Job Description

Under the direction of the Manager of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Officer position is responsible for determining students’ financial aid eligibility, awarding financial aid to students. Along with processing of federal, state, institutional, and any outside aid for students through the analysis of financial aid data and student documents.

This position requires individuals to perform multiple tasks utilizing proven problem solving skills and knowledge of financial aid policies and procedures, with the highest level of customer service. Excellent communication skills are necessary for providing critical and diverse oral presentations and for training staff. Since many communications are in writing and involve explaining complex laws and policies, sound writing skills are crucial.

Application Materials: Please submit a PDF version of your resume/CV and list of your current references. We need at least two professional references that have served in a supervisory role. Cover letter is optional, and not required. If you would like to upload additional documents under the “Documents Section”. This section is located after “Links” and before “Questions” in the application. Note to application: The email address you use to apply with, will be the username for your account and all email notifications. Questions, please email hr@lapu.edu.

Compensation: $20.11 - $25.13 - Paygrade 6 (non-exempt)

Classification: This position is classified as "Remote". Home Office: *Employee's home office must be located in a state LAPU is registered in (AZ, AR, CA, CO, FL, GA, IL, KS, KY, MN, MO, MT, NM, NC, OH, OR, PA, TX, TN, VA, WA, WI)

Remote Expectation
We expect our employees to be able to fulfill their LAPU responsibilities with minimal distractions. While remote work does offer flexibility, employees should make arrangements for regular dependent care during work hours.

Required Experience / Education

• Christian Commitment: Demonstrates a strong Christian faith and lifestyle.
• Mission Alignment: Supports the evangelical mission and purpose of LAPU.
• Financial Aid Knowledge: Proficient in understanding, interpreting, and applying financial aid laws, regulations, and procedures; skilled in analyzing student financial aid eligibility based on established criteria.
• Mathematical Proficiency: Knowledgeable in arithmetic operations, including addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, percentages, ratios, and fractions.
• Judgment & Initiative: Able to exercise sound, independent judgment and demonstrate personal initiative.
• Data Analysis: Experienced in analyzing and interpreting complex and confidential information, with the ability to prepare materials in response to inquiries.
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities.
• Professional Experience: 1-2 years of general business experience, ideally in a related or highly regulated field.
• Education: Associate’s degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Desired Experience / Education

• Bachelor’s degree
• 2-5 years of financial aid experience or general business experience, preferably in higher education or a field that is highly regulated
• Jenzabar and PowerFaids experience
• Borrower Based Academic Year (BBAY) experience

Essential Function

• Reviews and processes student supplemental requests for direct loans and student/parent PLUS loans.
• Keeps current with changes in State/Federal/Institutional regulations as it pertains to assigned programs.
• Exercises professional judgment in interpreting policy and procedures to ensure compliance.
• Evaluate the accuracy of FAFSA data entry and complete verifications for families that are selected for verification.

• Awards and revises all federal, state, and institutional aid as well as private student loans for students within federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Communicate with other Student Financial Services staff, along with other departments across campus in a timely manner regarding adjustments needed to students’ financial aid award packages and other individual student’s circumstances
• Review, interpret and apply complex federal and state regulations to remain in compliance by attending conferences, workshops, webinars, and other available forms of training as applicable.
• Uses COD, FSA Partner, NSLDS, FAA Access, Web grants and various other financial aid websites to complete tasks.
• Maintains updated loan procedures.
• Researches loan errors.
• Regular, punctual attendance as required by the supervisor based on department needs.
• Required to work a Saturday commencement event each calendar year.
• Performs other duties related to job description as assigned by the Manager of Financial Aid.

Missional Expectations

All employees play a critical role in the establishment and maintenance of a robust Christian community that seeks to serve with grace the needs of all employees and students. As a LAPU employee you are called to engage with your colleagues and all those that the university serves by modeling Christ-like character in all of your interactions. You will celebrate and honor other employees and students as being made in the image of God; be thankful, expressing gratitude to God and one another; build others up with your words; and work as an instrument of God's love seeking to heal a lost and broken world.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Excellent interpersonal communication skills and a commitment to work effectively with a diverse faculty,
  staff, and student body
• Excellent communication skills and proven management experience
• Ability to work collaboratively across organizational units specifically related to student admissions,
  enrollment, and financial aid services in an online education delivery model
• Strong command of the English language with excellent written and oral communication skills
• Strong organizational skills, detail-oriented, with an ability to plan and manage multiple projects
  concurrently in a timely manner
• Ability to be proactive, to work with little supervision and meet deadlines
• Ability to adapt to a changing environment in a positive way
• Ability to formulate, interpret, adapt, and apply policies in a complex university setting
• Experience in financial aid and governmental regulations in reference to compliance and processes
• Skill in the use of personal computers and appropriate software applications within online education (see
  below)
• A positive, cooperative, Christ-like attitude supportive of the University and its mission

Mental Demands

• Ability to work autonomously and with accuracy
• Present self in a professional manner and reflect the goals and standards of LAPU
• Ability to research, gather data, compile information, and prepare reports
• Ability to investigate, analyze information, and draw conclusions
• Ability to engage in critical thinking and exercise independent judgment
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage confidential information

Physical Demands

• This position typically includes the following physical demands. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
• Ability to stand, walk, and sit for extended periods of time
• Sufficient hand, arm, and finger dexterity to operate a computer keyboard and other office equipment
• Visual acuity to read words and numbers
• Speaking and hearing ability sufficient to communicate in person or over the telephone
• Ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force and occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds

Technologies

• Google Suit (mail, docs, drive, drive sheets)
• Slack
• Zoom and Virtual meeting platforms
• Microsoft Office suite - Word, PowerPoint, Excel
• Jenzabar
• Financial Aid software - Powerfaids
• Student Forms (Campus Logic)

Non-discrimination Statement

The University seeks to provide equal employment opportunities and is dedicated to the principle that access to employment opportunities be accorded to all employees and applicants on the basis of individual qualification and without regard to race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture and protective hairstyles, including braids, locks, and twists), color, sex (including childbirth, breast feeding, and related medical conditions), national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, uniform service member status and veteran status, marital status, pregnancy, age (40 and over), protected medical condition (including cancer and genetic conditions), genetic information, disability (mental and physical),medical leave or other types of protected leave (requesting or approved for leave under the Family and Medical Leave Act or the California Family Rights Act), domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other protected status in accordance with all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

The University is a Christian University of higher education. It is governed by a self-perpetuating Board of Trustees. The University reserves the right to maintain its heritage and destiny as a Christian witness in higher education and asserts its right to employ and retain only those persons who subscribe to and support Our Identity and Statement of Faith.

This job description is intended to provide guidelines for job expectations and the employee's ability to perform the position described. It is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all functions, responsibilities, skills, and abilities. Additional functions and requirements may be assigned by supervisors as deemed appropriate. This document does not represent a contract of employment, and Los Angeles Pacific University reserves the right to change this job description and/or assign tasks for the employee to perform, as the University may deem appropriate.

We offer a competitive benefits package for eligible employees including: 30 days PTO or unlimited PTO for directors and above, med/dental/vision plans, life/LTD/ADD insurance, retirement and tuition assistance.

If you have a passion for service, education and innovation, we’re interested in talking to you!

Be part of this powerful campus of an already-prestigious university that offers flexibility and innovation delivery of education to learners everywhere.

If you want to join a dynamic, God-first culture that strives to provide quality academic programs to countless students, we welcome you to apply

This is the most exciting time to be working at Los Angeles Pacific University! With our team of dedicated professionals and faculty, we are creating a new hope for the future by investing in lives through learning pathways that are Christ-centered, flexible and accessible.

Experience

Required

• 1 - 2 years: General business experience, ideally in a related or highly regulated field.

Preferred

• 2 - 5 years: Financial Aid Experience or general business experience, preferably in higher education or a field that is highly regulated.

Education

Required

• Associates or better

Behaviors

Preferred

• Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
• Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
• Team Player: Works well as a member of a group

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