Financial Aid Military Liaison and Office Coordinator

Report to Director of Financial Aid

Department Financial Aid – Institutional Relations

FLSA Status Salary, Non-Exempt

JOB PURPOSE

Assist the Midwestern Baptist / Spurgeon College Office of Financial Aid with U. S. Department of Education compliance, processes, and procedures. Serve as the liaison between U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs, our veteran community, and the Office of Financial Aid.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Provide exceptional customer service for current, incoming, and prospective students, and employees of the institution.
• Respond to inquiries concerning Financial Aid and Veteran’s Administration (VA) eligibility and requirements
• Complete required training as a new school certifying official (SCO) and maintain ongoing knowledge of new SCO training requirements
• Attend annual SCO training modules as required
• Remain current on all Federal Tuition Assistance (TA) and State Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) knowledge, and skills
• Maintain and update all TA and VA policies and processes
• Ensure students understand all policies and procedures related to their aid records 
• Processes certification for benefits according to federal guidelines and regulations
• Determine award amount adjustments, changes, or corrections as needed to student accounts
• Address inquiries regarding the use of veteran benefits
• Ensure supporting documentation required by federal agencies or the VA is communicated and collected 
• Communicate with Federal, State, and local agencies which provide financial assistance to VA students
• Advise students on financial aid applications, planning, resources, money management, and available sources of other aid and the process of applying 
• Prepare and maintain records and files for reporting purposes
• Compile data and prepare special or recurring reports for supervisor or other departments as requested 
• Maintain accurate and up to date files for annual Financial Aid and Veteran’s Affairs audits
• Educate prospective students on financial aid benefits and educational opportunities at the institution
• Maintain current knowledge of federal, state, local and VA requirements through regular professional development activities 
• Attend and participate in department meetings
• Participate in ongoing departmental training activities to ensure an understanding of the colleges programs, curriculum, graduation requirements, policies and procedures, resources, and services available to students, coordinating with staff in the areas of financial aid, registration, and admission, and other enrollment management services 
• Performs other related duties as assigned
• Learn processes such as importing FAFSAs, packaging federal aid, reporting enrollment, and solving problems within the office to ensure Department of Education compliance.
• Coordinate and enhance all data system processes, document management systems, and various compliance reports within the office.
• Document and input scholarships into the scholarship management tool as well as assist in the streamlining of the scholarship awarding process.
• Ensure phones are answered, email questions are addressed in a timely manner, and students are helped promptly with questions when they visit the office.

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Including:

• Christian with high integrity, currently pursuing a relationship with God
• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year institution
• Positive attitude with a desire and willingness to learn
• Able to multi-task, analyze workload, and prioritize as necessary for the benefit of the department
• Must exhibit a strong attention to detail
• A self-starter, able to work independently with little supervision, as well as work within a team setting
• Loves problem solving
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written
• Able to address groups of individuals with poise and confidence
• Must be able to pass background screening, including driving record
• Eligible to work in the United States

Key Values

• Humble
• Flexible/Servant-hearted
• Willing and happy to do little things which are often overlooked
• Listen well to others’ directives, needs, and desires
• Hospitable; make others feel welcome, important, and involved
• Open to correction and change
• Hungry
• Curious to learn and try new things
• Complete assignments on time
• Look to improve processes
• Smart
• Enjoy details, organization, and catching little mistakes
• Assertive when working on projects and takes pride in finishing the task 
• Able to put pieces together and solve problems with limited direction
• Relationally aware, reads people well, and is able to sense when something is “off”
• Happy
• Excited to be a part of the vision and mission of Midwestern Baptist and Spurgeon College
• Able to serve others with sincere joy
• Manage demanding situations and relationships with optimism
• People-oriented, cheerful

BENEFIT PACKAGE

Full-Time employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical 
• Dental
• Vision
• Telehealth
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Employer Paid Life & AD/D for the employee as well as dependents.
• Voluntary Life & AD/D
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
• 403(b) Retirement
• Paid Sick Leave and PTO
• MBTS / Spurgeon College Tuition Reimbursement for employee and dependents
• Access to on campus cafeteria and coffee shop
• Access to on campus gymnasium, exercise facilities, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm
• Conditions are those of a typical office environment.
• Oral communication with students and colleagues may be required.
• Some travel may be required to be present and address students, their parents, and fellow professionals at appropriate college and regional functions.

PHYSICIAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently required to sit or stand for periods of time at desk or computer station. 
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Able lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.
• Able to legally drive a rental car on behalf of the institution. 
• Specific vision abilities may include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

This job description is meant to describe the general nature and level of job requirements; this description is not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties or skills required for the position.

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary is an Equal Opportunity Employer

Midwestern Baptist Theological Seminary will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with a disability so they may perform the essential functions of a job unless doing so causes a direct threat to these individuals or others or causes undue hardship to the institution. Contact human resources (HR) with any questions or requests for accommodation.