Financial Aid Intake and Processing Specialist

Salary $37,592.00 Annually
Location  Dallas, NC
Job Type Full-Time Regular Staff
Job Number 2022-00721
Division Student Affairs
Department Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs
Opening Date 04/16/2026

SUMMARY

Open until filled-

Provide customer assistance and backup processing to the Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs Department. Must be detail-oriented, have great organizational skills, possess the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, work well under pressure, and provide excellent customer service. 

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Greet and assist students by answering questions and referring students to appropriate resources.
2. Assist with receiving, verifying, processing, and administering federal student aid applications via electronic data processing, processing initial applications, renewal applications, corrections, payments, and reporting.
3. Receive, interpret, and implement policies, rules, procedures, and regulations pertaining to the administration of federal, state, and local financial aid programs.
4. Assist students in completing admissions and financial aid steps and handle other matters in a confidential and customer service-oriented manner.
5. Assist directors and specialists with a variety of duties including, but not limited to, enrollment status, student file completion and verification, office and phone coverage, scholarship processing, and student volume management.
6. Knowledge of Federal Educational Rights and Privacy Acts (FERPA) rules and regulations.
7. Assist with processing financial aid applications utilizing U.S. Department of Education’s required software in addition to the State software to process student applications.
8. Assist with performing adjustments and reconciling student financial aid accounts.
9. Attend state and federal financial aid meetings to secure current information and training on regulations and procedures.
10. Counsel students and parents on programs, policies, and procedures.
11. Produce a variety of institutional documents (letters, reports, student publications, and flyers, etc.).
12. Input and maintain student files and records using College information systems.
13. Order and maintain office supplies, process requisitions and payment of bills, and process incoming and outgoing mail.
14. Stay informed of departmental, divisional, and College procedures.
15. Assist with events such as Open House, registration, financial aid presentations, and graduation.
16. Perform other duties, responsibilities, or special projects as assigned by the immediate supervisor or the Vice President for Student Affairs.
17. Evening and weekend work hours will vary depending on College needs, registration, and special events.

MINIMUM EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

• High school diploma or GED required.
• Associate degree in business, accounting, or related field preferred

MINIMUM EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

• One year of experience in a business, financial aid, or educational setting preferred.
• Must be detail-oriented, possess ability to work in a fast-paced environment, work well under pressure, and have great organizational skills.
• Experience in a community college setting preferred.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS 

• Generally, works in a traditional climate-controlled office environment and requires the ability to sit for extended periods.
• Some walking, standing, and bending required, and the ability to lift and maneuver items weighing up to 15 pounds. 
• Work environment can be stressful at times in dealing with a wide variety of challenges and deadlines.
• In addition to regular office hours, position sometimes requires overtime and/or evening hours.

BENEFITS

Gaston College provides a comprehensive, affordable insurance and benefits program.  We are continuously investigating new benefit offerings that are responsive to the needs of our regular** employees. 

• State Health Plan
• Dental Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Health Care and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Additional Supplemental Insurances
• NC State Retirement Plan
• Supplemental Retirement Plans
• Disability Benefits, Long- and Short-Term
• Longevity Pay
• State Employees' Credit Union Eligibility
• Leave (Vacation, Sick, FMLA, Civil and Military, Child/Student Involvement, Education, and Voluntary Shared)
• Paid Holidays
• Educational Advancement Compensation
• Tuition Assistance
• Employee Discount Program
• Benefits Overview Booklet

**Please note:  Temporary (part-time) employees do not earn benefits.

Salary/Compensation: $37,592 per year