Student Financial Services Specialist

Position Summary The Student Financial Services Specialist is responsible for providing financial aid services and assisting students in securing resources for educational expenses. Salary Schedule: Appropriate placement on Salary Schedule E3 04 ($41,349-$59,401) based on experience. Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Utilize Banner/Ellucian modules to collect, review and evaluate financial aid applications for eligibility determination in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations.
• Assist the Director of Student Financial Services in reconciling federal, state and institutional financial aid programs through Banner reporting tools and system audits.
• Provide financial aid counseling to students and families regarding application processes, eligibility criteria, and award management using student records in Banner.
• Provide optimal customer service through courteous, responsive and professional written and verbal communication, including documentation in the Banner communication management.
• Assist in maintaining accurate and timely reporting to federal and state agencies for Title IV Programs (Pell Grant, FSEOG, FWS), Veterans Benefits, State Grant and ANGEAP and scholarships using Banner system reports.
• Assist in the oversight of the FWS student employment program.
• Verify student data accuracy by reviewing ISIR data, federal tax transcripts, and verification documents entered or scanned into Banner. Ensure resolution of conflicting information.
• Conduct proactive follow-up with students through Banner communication tracking and task lists for incomplete financial aid files, requesting missing documentation as required.
• Process and package student financial aid award using Banner, applying federal regulations for eligibility and award notifications through Banner self-service or communication modules.
• Respond accurately and professionally to questions and requests from students, parents, and staff utilizing Banner student records and reports for case resolution.
• Scan and index all financial aid documents in the document imaging system (BDMS/Content), ensuring proper attachment to the students official Banner Record.
• Participate in annual internal reviews and audits of student financial aid files and Banner system data to ensure compliance and accuracy.
• Participate in the planning and organization of the awarding process to ensure compliance, maintain control of manual and automated information for accurate and timely processing of applications.
• Assist in development and implementation of office procedures, including those related to Banner operations, data integrity, and system security.
• Generate and transmit regulatory reports for specialized financial aid programs using Banner reporting tools (Argos, SQL Queries).
• Prepare award notifications for students eligible for Title IV Aid and institutional aid programs using automated processes within Banner.
• Participate on college committees as assigned.
• Participate in professional development activities and utilizes information to enhance performance of job duties.
• Perform all other job-related duties as requested and may be designated to lead or support specific operational functions, as designated by the Director or Assistant Director of Student Financial Services or appropriate administrator.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Sociology, Psychology, Management, Accounting or a related area from a regionally accredited university.
• Three (3) years of experience in a customer service-related field.
• Experience in higher education, financial aid administration, or student services.

REQUIRED LICENSE, CERTIFICATION, OR SPECIAL CREDENTIALS: None

OTHER QUALIFICATIONS AND JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Proficiency in using Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to effectively respond to questions from supervisors, faculty, staff, students, and the general public.

Application Procedures/Additional Information Applicants may apply at www.lawsonstate.edu. For questions please contact the Office of Human Resources at 205-929-3408 or at humanresources@lawsonstate.edu. All application materials will become the property of the college. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to ensure his or her application packet is completed. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. No previous application files will be transferred for consideration for this position.

A complete application packet consists of:

• A cover letter
• An Online application
• A current resume
• A copy of relevant post-secondary transcripts identifying the applicant, institution, and date of degree conferred.

If employed, all official transcripts must be received in the Office of Human Resources prior to the employment start date. Applicants who fail to submit a complete application packet will not be considered. Before an offer is made, the top applicants must provide the following: Employment verification letter(s) from a current or previous employer detailing all relevant experience. Employment verification letters must include employment dates and job title and be on official letterhead with an authorized personnel signature. Work experience verification from a current employer may be delayed until an official offer of employment has been made. Applicants must submit a written request to delay submission or work experience verification from a current employer. More than one position in the same job classification may be filled from the applicants for this position should another vacancy occur during the search process.

EEOC, E-VERIFY, AND BACKGROUND CHECK STATEMENTS:

Lawson State Community College is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is the policy of the Alabama Community College System, including all postsecondary community and technical colleges under the control of the Alabama Community College System Board of Trustees, that no employee or applicant for employment or promotion, on the basis of any impermissible criterion or characteristic including, without limitation, race, color, national origin, religion, marital status, disability, sex, age, or any other protected class as defined by federal and state law, shall be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program, activity, or employment. Lawson State Community College will make reasonable accommodations for qualified disabled applicants upon request. In accordance with Alabama Community College System Policy and Guidelines, the applicant chosen for employment will be required to sign a consent form for a criminal background check. Employment will be contingent upon the receipt of a clearance notification from the criminal background check. Lawson State Community College is an active participant in the Employment Eligibility Verification Program (E-verify). E-verify electronically confirms an employee's eligibility to work in the United States as required by the Department of Homeland Security.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Applicants must meet the minimum qualifications as indicated on this vacancy notice and must submit a completed application packet in order to be considered for this position. Complete application files must be received no later than the application deadline. Applicants who fail to submit all required information will be disqualified. Only applications received during the period of this announcement will be considered. Applicants must adhere to the College's prescribed interview schedule and must travel at their own expense. The College reserves the right to withdraw this job announcement at any time prior to awarding.

Benefits

Sick Leave All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns one day of sick leave which is the equivalent of 8 hours of sick leave per month. Unused sick leave is rolled over to the following year. Upon retirement, employees are allowed to convert unused sick time into service time for the purpose of retirement. Further retirement benefits may be found on this page under Alabama Teacher's Retirement.8 hours per month (may accumulate an unlimited number)

Annual Leave All regular full-time non-instructional staff earn annual leave per month. A complete description of leave benefits can be found with the Human Resources office. 0-4 years 8 hours per month 5-9 years 10 hours per month 10-14 years 12 hours per month 15-19 years 14 hours per month 20+ 16 hours per month (may accumulate up to 480 hours)

Personal Leave All regular full-time non-instructional staff earns up to two (2) regularly scheduled workdays of personal leave per leave year. Unused Personal Leave converts to sick leave if not used.(converts to sick leave at the end of August each year if not used)

Professional Leave Up to 10 days a year of professional development leave with pay may be granted by the President.

Holidays New Year's Day Martin Luther King/Robert E. Lee Birthday National Memorial Day Juneteenth Independence Day Labor Day Veterans Day Thanksgiving Day Day after Thanksgiving Day Christmas Eve Christmas Day16 (5 locally assigned)

Contracted Work Days 260

Retirement The TRS was established in 1939 to provide benefits to qualified persons employed by state-supported educational institutions. Responsibility for the management and administration of the TRS is vested in its Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. The TRS is a defined benefit plan qualified under Section 401(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. For more information visit The Retirement Systems of Alabama. All regular full-time and part-time employees (non-temporary and non- student) who work at least 20 hours per week are required to participate in The Teachers' Retirement System of Alabama. Tier I - Pays 7.50% monthly. State matches 14.66% (effective 10/01/26) Tier II – Pays 6.20% monthly. State matches 13.70% (effective 10/01/26)

Law Enforcement Officers:

Tier I-Pays 8.50% monthly. State matches 14.66% (effective 10/01/26) Tier II- Pays 7.20% monthly. State matches 13.70% (effective 10/01/26)

Health Insurance PEEHIP, established in 1983, provides health insurance benefits for active and retired education employees and is governed by the PEEHIP Board of Control. The Boards of Control elect the Secretary-Treasurer who serves as the Chief Executive Officer of the RSA and is responsible for the day-to-day management of the RSA. For more information visit http://www.rsa-al.gov/index.php/members/peehip

Premium amounts:

• Single $ 30
• Family (without Spouse but with dependents) $ 207
• Employee + Spouse (no dependents) $ 282
• Family (with Spouse and dependents*) $ 307

*Includes $100 per month spousal surcharge Note: The spousal surcharge does not apply to spouses who are independently eligible for PEEHIP.

Tobacco Usage Premium

• Member $ 50
• Spouse $ 50

The tobacco premium applies only to the PEEHIP Hospital Medical and VIVA Health plans. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive the non-tobacco user discount.

Wellness Premium

• Member $ 50
• Spouse $ 50

The wellness premium applies only to the Blue Cross Blue Shield Hospital Medical Group #14000 plan for non-Medicare eligible active and retired members, non-Medicare-eligible members on LOA or COBRA, and non-Medicare-eligible spouses on active or retired contracts. Refer to the Wellness Program section to learn how you and/or your spouse can receive a wellness premium waiver.

If desired, the employee may elect four options rather than health insurance options to include hospital indemnity, cancer, dental, and vision.

Optional Coverage Plan Premiums

• Cancer, Indemnity, and Vision Single or Family (cost per plan) $ 38
• Dental Single $ 38 Dental Family $ 50

Institution matches $1,048 monthly (effective 10/01/26).

Duty Hours (hours vary by campus and needs of the student)

Tuition Assistance This tuition waiver program is designed for all full-time instructional and non-instructional employees of The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education and their dependents as defined under by policy. The program will be coordinated by each institution for employees within The Alabama College System and the Alabama Department of Postsecondary Education. An application form for the tuition assistance program is available in the Human Resources office and should be completed prior to registration for classes.

Employees/Dependents at two-year colleges:

• 1/3 waived after 1st year
• 2/3 waived after 2nd year
• 3/3 waived after 3rd year

Note: Employee is vested after 10 years in Retirement System. Additional information regarding retirement may be obtained from the Retirement System Web site at www.rsa.al.gov.