NEOGOV · 16 hours ago
Financial Aid Program Specialist 3
Bellevue, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
$60K/yr - $80K/yr
2+ years expNEOGOV is seeking a Financial Aid Program Specialist 3 at Bellevue College, a vibrant institution dedicated to student success. The role involves managing financial aid processes, advising students on financial aid options, and ensuring compliance with regulations to promote access to education.
GovTechHuman ResourcesInformation TechnologySoftware
No H1B
Responsibilities
Manage, Direct, and Coordinate All Aspects of the processing of third-party waivers, emergency grants, veterans program waivers, and financial aid outreach
Advise and refer students on third party and veterans' waivers and awarding, placement, and fund disbursement collaborating with other departments including Veteran Services and Finance staff to ensure students are properly counseled for funds available regarding their education
Advise students, faculty, staff, and other interested parties regarding rules and regulations related to third party waivers and work independently to resolve student problems or issues
Manage all aspects of the waiver process and serve as a backup to the emergency grant process to include SEAG (Student Emergency Assistance Grant), SSEH (Supporting Students Experience Homelessness), and Safety Net
Run the third-party queries from ctcLink monthly
Run over award queries from ctcLink monthly
Coordinate agency payments with Finance; ensure funds are added appropriately and adjust student account if over awarded. Manually update student records to reflect reconciliation of waiver and grant funds offered and disbursed
Responsible for running fund roster report and helping resolve any student funding issues
Gather data and report on activities as requested
Communicate with students by drafting letters that provide information to students regarding missing, or incomplete documentation, or the need for additional documentation
Manage the third-party waivers for eligibility, which includes not limited to interpreting Federal, State, and Institutional regulations, verification of credits, grades and attendance, and communication with students and supervisors
Communicate with WSAC (Washington State Achievement Council), Finance, and Department of Education (ED) to ensure proper tracking of funds and disbursement to students as intended
Reconcile third party funds as needed or required within the systems of WSAC portal, Common Origination Disbursement (COD), ctcLink (Peoplesoft) and through communication with the Finance office
Use and analyze ctcLink Business Process Guide for reports and queries applicable to position
Coordinate and collaborate with State Board for Community and Technical Colleges to make sure software upgrades and developed processes meet state and federal requirements for third party waivers and emergency grants, this may include setting up, testing new processes, reporting issues, proposing solutions and feedback to ensure compliance with ED
Authorize program fund disbursements using the college ctcLink system
Clear less than full-time holds (FLF) from disbursements so funding can be released to students
Review and clear service indicators on student's accounts for financial aid holds
Lead financial aid outreach to include FAFSA/WASFA workshops, high school and community visits, and classroom visits
Certify and award National Guard Grant
Analyze and Evaluate Documentation to Determine Financial Aid Completion and Student Eligibility, Audit Processes, and Award Federal and State Funding
Review student files to ensure submission of required documents, accuracy of documents, and initial eligibility for financial aid funds
In accordance with federal regulations, complete V4 and V5 file reporting in ctcLink and the FAFSA Partner Portal
Apply specific policies and regulations to determine financial need, as defined by the Department of Education, and offer federal and state aid based on criteria and documents included in the student files and application data
Using data obtained from federal and state software programs and systems, analyze application and other information to determine eligibility for aid
Run queries that assist in streamlining processes for business processes
Analyze and evaluate documentation submitted by students and submit corrections to the federal processor as needed
Use Professional Judgment as defined by the Department of Education to make exceptions and change data elements included on the FAFSA and in the student's budget, based on student specific circumstances
Cross-train in other areas of Financial Aid, such as Pell, Census, R2T4, SAP, Loans, State Aid, Disbursements, Workforce, Work Study, Scholarships, and ISIRs to be a back up to specific programs
Provide Technical Assistance with Applications and Processes and Provide Consultation and Problem Resolution to Students Related to all Student Central Services
Create a welcoming environment for the diverse Bellevue College community
Assist students with questions in all areas that make up Student Central. This work includes, financial aid rules and process information, registration processes and information, residency rules, testing rules and process information, and processes related to evaluation of credit and graduation
Independently counsel, answer frequent questions, problem solve, and provide technical assistance through in-person interactions, email, phone, Zoom/Teams virtual platform, and the online ticketing system about admissions, residency, registration, financial aid, transfer of credit, testing and placement, and graduation; provide comprehensive information, guidance, recommendations and resources
Interpret and explain financial aid policies and procedures to students, faculty, staff, and community members from diverse backgrounds
Communicate and follow rules and practices governing confidentiality laws such as FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act)
Work cooperatively with departments, staff, faculty and administrators across campus, and contribute to a diverse workplace through ideas or experience
Attend weekly training and Student Central meetings and provide suggestions for continuous improvement and efficient use of resources needed to improve service to students, student success, retention, and completion efforts
Provide additional assistance to FAFSA and WASFA students to complete applications or resolve issues regarding their applications
Monitor the Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) of students and assist with quarterly SAP projects
Track, Read, and Interpret Federal, State, and Campus Regulations and Policies and Monitor Compliance
Track legislative, Department of Education, the State Board for Community and Technical Colleges (SBCTC), and Washington Student Achievement Council (WSAC) issues as appropriate, and inform higher-level staff of changes to rules and regulations specific to third party waivers, agency payments, and emergency grants
Attend training conferences, and or other related information sessions when offered to remain current in policies, procedures, and regulations related to assigned programs
Participate in developing processes, policies, and procedures needed to stay in compliance with new or changing regulations and provide training to other staff related to student records and the assigned programs
Anticipate problems or issues that may arise from changes to waivers, agency payments, and emergency grants and recommend action to avoid such problems or issues
Complete NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) and/or FSA (Federal Student Aid) Coach certifications related to verification, student eligibility and program specific related trainings
Communicate with Students through Creation of Letters and Information Documents and Based on Specific Student Needs, Develop Resolution to Eligibility Issues and other Complex Problems
Draft and send letters to notify students with issues or problems related to financial aid eligibility and missing information
Create documents that offer clear steps students need to take to resolve eligibility issues and other problems
Update and maintain system letters related to student notification about missing checklists, offers, revised offers, exit letters, and all other letters generated from ctcLink
Send letters that normally go out automatically through ctcLink and error, manually by individual email or by mail
Review website weekly for Financial Aid dashboard processing, quarterly for Financial Aid newsletter, yearly for forms, and as needed for any other Financial Aid updates
Perform others tasks as assigned by the Director or Associate Director as needed
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's Degree in a related field. Any combination of relevant education and experience may be substituted for the educational requirement on a year-for-year basis
Two (2) or more years full-time experience, or equivalent part-time experience, working in a financial aid office in a higher education setting, with a demonstrated ability to work in accordance with policies, procedures, and federal and state regulations
One (1) or more years full-time experience, or equivalent part-time experience, processing financial aid files, and offering aid to students in a higher education setting
Experience working in a collaborative team environment with diverse employees and student/customer groups
Effective verbal and written communication skills
Demonstrated ability to understand and interpret detailed information and troubleshoot and problem solve issues with attention to detail
Demonstrated ability to think critically, be proactive, meet deadlines and prioritize time-sensitive work
Proficient in MS Office
Effective customer service skills
Experience in data entry, web applications, searching the internet, troubleshooting basic computer issues, and reporting
Complete NASFAA (National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators) and/or FSA (Federal Student Aid) Coach certifications related to verification and student eligibility
Complete a review of the WCG. WBG, and CBS program handbook within three months of hire
Preferred
Experience with PeopleSoft (ctcLink) in a higher education setting
Experience in administering one or more federal or state financial aid programs
One (1) year experience working in a Washington State Community and Technical College setting in an office related to admissions, financial aid, finance, or other related field as a full-time employee, or equivalent experience as a part-time employee
Demonstrated experience with database systems and federal databases and programs such as NSLDS, COD and CPS Online
Benefits
Comprehensive compensation package with salary and benefits
Multiple medical, dental, life and disability coverage choices for employees and dependents
Choices of retirement and deferred compensation plans
Paid holidays, sick, and vacation plans
Transit program
Reduced tuition
Employee discounts and memberships
Company
NEOGOV
NEOGOV is the leading provider of workforce management software uniquely designed for the public sector, education, and public safety.
501-1000 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Late StageTotal Funding
$700MKey Investors
Warburg Pincus
2025-07-28Secondary Market· $700M
2025-07-28Acquired
2021-06-02Private Equity
Leadership Team
Shane Evangelist
CEO
Brandon McDonald
Head Of Marketing
Recent News
Canada NewsWire
2025-11-14
2025-11-14
Government Technology US
2025-10-31
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