an environment of meaningful learning, engagement and connection.

We are looking for equity-minded applicants who reflect, and demonstrate sensitivity to and understanding of, the diverse communities and populations that make Arizona a rich and vibrant place to live and work. When you join the team at GateWay, you can expect to be part of an inclusive, innovative and equity-focused community that approaches higher education as a matter of social justice built on broad collaboration among faculty, staff, students, and community partners. In deciding whether to apply for a position at GateWay, you are strongly encouraged to consider whether your values align with our Vision, Mission, Goals, and Core Values of Character, Care, Connection, Contribution and Career.

GateWay Community College is seeking to attract candidates who want to help us continue building and sustaining an inclusive and equitable working and learning environment for all students, staff, and faculty to thrive. GateWay Community College understands that diversity is integral to excellence. We honor diverse experiences and perspectives, strive to create welcoming, inclusive, respectful learning environments, and promote access, opportunity, justice and well-being for all.

Benefits

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) is committed to providing a competitive and comprehensive benefits program that supports our employees' and their families' health and well-being. Therefore, the MCCCD benefits support every stage of life and are designed to meet the diverse needs of our community. Explore the wide range of benefits and perks available to eligible employees at MCCCD :

Affordable and Comprehensive Benefits Package :

• Nationwide Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• Paid Time Off : Vacation, Sick Leave, and Personal Time
• 20 Paid Observed Holidays
• Company-paid Life Insurance, AD&D, and Short-Term Disability plans, with the option to purchase supplemental coverage
• Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) Pension, including Long Term Disability and Retiree Health Insurance with 100% employer-matching contributions
• Optional Retirement Plans : 403(b), 457(b), Roth 403(b), Roth 457(b)
• Tuition Reimbursement for employees and dependents
• Annual Professional Development Funding
• Flexible Work Schedules

Employee Health & Wellness Programs :

Job Summary

GateWay Community College is now hiring a great new role! This position provides advanced support in financial aid services, including advising, counseling, and processing. Utilizes in-depth program knowledge and technical expertise to ensure the accurate and timely delivery of aid. Coordinates daily office workflow and participates in outreach activities such as presentations and workshops. Assists students throughout the financial aid application process while ensuring compliance through the review and monitoring of student files, reports, and related documentation. Conducts system testing, identifies issues, and recommends process improvements. Collaborates effectively with administrators, faculty, staff, students, and the broader community.

Essential Functions

25%- Performs more technically complex and challenging Title IV and non-Title IV processing and researches complex financial aid problems to guide and assist staff members as needed. Researches, analyzes, and interprets federal and state regulations to ensure organizational compliance and to respond to inquiries.

25%- Provides oversight to all financial aid processes, including Student Information System (SIS) reports, verification issues, determination of need, awarding, and award adjustments, and assists with maintaining, updating, and troubleshooting SIS.

15%- Provides specific program administration and oversight (i.e., Pell, Direct Loan, Federal Work Study, Scholarships, etc.) to include, but is not limited to, reconciliation.

15%-Prepare and conduct staff training, provide work direction, provide information, and make recommendations regarding financial aid program guidelines and business processes. Coordinate workflow and the implementation of policies and procedures and perform other duties as assigned.

10%- Respond to more complex escalated student / parent inquiries in person and via telephone.

10%- Prepares, designs, and maintains correspondence, reports, presentations, program materials, and documentation and other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

Associate's Degree from a regionally accredited institution and two (2) years of student services or college teaching experience or experience assisting with educational program development and coordination, student advisement, financial aid, or related student development programs.

OR

An equivalent combination of the conferred degree and directly related full-time work experience as described above sufficient to successfully perform the essential duties of the job such as those listed above, unless otherwise subject to any other requirements set forth in law or regulation, may be considered.

Desired Qualifications

A. Bachelor's degree in a related field, such as education, business, or accounting

B. Experience performing complex functions in a financial aid office, such as professional judgment reviews and packaging federal and institutional aid packages

C. Experience maintaining, applying, and communicating financial aid regulations and guidelines.

D. Experience with system setup and troubleshooting issues in an automated financial aid system (such as PeopleSoft or another student information system).

E. Experience in procedure development, staff training, and business process documentation

Special Working Conditions

How to Apply

Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit a cover letter that details how the applicant meets the minimum and desired qualifications. A cover letter may further highlight an applicant's knowledge, skill and abilities. All minimum requirements must be met at the time of the application.

Additional materials will not be accepted after the job posting has closed.

Missing materials or incomplete employment history will not be considered.

Please ensure your materials clearly provide the following information.

Posting Close Date

Open until filled

First Review October 2, 2025

Applications received after the review date may not be screened

EEO, Title IX, & Clery Act

Maricopa County Community College District (MCCCD) will not discriminate, nor tolerate discrimination in employment or education, against any applicant, employee, or student because of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, citizenship status (including document abuse), age, disability, veteran status or genetic information.

Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, states : "No person in the United States shall, on the basis of sex, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any education program or activity receiving Federal financial assistance."

The policy of the MCCCD is to provide an educational, employment, and business environment free of gender discrimination. Incidents of misconduct should be reported to the college Title IX Coordinator, as outlined in policy, contact information is available at this link Title IX Coordinators.

The Clery Act is a Federal law requiring United States Colleges and Universities to disclose information about crime on and around their campuses. Crime reporting data for each of the Maricopa Community Colleges, as required under the Clery Act, is available at this link Clery Act.

To apply, visit https : / / jobs.maricopa.edu / psp / MCPAHPRD / EMPLOYEE / HRMS / c / HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_JBPST_FL&Action=U&FOCUS=Applicant&SiteId=1000&JobOpeningId=321859&PostingSeq=1

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