Financial Aid Specialist

About the role

MATC is seeking a Financial Aid Specialist to provide comprehensive advising to current and prospective students regarding available financial aid programs and application procedures. This role supports students throughout the financial aid process, helping them navigate often complex eligibility requirements, forms, and deadlines.

Responsibilities

• Guides students on educational related financial matters including budget planning, their rights and responsibilities related to financial aid, including terms and conditions of aid programs and repayment obligations, and related financial aid options.
• Supports students through in-person appointments and drop-ins, virtually through Zoom and other platforms, and timely email responses.
• Explains financial aid procedures, eligibility requirements, and deadlines to ensure students understand the full application process.
• Provides guidance to students as they complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and required follow up documentation and also provides guidance to students in completing applications for various types of financial aid, including federal and state grants, loans, scholarships, and work-study programs.
• Troubleshoots problems with FAFSA submission and student portals.
• Maintains accurate records, generates reports, and remains up-to-date with Department of Education regulatory changes.
• Reads and interprets regulations relevant to Title IV student financial aid assistance programs.
• Conducts federal verification processes in compliance with regulatory requirements, ensuring accuracy and completeness of student financial aid files.
• Guides students on Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards and guides them through the appeal process to help maintain their eligibility for federal student aid.
• Represents the MATC Financial Aid Office at outreach events, workshops, and orientation sessions, including high school visits and community events. Delivers presentations on financial aid processes and promotes financial wellness resources.
• Reviews and evaluates complex student situations, including provisional independent status, unaccompanied homeless youth determinations, and special circumstances requiring professional judgment. Ensures adherence to institutional policies, state and federal regulations, and industry best practices.
• Practices honesty by demonstrating a consistent and uncompromising adherence to strong moral and ethical principles, values, truthfulness, and accuracy in all actions. Addresses all student and employee behavior in a confidential and respectful manner.
• Establishes, maintains and enhances positive working relationships with staff, faculty and administrators.
• Maintains current knowledge of best practices and standards in higher education with an emphasis on community colleges. Actively participates in applicable workgroups, trainings, workshops, seminars, committees and professional associations or conferences to promote continuous learning.

Requirements

• Required Education & Experience: Associate’s degree in a related field and three (3) years of experience in a financial aid, higher education administration or financial institution office/role.
• Prior experience in a financial aid, higher education administration or financial institution office/role preferred.

Qualifications

• Compliance with all state, federal, and accreditation standards/requirements, as well as all MATC policies and procedures.
• Working knowledge of financial aid federal sites.
• Knowledge and ability to counsel students and parents on FAFSA application and utilization while effectively communicating financial aid award options e.g. (Institutional grants and scholarships, Pell Grant, Wisconsin Grant, Federal Work-Study, and Federal Student loans.)
• Proficient in performing accurate numerical calculations, with strong attention to detail in data entry and analysis.
• Able to problem solve effectively.
• Able to overcome obstacles by engaging internal and external resources.
• Able to complete projects in a higher education setting.
• Able to work in a fast-paced environment delivering excellent student service support.
• Able to communicate effectively through both oral and written means.
• Able to establish, collaborate and maintain effective work relationships with students, parents, faculty, staff, representatives of outside agencies, educational institutions, and the general public.
• Able to convey an image of professionalism and dedication in work related activities.
• Ability to work with culturally diverse student and employee populations.
• Proficiency in the use of computers and software specific to position, including spreadsheets and Google Suite.
• Able to successfully work independently as well as in cross functional teams.

Benefits

Start Date: This position supports the Financial Aid Department and is available starting as soon as possible. This position will be based out the Downtown Campus. Hours: This position is full-time with hours available Monday-Friday between the hours of 8am and 6pm. Salary: Salary is listed to the midpoint of the salary range. Rates and are determined by years of experience credit and internal salary equity.

Application Materials: Along with your completed applications, please upload a resume and cover letter. Education will be formally verified prior to offer. Interviews Selected candidates will be invited to virtually interview for this position after the application deadline.

EEO: Milwaukee Area Technical College will not discriminate against any employee, applicant for employment, student, or applicant for admission on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, creed, religion, political affiliation, marital status, parental status, pregnancy, disability, age, membership in any reserve component of the armed forces, union affiliation, arrest and conviction record, or any other protected category under applicable local, state or federal law. Milwaukee Area Technical College is an Equal Opportunity/Access Educator/Employer. Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified individuals with disabilities.

Health Insurance: MATC offers a choice between two medical insurance plans. See below for plan types:

• Low Deductible PPO
• High Deductible PPO

Upon selection, the coverage begins the first of the month following start date. You will have 30 days from your start date to enroll. MATC contributes a generous percentage towards medical insurance premium. Both medical plans include prescription drug coverage at no additional cost to employees.

Dental Insurance: MATC offers a group dental plan through Delta Dental. Upon selection, the dental insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date. Annual maximum per covered person is $2,500; plan covers preventive, routine, restoration, and has an orthodontic benefit for dependents up to age 19.

Vision Insurance: MATC offers a group vision plan through Superior Vision. Upon selection, the vision insurance plan coverage begins the first of the month following start date. Plan covers eye exam, frames, lenses and contact lenses.

Group Life Insurance: MATC offers group term life insurance benefits through Madison National Life Insurance Company effective the first of the month of start date and is fully paid for by the College. The amount of insurance is based upon the employee’s annual earnings rounded to the higher $1,000.00. The benefit is doubled in the event of accidental death.

Long-Term Disability: MATC offers long-term disability insurance through Madison National Life Company after 30 days of employment and is fully paid for by the College. Benefits provided are equal to 66 2/3% of base monthly earnings.

Flexible Spending Accounts: MATC offers two types of Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA): Health Care FSA Dependent Care FSA This type of benefit allows employees to set aside pre-tax dollars per calendar year for a variety of medical, dental, and vision expenses (for a Health Care FSA) and for day care expenses for children under 13 or family members that are dependent on you for more than half their support (for a Dependent Care FSA) up to a maximum amount.

Sick Leave: MATC offers employees a generous sick leave plan per year. Each employee may accumulate up to 165 days of full sick leave with an unlimited accumulation of half pay sick leave.

Vacation: MATC offers a vacation policy to employees for the purpose of rest and relaxation. Vacation is earned at a geometrically increasing rate based on years of service.