Financial Aid Student Success Specialist

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.

As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.

NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.

Essential Duties

• Provides superior customer service to students via phone, email, text, and walk-ins regarding financial aid
• Understands and maintains extensive knowledge of the financial aid process to assist students
• Maintains Enrollment Support email box and corresponds with students as needed
• Indexes Financial Aid documents submitted to drop box and Adobe Sign. Notifies students if documents are incomplete or incorrect
• Makes appropriate service and resource referrals including Disability Resource Center, Career Pathways, Veterans Resources, Student Success Center, Counseling and Wellness Center etc
• Specializes in answering complex Financial Aid questions about federal aid, state aid, awards, disbursement, satisfactory academic progress, work-study, consortium
• agreements, transferring aid, cancel and adjustments to aid and special circumstances
• Adheres to policies and procedures for Student Services and the department. Maintains policy and procedure manuals and communicates applicable information to other staff members.
• Maintains a working knowledge of student service resources, including software, equipment, and websites
• Performs other duties related to the position as required or directed

Rate of Pay $19.76 per hour

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the organization and administration of various higher education academic and social programs.
• Knowledge of campus and community resources.
• Knowledge of state, federal, and campus rules, regulations, and requirements related to campus academic and social programs.
• Ability to coordinate the activities of campus academic and/or social programs.
• Ability to evaluate collected information and formulate into recommendations.
• Ability to compile information into report form.

Physical Demands/Work Environment

The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently:
* Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
* Sitting
* Standing
* Walking
Constantly:
* Hearing
* Repetitive motion
* Talking

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.

Environmental Conditions

The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.

The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree required or equivalent experience
• Outstanding customer service and attention to detail
• Preferred experience working in higher education
• Participate in professional development opportunities for team members
• Participate in educational/professional opportunities provided for staff in house to facilitate continued learning of enrollment processing best practices
• Complete Workday training
• Desired experience working in higher education and financial aid.
• This position's work hours are Monday-Friday 8am to 4:30pm

NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.