Program Specialist 3 - Specific Programs

Financial Aid Program Specialist

Located in the scenic Puget Sound area with nearby mountain ranges and Mount Rainier in the distance, Tacoma is surrounded by outdoor recreational opportunities such as hiking, boating and camping. Tacoma, Washington has been ranked as one of the most livable cities in the country, due to the increasing career opportunities, cultural diversity and community engagement, just to name a few.

Tacoma Community College (TCC) was built on the ancestral territory of Coast Salish peoples, specifically the Puyallup and Squaxin Island Tribes. The 1854 Medicine Creek Treaty forcibly removed them to Reservations to make way for colonizers; we recognize the privilege of utilizing this land has come at a great cost. We honor the resilience of the Puyallup and Squaxin Island people, who still live here, defend their rights, and contribute greatly to the well-being of our community. Our institution aims to increase partnerships and community ties with the local indigenous populations. Moreover, TCC stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and the Black community by further strengthening collaboration with the Black Student Union as well as community entities such as the Tacoma-Pierce County Black Collective, the Tacoma Urban League, and local black-owned businesses. In addition, we strongly support the Stop Asian Hate movement and have an active Asian Pacific Islander Student Club as well as an Asian and Pacific Islander Faculty and Staff Coalition. TCC is committed to developing more culturally responsive curricula by infusing and incorporating more educational content focused on the lives, experiences, and contributions of Native, Black, Asian, and other marginalized communities. We continually strive to become an anti-racist institution.

We are specifically focusing on improved support for traditionally marginalized populations, including Black / African- American, Indigenous, People of Color, Dreamers, justice-involved, immigrants and refugees, Veterans, people with disabilities, and the LGBTQ+ community. To this end, TCC seeks applicants who :

• Value intellectual curiosity and innovative teaching
• Welcome difference and model respectful interaction with others
• Recognize and honor the important role that diversity brings to an educational community
• Are committed to educating a racially and socioeconomically diverse student population
• Are committed to teaching in a community college setting
• Care deeply about student success
• Intentionally support and promote efforts related to equity, diversity, and inclusion
• Honor TCC's mission promoting equitable access to educational opportunities
• Reflect the diversity of our community

Position Summary : Implements and leads specific program responsibilities that support the Financial Aid and Veteran Services Office. The position manages, directs and coordinates all aspects of determining financial aid offers to students enrolled in Bachelor of Applied Science degree programs. In addition, the program specialist reviews the incoming electronic documents for completeness before uploading them into the OnBase portal for file review; assist students with correcting their financial aid applications through the federal FSA Portal website; and works to resolve discrepancies with student refunds through the Bank Mobile platform. The program specialist also assesses student needs and provides recommendations and solutions that provide a way for students to regain financial aid eligibility, or to overcome obstacles related to application requirements. The use of professional judgement based on the assessment of student need and individual circumstances, and as defined and allowed under federal and state guidelines, is required for this position. Provide consultation and direct customer service to students, staff, and faculty. Communicate detailed financial aid and program information to internal and external customers. This position reports to the Manager of Compliance / Training Financial Aid Services.

Essential Functions

Analyze, understand and independently articulate general program eligibility requirements (Interpret and determine need requirements, various grant criteria, federal direct loans, work-study and satisfactory academic progress), the application process, status and timelines.

Using professional judgment, analyze, review and evaluate financial aid applications.

Determine eligibility for federal and state funding. Analyze and evaluate files by applying extensive knowledge of regulations for determining eligibility and need based on application data, federal database matches and academic progress requirements.

Process financial aid files and make offers to students for federal and state financial aid, including federal Pell grant, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant, federal Direct Loans, Washington College Grant, Washington College Bound Scholarship, Scholarships and other need and non-need-based aid.

Prevent over-awards of financial aid by ensuring timely and accurate review of all aid types prior to awarding need-based or other financial resources.

Counsel students by providing excellent customer service, demonstrating empathy, listening attentively to questions and concerns, responding professionally to hostility, communicating clearly with native and non-native English speakers, and exercising professionalism and discretion in all communications and actions.

May assist with and / or manage loan processing, Pell / COD processing, office budget, satisfactory academic progress (SAP) processing, Work Study programs, Return of Title IV funds (R2T4), disbursements, specialized financial aid processing (Bachelor's, consortiums), Scholarships (Foundation, State and external), Work Force awards, Veterans office.

Provide consultation and directly assist students in resolving eligibility issues and application difficulties in all financial aid programs.

Maintain the confidentiality of student files and records per FERPA guidelines.

Support various office functions by providing direct assistance including answering phones, emails, and questions from walk-in students and the general public in an accurate and timely manner. Provide clear explanations of complex and technical information.

May review various types of appeals submitted by students, such as SAP (suspension / reinstatement), Maximum Time Frame, Income Revisions, and make necessary professional judgment decisions.

May conduct classroom visits and outreach events to educate students and the about financial aid and scholarship programs.

Perform other duties as assigned to support the team in achieving its service objectives.

Qualifications

Education to Experience Equivalences : Associate's Degree = 2 years | Bachelor's Degree = 4 years | Master's Degree = 6 years

Duties of the position require knowledge, skills and abilities :

Duties of the position required experience :

Required conditions of employment :

Application Process

Application Materials & Procedure : Complete application packages must include the following :

Terms of Employment : This is a full-time classified position scheduled to work Monday through Friday, 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m. Must be available occasional evenings, nights, and weekends as needed. Summer schedule may vary to four 10-hour days. Flexibility in scheduling is required to meet the department's needs. The salary range is $4,882 $6,576.

Tacoma Community College offers a comprehensive health care benefits package for you and your dependents includes medical, dental and vision insurance. Life and long-term disability insurance plans; vacation, sick and personal leave; reduced tuition for the employee; and retirement benefits are also provided. For more information, please visit our employment page / employment benefits.