Financial Aid Analyst

General Purpose Under general supervision, assists with planning, coordination, implementation and delivery of financial aid services and programs; leads and performs specialized technical duties related to the distribution of financial aid awards; leads, monitors and performs the most complex follow up and verification duties; monitors and audits student records to ensure awards meet appropriate regulations and guidelines; packages awards and oversees disbursement of funds in accordance with District policies and federal, state and local requirements; and performs related duties as assigned. ## Essential Duties and Responsibilities The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to this class. 1. Provides input in selecting, training and providing day-to-day lead work guidance and direction to other staff and student aides; assigns, schedules and monitors work for completeness, accuracy and conformance with District, department and legal/regulatory requirements and standards; monitors workflow to ensure that mandated deadlines are being met in an optimal manner; provides information, instruction and training on work procedures and technical, legal and regulatory requirements. 2. Provides input to the manager and director on employee work performance and behaviors; assists in ensuring a fair, open and inclusive work environment in accordance with the Districts mission, goals and values. 3. Oversees and participates in the day-to-day operation and service delivery of the Financial Aid department; schedules and coordinates front counter operations; ensures students, parents and the public understand and complete financial aid applications and forms; interviews and assists students as needed and personally manages the more complex eligibility, dependency and appeal cases; investigates and resolves complex technical issues encountered by lower level staff; responds to complex inquiries from staff, counselors and faculty regarding financial aid policies and procedures. 4. Audits and participates in eligibility analysis and needs analysis processes used to determine Expected Family Contribution (EFC) in each case; determines initial and ongoing eligibility for financial aid programs; packages financial aid and scholarships, including state aid programs, Pell Grants, direct student loans, work study and supplemental educational opportunity grants and other awards; develops and maintains appropriate documentation for training and audit purposes utilizes third-party portals and databases to research and track student information. . 5. Monitors Federal Work Study, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant and other allocations to ensure accuracy of student work hours, payments, reimbursements and all available funds are distributed; notifies the college business office to initiate the drawdown of financial aid funds; submits disbursement records to Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) and coordinates rejections with originating staff member; runs reconciliation reports and works with the Business Office to reconcile funds, awards and payments. 6. Notifies students of continued eligibility or disqualification for financial aid awards; advises students of appeal processes. 7. Coordinates and serves on committees to evaluate student financial aid appeals on a case-by-case basis; interviews students, reviews, evaluates and approves or denies eligibility in event of special conditions, dependency overrides and student appeals; processes verification documentation and confirms timely and accurate delivery of funds to students. 8. Coordinates scholarships and major financial aid programs, including Dream Act, Federal Work Study, CalWORKs Work Study, Direct Student Loans, Cal Grants, Chafee grants and other grant programs; stays abreast of changes in financial aid regulations to ensure compliance; disseminates changes to procedural requirements; determines eligibility and award amounts; resolves issues related to awards and funding. 9. Writes, modifies, evaluates and runs SQL queries and reports, audits files and performs quality assurance of data and program operations; identifies and assists in resolving academic progress issues that may affect aid; places administrative holds due to failure to meet academic requirements for financial aid; determines and processes financial aid overpayments, Return to Title IV funds (R2T4), post-withdrawal disbursements and adjustments to payments. 10. Demonstrates sensitivity to and understanding of historically minoritized groups and participates in professional development activities to increase cultural competency to enhance equity-minded practices within the District. OTHER DUTIES 1. Assists in establishing financial aid parameters for the records management system; participates in testing and implementing system changes; assists in investigating and developing resolutions for system failures. 2. Interacts with other departments and with state and federal programs on behalf of a student. 3. Creates, schedules and presents financial aid educational and outreach workshops at local high schools, adult education programs and community groups. 4. Assists with veterans benefits administration. 5. Arranges the logistics for Scholarship Award Ceremonies and other major events; develops and maintains attendee lists and seating arrangements; prepares presentations; develops and produces invitations, programs and publications; contacts vendors for facilities and food orders, supplies and audio-visual equipment; handles other event logistics. 6. As assigned, updates and tests formulas, rules, communications and online forms in financial aid software; works with third party vendors and Information Technology to implement new software and develop reporting. 7. Performs related duties as assigned. ## Employment Standards / Minimum Qualifications Knowledge of: Financial aid department services, goals, objectives, policies, procedures and practices and associated needs analysis and award packaging processes and procedures. Advanced knowledge of federal, state and local financial aid programs and regulations. Interviewing and consulting techniques. Policies, objectives and technical aspects of financial aid programs and activities. Research and analysis techniques. Basic fund accounting and financial and statistical recordkeeping techniques. Basic grants administration, methods and practices. Personal and financial issues/special circumstances of disadvantaged students. District student recordkeeping practices and procedures for processing student information and interpreting input and output data. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Title IV and other state and federal laws and regulations and District rules, policies and procedures governing financial aid and applic