Financial Aid Coordinator (Financial Aid Advisor II)

Title: Financial Aid Coordinator (Financial Aid Advisor II)

Salary: 41,730.00

Contract Term Length: 12 Months

Standard Hours: 37.5

Work Location: Hybrid

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

College: Gateway Community & Technical College

Campus Location: Gateway Boone

Department: Financial Aid

Total Rewards

Gateway Community & Technical College offers a competitive benefits package and an attractive work environment that supports excellence, innovation, and creativity including:

• Exceptional health care, vision, dental coverage for you and your family
• Tuition reimbursement/waiver for you, your spouse, and dependents
• 403(b) retirement plan: a 5% employee contribution receives a 10% employer match
• Vacation/Sick Time
• Work-Life Balance
• 9.5 Paid Holidays
• 2 Weeks Institutional Closing Pay (Last 2 weeks of December) for qualifying positions
• Employee Assistance Program

Job Summary

Manages and oversees the scholarship and Federal Work Study programs for the College, as well as assisting students, faculty and staff with general financial aid issues and questions. Implements procedures for and monitors compliance with state, federal and institutional guidelines to produce quality service for students.

Job Duties:

• Answers complex inquiries and provides advanced counsel to support navigation of student financial and administrative services and improve student recruitment, retention, and graduation.
• Provides counseling and assistance to students regarding various types of educational funding, completion of forms, and acts as liaison for students with other internal and external offices
• Works with Information Commons, Advising and Bookstore staff through IM, email, phone and in person to answer financial aid questions.
• Supports response to Signal Vine texting platform inquiries
• Fully utilizes learning opportunities to continue a high level of service to prospective, new and current students so that they have the support they need to be successful at Gateway.
• Stays up to date with frequent financial aid changes so that students and other departments receive correct information.
• Cooperatively works as a member of the Gateway financial aid team.
  
• Manages Gateway's institutional scholarship recruitment, application, selection, awarding, budget, compliance and disbursement process in coordination with Development Office, institutional scholarship review committee, Business Office, recruiters and Marketing
• Determines eligibility for institutional scholarships
• Acts as liaison for internal departments and students requesting scholarship information
• Leads the scholarship selection committee
• Manages scholarship software, Blackbaud Award Management, with continued development and documentation.
• Utilizes award management software to select students for KCTCS scholarships.
• Actively markets scholarship opportunities to increase student awareness and applications.
• Coordinates information to local high schools through recruiters to provide application opportunities to high school seniors and provides scholarship award certificates for high school award events.
  
• Manages Gateway's Federal Work-Study program by recruiting hiring supervisors and student applicants, posting and marketing positions, verifying student applicant eligibility, coordinating interviews with applicants and supervisors, overseeing hiring and associated paperwork, reviewing time sheets (electronic and paper)
• Manages federally-funded annual budget, maintaining records and completing reports and paperwork.
• Coordinates with internal departments and external non-profit organizations
• Ensures compliance with requirements for employed students and acts as liaison between student and employer.
• Complies with annual community service and reading tutor requirements.
  
• Implements educational programs for students and other external audiences on topics including financial aid.
• Hosts internal and external financial aid workshops and information tables; works with area high schools and outside agencies to ensure financial aid availability and access to higher education.
• Manages Early Childhood Development Scholarship: Report enrollment, determine eligibility, request, award and refund funds for the program.
• Communicate with students and state program coordinator as necessary.
• Other duties as assigned.
  
  

Minimum Qualifications:

• Associate's degree or equivalent
  
• 2+ years of experience in financial aid, student services, or related field
  
• Skilled in outreach, marketing, and public speaking
  
• Detail-oriented with strong organizational and compliance tracking abilities
  
• Collaborative mindset and adaptability to change
  
• Must be able to work independently.
  
• Detail-oriented, self-motivated, ability to work independently and adapt seamlessly to fast-paced, dynamic environments.
  
• Skilled in engaging and supporting students from different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds.
  
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities effectively and meet tight deadlines.
  
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Excel, Forms, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint, Word).
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Knowledge of financial aid regulations and scholarship administration
  
• Proficiency with financial aid systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Blackbaud) and digital communication tools
  
• Previous experience in a community college setting
  

Additional Skills Requested:

• Student-Centered Communication: Ability to communicate complex financial aid information clearly and compassionately to diverse student populations.
  
• Regulatory Knowledge: Strong understanding of federal, state, and institutional financial aid policies and procedures.
  
• Technology Proficiency: Experience with financial aid and scholarship management systems (e.g., PeopleSoft, Blackbaud Award Management, Signal Vine).
  
• Project Management: Skilled in organizing and managing multiple programs, deadlines, and stakeholders.
  
• Collaboration & Teamwork: Proven ability to work effectively with internal departments, external partners, and community organizations.
  
• Marketing & Outreach: Ability to promote scholarship and work-study opportunities through various channels including social media, email, and in-person events.
  
• Attention to Detail: Strong skills in reviewing documentation, verifying eligibility, and maintaining compliance records.
  
• Adaptability: Comfortable navigating frequent changes in financial aid regulations and institutional processes.
  
• Public Speaking & Presentation: Capable of leading workshops, information sessions, and committee meetings.
  
• Position requires independent decisions and recommendations regarding identification of individuals requiring manual intervention when situations do not conform to system protocol.
  
• In order to perform all job responsibilities, applicants may not be in default on a federal student loan

Employee Rights - Employee Polygraph Protection Act

Equal Opportunity Employer - The Kentucky Community and Technical College System is an equal educational and employment opportunity institution.