General Summary:
The Loan Officer serves two primary duties:
1) Direct Loan Processing and Recording - help students obtain financial assistance from the direct loan services provided by the Department of Education Federal Direct Student Loans. This position will be responsible for all loan application processing for Subsidized Loans, Unsubsidized loans and providing accurate and current Loan Counseling and financial literacy for students. The loan officer will be responsible for maintaining loan application files in compliance with the Federal Direct Loan Rules and Regulations and the policies and procedures of Salish Kootenai College; calculating student eligibility and packaging accurate calculations, maintaining reconciliation and closeout figurations with Salish Kootenai College Business Office and Department of Education.
2) Financial Aid Assistant – provide student with related information, respond to concerns, solve technical problems, and educate/instruct in financial aid processes. This position is also responsible for maintaining files in compliance with Federal rules and regulations and the policies and procedures of Salish Kootenai College including record keeping and general office procedures. Further responsibilities include but are not limited to: counseling students; assisting with development of handbooks, policies and procedures manuals, brochures, and other materials; and assisting with default management.
Major Duties and Responsibilities:
- Assist the Financial Aid Director with daily office responsibilities
- Maintain integrity and security of Financial Aid records
- Maintain current knowledge of federal and state codes, laws and regulations relating to the function of the position.
1) Direct Loan Processing and Recording
- Extensive knowledge of borrower eligibility, master promissory note (MPN), DL Awards and Payments, uses of COD to make a Direct Loan, drawing down and disbursing funds, reconciliation and closeout, borrower care.
- Calculate student eligibility and package Federal Direct Loans.
- Prepare student records and then export electronic loan applications in the Direct Loan Format from all software necessary.
- Default Prevention: Coordinate with Delinquent Students daily, monthly, yearly to bring current payment status to maintain Default Rate
- Coordinate and Instruct Direct Loan Entrance/Exit counseling; Financial Aid Literacy for students.
- Transmitting Loan Origination and Disbursement Data.
- Import of Loan Applications into Software.
- Correspondence of reconciliation with Business Office and Department of Education
2) Financial Aid Assistant
- Understanding financial aid requirements, rules and regulations, policies and procedures of PELL, FSEOG, Federal College work-study, Federal Direct Loans and other available educational funding.
- Maintain student files in compliance with the Department of Education rules and regulations and policies and procedures of SKC.
- Perform verification of student’s financial aid by documenting all data on students’ applications in compliance with Department of Education rules and regulations.
- Determine student’s eligibility to receive financial aid.
- Evaluate and determine student financial aid budgets.
- Award financial aid according to Pell grant eligibility and expected family contribution.
- Calculate awards student will receive ad prepare award letter.
- Determine if student is in default or owes a repayment at another institution.
- Monitor all information in students file for conflicting information.
- Assist with default management.
- Provide basic counseling to students as related primarily to financial aid, and other departmental responsibilities.
- Assist with evaluating student’s grades on a quarterly basis to determine whether student is making satisfactory academic progress.
- Sign drop/add slips for student’s, and counsel students of the results of this action.
- Extensive knowledge of computer system with entering, updating, sending and receiving student data set up and maintenance of individual student files; set up maintenance and tracking of all financial aid documents.
- Assist with updating departmental documentation as needed.
- Assist department with organizing and coordinating events: TCU Summer Meeting, SKC Graduation. Teach Financial Literacy mini workshops.
Qualifications:
- Associate’s Degree in business administration or closely related field
- Experience working with Native American populations in a technical or professional capacity
- Experience reading, interpreting, and abiding by federal rules regulations, policies, and procedures (e.g. PELL, FSEOG, Federal College work-study, Federal Direct Loans and other available educational funding)
- Demonstrated ability to function collegially in a team setting and to work cooperatively with faculty, staff, and students
- Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively and professionally with students, Faculty, staff, and public in both written and oral communications
- Experience in customer service or office setting that can translate positively to the position (e.g. Possess a pleasing telephone manner, diplomatic skills, and tact in dealing with the general public, students, staff, and faculty)
- Work experience with confidentiality and privacy in a business, work, or professional setting (e.g. Knowledge of Family Educational Rights & Privacy Act Regulations)
- Proficiency in computer and office software (e.g. Google Documents, Excel, PowerPoint, Pivot Tables, Powerfaids, Jenzabar or related software).
- Verified work experience demonstrating the ability to take initiative and complete complex tasks with minimal supervision using critical thinking skills to independently overcome obstacles
- Possess excellent Public Speaking, organizational and planning skills that allow easy to understand translation of complex and abstract ideas to the general public.
- Demonstrated skills in communication, interpersonal relations, office management, records management, supervision, office procedures, and bookkeeping as evidenced by work experience on the submitted application/resume.
KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
- Demonstrated ability to maintain confidentiality
- Ability to prioritize, coordinate, and manage duties
- Perform a variety of complex tasks independently and be self-directing and motivated.
- Provide role modeling to students of professional working relationships, including but not limited to:
Interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills
Organizational, conflict management, and teamwork skills
Citizenship skills
Attend all departmental, division, and institutional meetings as required
- Update and maintain departmental records
- Practice and maintain appropriate role as representative of SKC outside the campus environment
- Know and follow SKC administrative policies and procedures
- Other duties as assigned
To apply you must submit an SKC application, cover letter, resume and applicable transcripts to Human Resources, P.O. Box 70, Pablo, MT 59855 or email HR@SKC.edu Your application must include evidence that you have the skills, experiences and abilities indicated in this announcement.
Applicants are asked to provide copies of academic transcripts and any other educational, training or applicable credential or license, which may support your application for this position.
The information you provide with your application and resume will be used as deciding factors in our employment process.
As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer, we encourage applications from minorities, veterans and women. SKC is a tribal member preference employer as set forth in SKC policy. SKC is a drug free workplace.
All pre-hires must pass a drug test before formal hiring. This includes THC.
www.skc.edu – check us out – it’s a great place to work!
