Financial Aid Specialist

• posted 7/30/2026 until 8/14/2026 or until filled
• Pierpont Community & Technical College

Job Description

JOB TITLE: Financial Aid Specialist

AGENCY: Pierpont Community and Technical College

WORK LOCATION: Pierpont Advanced Technology Center, 500 Galliher Drive Fairmont, West Virginia 26554

REPORTS TO: Financial Aid Director

FLSA Status: Exempt

Employee Category: Nonclassified

_____________________________________________________________________________________

GENERAL JOB SUMMARY

This position is responsible for counseling and advising students and parents on the Financial Aid process. The Financial Aid Specialist will help students complete FAFSA, determine eligibility of Federal Student Aid for individual programs, and make awards to students. The Specialist will also make adjustments to awards during the year. Work is performed under the supervision of the Director of Financial Aid.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Assists with analyzing current practices and processes, helping to develop recommendations for new policies, practices, and procedures.
• Responsible for the daily/weekly/monthly receipt and disbursement processing in the student information accounting system, student loan system, and the state's accounting system, serving as liaison to all offices and parties on day-to-day issues.
• Responsible for creating various reports to ensure accurate scholarship financial records are maintained. Assists in preparing academic progress and verification reports and aids with maintaining files and update information for all assigned funds.
• Administers various loan/grant programs, inputting awards into system, identifying and solving over-award conflicts, resolving academic progress conflicts, reconciling funds disbursed with the state, preventing and resolving program conflicts, ensuring the repayment of funds for which students are no longer eligible.
• Imports and exports all records through the Dept. of Education portal.
• Provides assistance with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other requirements needed for the application, acceptance, and disbursement of financial aid. - Receives and reviews documents from students and parents, checking each document for proper completion and accuracy.
• May update or provide information to update the financial aid web page and confirms accuracy of information through periodic reviews.
• Assists with the coordination and preparation of outgoing mailings to students, including award letters, tracking letters, and other types of correspondence critical to the operation of the financial aid office.
• Answers incoming calls, providing information requested or transferring callers to appropriate staff.
• Assists with other general clerical duties, typing letters, greeting visitors, entering data, pulling reports.
• Acts as backup to other positions within the unit and may be required to perform others' duties.
• Performs related duties as assigned or as directed.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Self-directed, with good organizational skills
• Ability to act independently as well as part of a team
• Must possess excellent customer service skills and be adaptable to changing work environment
• Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office with emphasis on working with spreadsheet data
• Must possess good oral and written communication skills
• Must be able to perform multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines
• Maintain confidentiality
• Demonstrated willingness and ability to act ethically and socially responsible
• Exceptional customer service orientation
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills.
• Must be able to communicate sensitive and/or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner
• Must possess a high level of accuracy, self-motivation, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle a heavy workload.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE

•Associate degree in related field required. Bachelors preferred. At least one-year related experience is required. Any equivalent combination of education and/or experience is acceptable which provides the applicant the listed knowledge, skills, and abilities and the capability to perform the essential functions of the job.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

•Moderate physical activity. Requires handling of average-weight objects up to 15 pounds; standing, siting and/or walking for brief to long periods.

Equal Opportunity Employer

The West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and the Community and Technical College System of West Virginia are equal opportunity employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability. The Commission and Council provide a collegial and respectful environment that values the contributions all staff.

DISCLAIMER

This description does not state or imply that the duties listed are the only duties to be performed by the position incumbent. Employees are required to follow job-related instructions and perform other job-related activities assigned by their supervisor. Most requirements are subject to possible modification in order to provide a reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. Some requirements may exclude individuals who pose a direct threat or significant risk to the health and safety of themselves, students, other employees, or the general public.