Awards Coordinator

About the Role

The Awards Coordinator plays a critical role in helping students access the financial resources they need to achieve their educational goals. By coordinating financial aid awards, determining eligibility, and ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional requirements, this position empowers students to persist, complete their education, and improve their future. The role directly impacts student success by ensuring financial aid is awarded accurately, efficiently, and compassionately, serving as a trusted resource for students and families navigating the financial aid process. It combines analytical problem‑solving with a student‑centered approach, offering experience in financial aid administration, regulatory compliance, student advising, and cross‑functional collaboration.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct needs analysis in compliance with federal criteria to determine each applicant’s eligibility.
• Verify student and parent application data in compliance with federal criteria.
• Determine types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Demonstrate success working with diverse communities.
• Monitor individual student awards.
• Resolve data conflicts and over‑awards.
• Use professional judgment to adjust a student’s eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances in accordance with federal statutes.
• Provide financial aid counseling to students and parents; refer to other student service offices as needed.
• Support students experiencing family, personal, or economic crises, with special focus on special‑needs populations.
• Monitor and evaluate satisfactory academic progress of students.
• Adjudicate student appeals relating to academic progress when required.
• Support financial aid training and information workshops, including counseling sessions, college success classes, high‑school college nights, early awareness programs, at‑risk youth programs, and application sessions.
• Serve as a campus/community resource for dissemination of financial aid information.
• Interact with outside entities to facilitate the student eligibility process.
• Participate in developing institutional financial aid policies and procedures to improve efficiency and service quality.
• Maintain appropriate database systems and generate reports.
• Participate in annual training and professional organizations to stay current on program changes.
• Deploy data‑informed, results‑oriented financial aid programs (e.g., reduction of student default rate).
• Utilize technology to access data, maintain records, generate reports, and communicate with others.
• Interpret, articulate, and implement regulations, guidelines, and procedures to ensure compliance with Dallas College, state, and federal requirements.
• Prepare reports, proposals, and recommendations; keep detailed records of assigned activities.
• Complete required Dallas College Professional Development training hours each academic year.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of the purpose of community colleges and the vision of Dallas College.
• Experience in operational planning, policy development, and outcome/needs assessment for financial aid processing and award packaging.
• Ability to interpret, understand, and apply innovative technology platforms that support the holistic student experience.
• Strong knowledge of federal financial programs and supporting regulations.
• Ability to identify and address opportunities and challenges arising from Dallas College’s current transition.
• Ability to balance an analytical mind with a compassionate heart.
• Strong belief in the value of education coupled with the ability to manage regulatory requirements alongside a human‑centered experience.
• Professional and collaborative demeanor.
• Ability to resolve conflicts with integrity and compassion and develop effective relationships at all levels.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills, including effective use of technology and resources.
• Understanding of contemporary issues in higher education.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse student and employee populations.
• Ability to collaborate on solutions that remove barriers to living‑wage employment for the community.
• Excellent interpersonal and written/verbal communication skills for conveying complex ideas to a variety of stakeholders.
• Commitment to providing excellent customer service.

Minimum Qualifications

• Associate degree or higher (Bachelor’s degree preferred); official transcripts required.
• Two (2) years of experience in a higher‑education setting with direct financial aid counseling, eligibility determination, needs analysis, verification, and packaging.
• Willingness to work extended hours beyond the regular 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. schedule, including nights and weekends during peak registration periods.
• Current and valid Texas driver’s license.
• Bilingual or multilingual skills preferred.
• Subject to criminal background check; some positions may require fingerprint check.

Pay

Hourly Rate: $33.10 (Non‑Exempt). Weekly work hours: 40.

Schedule

Standard workday is 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.; extended hours, nights, and weekends may be required during heavy registration periods.

About Dallas College

Since 1965, Dallas College (formerly Dallas County Community College District) has served more than three million students across seven campuses in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, making it one of