Senior Student Finance Specialist

SUMMARY Find your forever home with Gateway Technical College! Start with an organization that understands that work culture and work/life balance are so important to the happiness of our employees! Come join the Gateway family where a generous vacation and benefits package is the norm.
Sick and Vacation time (prorated) available on Day 1, as well as Medical, Dental, and Vision benefits should you elect to enroll.
Under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid, the Senior Student Finance Specialist is primarily responsible for providing holistic support to the student finance specialist team and provides student finance specialist services to current and prospective students in the areas of student accounts, financial aid, veteran benefits, scholarships and other finance related matters.
This position oversees staff training and implementation of processes and initiatives as they relate to the student finance specialists role.
It is essential that the Senior Student Finance Specialist uphold institutional, state and federal compliance policies and guidelines as established by the Department of Education, the college, accreditors and other pertinent agencies.
*1st consideration will be given to all applications received on or before 01/02/2024 at 11:59pm.
See for yourself how our employees are the foundation of our students' continued success! Apply today to join the Gateway Family! RESPONSIBILITIES Operations Management: Provide guidance and coordination of day-to-day operations for the student finance specialist team; collaborating to ensure adequate and optimal availability of services.
Ensure effective utilization of a variety of systems to enhance student success including college retention CRM.
Collaborate with student finance specialists and departments to ensure optimal configuration.
Responsible for the interviewing, hiring and training of casual and student employees.
Develop and support initiatives for the effective delivery of the college’s financial aid programs, financial literacy, default aversion, FAFSA completion and other services that align with the college's strategic direction.
Collaborate with staff and other departments to identify, investigate, analyze, and resolve escalated student and parent questions and concerns.
Student Finance Specialist: Determines the customer's individual need; provides information to parents and prospective students, and refers students to other specialists or appropriate departments.
Interact and cultivate relationships daily with prospective students, applicants, and enrolled students through effective communication, both verbally and in writing.
Summarizes conversations to student files for future references.
Provide students, parents and staff with information regarding the availability of federal student aid and the eligibility requirements Point of contact for Service members seeking information on the TA program, Title IV funding, VA benefits, and familiar with institutional services to service members who are seeking information about academic counseling, financial aid counseling, financial literacy, job search support, or other student support services at Gateway.
Educate student borrowers about their financial obligations, setting financial goals and financial management.
Maintain accurate and efficient student records, financial aid reports and verification documents in accordance with college, state and federal policies, procedures and compliance standards.
Promote teamwork related to student finance to ensure consistency and continuity.
Work collaboratively on projects to continuously improve the educational funding experience for prospective and enrolled students.
Maintain current knowledge of all federal and state regulations and institutional policies, as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs, as related to federal and state financial aid and veterans' education.
Liaison for the refund processing system with the Student Accounts Department and other related processes.
Participate in the coordination of college-wide efforts to ensure smooth transitions, efficient processes, and effective customer service.
Perform other duties as assigned Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.
Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.
WHAT YOU NEED TO SUCCEED IN THE POSITION MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS: Associate degree PLUS at least 4 years of Federal Financial Aid experience in an educational setting OR Bachelor's degree PLUS at least 2 years of Federal Financial Aid experience in an educational setting OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS, KNOWLEDGE AND ABILITIES: Strong verbal and written communication skills to effectively communicate with prospective students and families diverse in ability, background, age, and academic interest in small and large group settings.
Ability to be proactive, resourceful, self-motivated with leadership skills.
Exemplary skills in independent decision-making and critical thinking.
Demonstrated skills in customer service, collaboration, planning, prioritizing, and organization.
Must be a team player with creativity, patience and perseverance.
Must possess strong diplomacy skills and the ability to make sound judgments.
Ability to work positively in a demanding, high volume, fast-paced, team-oriented student service environment both independently, as well as collaboratively.
Thorough knowledge of or willingness to learn the college ERP system and CRM systems, Microsoft Office suite and other software Basic understanding of and knowledge of college resources for students.
Ability to respond quickly to changing ideas, responsibilities, expectations, trends, strategies and other processes.
Respects and protects confidential student information in accordance with FERPA requirements.
Evidence of excellent planning and organization skills, including responsiveness and commitment to follow through Demonstrate leadership and ability to assess and implement improvement to services Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to listen and learn from others Effective public speaking skills Ability to manage projects setting out objectives, monitor their progress and completion, and ensure that they meet the overall business goals and objectives.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION DIVISION/LOCATION: Student Services/Kenosha COMP GRADE: 28 FLSA DESIGNATION: Exempt START DATE: ASAP CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT: Candidates must be legally authorized to work in the United States on a permanent basis.
Verification of employment eligibility will be required at the time of hire.
Visa sponsorship is not available.
Employment is contingent upon an acceptable background Flexibility is needed to accommodate day, evening and weekend student & business needs Guide Not Applicable Activity is not applicable to this occupation Occasionally Occupation required this activity up to 33% of the time (0 - 2.
5+ hrs/day) Frequently Occupation required this activity from 33% - 66%% of the time (2.
5 - 5.
5+ hrs/day) Continuously Occupation required this activity more than 66% of the time (5.
5+ hrs/day) Physical Demands Physical Demands Frequency Lift/Carry Frequency Sitting Continuously 0 - 10 lbs Occasionally Standing Occasionally 11 - 20 lbs Not Applicable Walking Frequently 21 - 50 lbs Not Applicable Reaching Overhead Not Applicable 51 - 100 lbs Not Applicable Reaching at or Below Shoulder Level Not Applicable Over 100 lbs Not Applicable Keyboarding Continuously Stooping Not Applicable Push / Pull Yes / No Crouching Not Applicable 12 lbs or less Occasionally Kneeling Not Applicable 13 - 25 lbs Not Applicable Crawling Not Applicable 26 - 40 lbs Not Applicable Climbing Ramps or Stairs Occasionally 41 - 100 lbs Not Applicable Climbing Ladders, Ropes or Scaffolding Not Applicable Over 100 lbs Not Applicable Driving Occasionally Traveling - overnight stay(s) Occasionally Hearing Requirement Yes / No Communicating Verbally Continuously One-on-one (in person) Yes Far Visual Acuity: clarity to see 20' or more Occasionally Group or conference (in person) Yes Near Visual Acuity: clarity to see 20' or less Continuously Telephone Yes Other Sounds No Environmental Conditions Working Conditions Frequency Noise Intensity Level Frequency Humidity: non-weather related Not Applicable Quiet Continuously Extreme Cold: non-weather related Not Applicable Moderate Occasionally Extreme Hot: non-weather related Not Applicable Loud Not Applicable Working Outdoors Not Applicable Very Loud Not Applicable Wetness: contact with water or other liquids Not Applicable Working Conditions Working Conditions Frequency Working Conditions Frequency Working in Close Proximity to Others Frequently Working interruptions Frequently Open Work Space Occasionally Stressful situations Frequently Working in a confined space Continuously Exposure to offensive odors Not Applicable Exposure to a computer screen Continuously Required uniform supplied by department Not Applicable Gateway will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law.
Gateway Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer operating under an Affirmative Action Plan.
Women and minorities are encouraged to apply.
Reasonable accommodations and auxiliary aids will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.
If you have a disability and an accommodation for the application process, please contact the Office for Equal Opportunity and Civil Rights at compliance@gtc.
edu or 262-564-3062.
Your safety while employed at Gateway Technical College is one of our top priorities, so we encourage you to read our Annual Security Report (click the link for the full report) prior to beginning classes.
This report is published in compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act) and the Violence Against Women Act.
This report includes crime statistics, institutional policies on campus security and safety, alcohol and drug use, crime prevention, the reporting of crimes or incidents, sexual misconduct, and other important matters.
Please feel free to email clery@gtc.
edu or call 262-564-3062 to request a hard copy of the report.