Job Description

Compensation

$39,686.00 Annual

Job Description Summary

The application deadline for this position is 11:59pm EST on September 25, 2025.

The Financial Aid Office at Santa Fe College assists students and their families by providing financial assistance to help cover educational expenses and related costs. Financial Aid receives, processes, and disburses various types of financial aid, including grants, loans and scholarships based on federal, state and college policy.

The Financial Aid Specialist is responsible for processing student files and is subject to internal and external audit scrutiny. This position specializes in either the verification or packaging of student files by reconciling discrepancies, verifying eligibility for awards, sending notices to students, and updating related awards. The Financial Aid Specialist possesses knowledge of college programs and resources and has a thorough understanding of applicable Financial Aid institutional, state, and federal guidelines and regulations. Additionally, this position will serve as a primary point of contact for faculty, staff, and students on financial aid related matters.

*The primary location for this role is at the Charles L. Blount Center, but occasional travel to other SF Centers and the NW campus is required.

Job Description

Responsibilities and Duties Include:

• Advises, counsels, and informs students, parents, and staff about available financial aid opportunities, eligibility requirements, application processes, financial literacy, and College resources in person, over the telephone, and through email.

• Carefully adheres to all department policies and procedures as translated from institutional, state, and federal guidelines and regulations, including FERPA, and participates in professional development on a continual basis to stay compliant.

• Assists students with the accurate completion of financial aid application documents and evaluates applicable supporting documentation.

• Researches and resolves problems related to discrepancies in application documents.

• Verifies files for high school and college transcripts.

• Reviews student files and transcripts ensuring accuracy and eligibility standards are upheld.

• Sends verification requests to US Citizenship and Immigration Services to determine citizenship status.

• Uses discretion, based on established federal guidelines regarding eligibility, to reconcile, complete, and award student files.

• Prepares awards for disbursement by the Office for Finance.

• Reviews and resolves errors in the disbursement process.

• Utilizes complex computer programs, both internal and external, for reporting, tracking, and monitoring and to process, record, retrieve, and verify statistical data.

• Communicates tactfully while exercising extreme diplomacy, empathy, and compassion when dealing with sensitive information, challenging situations, difficult, and sometimes disgruntled individuals.

• Uses appropriate strategies to diffuse tense situations and recognize when to make referrals to avoid escalation.

• Conducts outreach events that promote Santa Fe College and general access to education by publicizing financial aid and financial literacy services to the community.

• Complies with all published College Rules, procedures, guidelines, and laws/regulations governing public employees, including but not limited to those related to document retention and destruction, FERPA, and confidentiality.

• Strictly honors the privacy, security, and confidentiality of student records and other sensitive information according to appropriate state, federal, and college regulations, policies, and procedures.

• Provides service excellence through courteous, informed, accessible, and professional engagement.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required: A high school diploma or equivalent with four (4) years of related work experience or a combination of completed education and/or related work experience equal to four (4) years.

Additional Requirements: A criminal background check will be conducted. Must have a valid Florida driver license and be authorized to drive for the College.
Preferred: An associate degree with prior experience/understanding of areas in financial aid, accounting, higher education, or IRS tax rules. Prior experience in Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP). Database management skills.

General Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to work successfully in a multi-cultural environment.

• Adaptability to Change – able to be flexible and supportive, able to positively and proactively assimilate change in rapid growth environment.

• Communication – able to effectively communicate in a professional, diplomatic, empathetic, and tactful manner using preferred method and level as applicable to the job.

• Critical Thinking & Judgement - able to make well-reasoned, sensible, and timely decisions based on careful, objective review and informed analysis of available information, considerations, and other factors.

• Customer Service – ability to respond promptly and courteously to all questions from students and faculty, demonstrating patience and persistence when helping students with little or no computer skills.

• Ethics – able to demonstrate integrity, professionalism, civility, and a high degree of ethics in all job-related actions.

• Organization & Time Management – able to plan, schedule, and organize tasks related to the job to achieve goals within or ahead of established time frames.

• Problem Solving – proven skills in identifying issues, determining their cause, developing creative solutions, and following through with implementing resolutions.

• Team Orientation & Interpersonal — highly motivated team-player with ability to develop and maintain collaborative relationships with all levels within and external to the organization.

• Relationship Management – able to personally provide high level of interactive service to others, building relationships and addressing identified needs.

• Results Orientation – proven ability to set and exceed established targets.

• Systems & Software - proficient level of knowledge of Microsoft Office and/or relevant position software programs.

• Detail Oriented - Proven accuracy and attention to detail.

• Multi-task - Ability to expeditiously organize, coordinate, manage, prioritize, and perform multiple tasks simultaneously to swiftly assess a situation, determine a logical course of action, and apply the appropriate response.

If you are a retiree of the Florida Retirement System (FRS), please check with the FRS on how your current benefits will be affected if you are re-employed with the State of Florida. Your current retirement benefits may be canceled, suspended or deemed ineligible depending upon the date of your retirement.

Santa Fe College (SF) is committed to maintaining a work and educational environment that embraces diversity and where no member of the college community is excluded from participation in, denied the benefits of, or subject to discrimination in any college program or activity based on: their race, ethnicity, national origin, color, religion, age, disability, sex, pregnancy status, gender identity, sexual orientation, marital status, genetic information, political opinions or affiliations, or veteran status. This commitment applies to employees, volunteers, students, and, to the extent possible, to third parties, applicants for admission, applicants for employment, and the general public. sfcollege.edu/eaeo
 
Inquiries regarding non-discrimination policies or concerns about discrimination or harassment, including concerns about sexual harassment or sexual violence under Title IX, should be directed to: equity.officer@sfcollege.edu

Santa Fe College reserves the right to extend deadlines and/or not to offer advertised positions. Preference will be given to eligible veterans and spouses of veterans.

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