Financial Aid Specialist (Customer Service Specialist Intermediate)

All Job Postings will close at 12:01 a.m. CT on the specified Closing Date (if designated).

Working Title:

Financial Aid Specialist (Customer Service Specialist Intermediate)

Institution:

South Central CollegeCustomer Svcs Specialist Int

Bargaining Unit / Union:

206: AFSCME - Clerical and Office

City:

North Mankato

FLSA:

Non Job Exempt

Full Time / Part Time:

Full time

Employment Condition:

Classified - Temporary (Fixed Term)

Salary Range:

Job Description

The Temporary Full-time Financial Aid Specialist provides high-quality, professional customer service to internal and external customers while covering the front desk at the Student Affairs Center at the Faribault campus. This position exists to serve as a key service point for internal and external customers as general reception for the college as well as to provide necessary financial aid information.  This position will have specific responsibility for scholarships, document processing, scanning, office support, and correspondence through various channels of communication. This position will have a set work schedule and serve as administrative support to the Financial Aid department.

Responsibilities

1. Provides customer service regarding inquiries.

• Provides excellent customer service at the Welcome Center front desk.
• Answers calls promptly and provide accurate information to callers or route calls appropriately.
• Determines needs and refers students to appropriate staff members.
• Assists students in navigating web sites for admission application and enrollment steps, course registration, entrance and exit loan counseling, loan applications, FAFSA completion, and completing other necessary processes on the web.
• Provides technical assistance to prospective, applicant and current students.
• Assist students with general information and issues regarding financial aid, admissions, policies and procedures to promote the understanding of college policy and procedures.
• Advise, investigate, problem solve and resolve questions and issues from prospective, current and previous students, parents, faculty, staff, other third parties and the public.
• Reviews students' records electronically using ISRS or other relevant software applications.
• Serve as the point of contact for the work study program at the Faribault Campus.

• Serve as the point of contact for the child care grant program at the Faribault Campus.

2. This position will have specific responsibilities for the financial aid aspects of the customer service center team, including but not limited to:

Scholarships

• Promote and record all outside scholarships, establishing a data base.
• Promote and record all application for South Central Foundation Scholarships.
• Verify eligibility prior to payment, credits and GPA, and other eligibility requirements.
• Assist in the selection process for the Foundation Scholarships.

Verification of Enrollment

• Maintain contact with servicers to inform them of address changes and last dates of attendance.
• Complete county and housing requests for financial aid and enrollment information forms.
• With the business office, support work to reduce accounts on the accounts receivable list.

Document Intake Tracking

• Review required forms to complete the financial aid verification/application process.
• Assists students with completing forms, reviews forms for accuracy and completeness, and forwards forms to the appropriate area for additional processing.
• Initiate tracking letter correspondence to request additional information from the student.
• Code receipt of financial aid documents being submitted for processing into the MnSCU ISRS system and scan documents into the Image Now electronic document storage system to assure compliance with the federal, state and local regulations concerning confidentiality and document storage. Assist in maintenance and updating of lmageNow system file folders and creation of work flows for document processing.

Outreach

• In collaboration with other financial aid staff, prepares materials for workshops including applications, workshop handouts and presentation materials. Schedules seminars and workshops; assigns dates, facilities and presenters; assists students and evaluates financial aid applicant results.

3. Perform other duties as assigned to ensure the smooth functioning of the department, Student Affairs and the South Central College.

• Provides support to both campuses when needed.
• Perform administrative support to the Director and department to ensure the smooth functioning of the department.
• Provide general office management and supervision of work study students.
• Coordinate information dissemination in the Welcome Center.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support the department, Student Affairs and the College.

Minimum Qualifications

• Two years of customer service skills in a fast-paced office setting or at an institution of higher education.
• Customer service skills sufficient to provide prompt, courteous, accurate and easy to understand  information to customers in person, on the phone, through email and other written correspondence.
• Skilled in identifying customer needs quickly and determining appropriate next steps, even when information is initially incomplete.
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and manage several work projects at one time.
• Experience accurately entering data and attention to detail for purposes of processing scholarship awards, etc.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office 365 including Word, Excel, etc.

Preferred Qualification 

• Associate Degree from an accredited college or university.
• Knowledge of student services processes, such as admissions, enrollment, financial aid, and campus resources typically accessed at a front desk.
• Knowledge of financial aid office operations or equivalent higher education experience.
• Knowledge of current student information system (such as, Integrated Student Record System) and ImageNow for archiving.

Other Requirements

• South Central College is unable to sponsor applicants for work visas.  All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. 
• Please attach a resume with your application, as this is a requirement to be considered.

• In accordance with the Minnesota State Colleges & Universities (Minnesota State) Vehicle Fleet Safety Program, employees driving on college/university business who use a rental or state vehicle shall be required to conform to Minnesota State’s Vehicle use criteria and consent to Motor Vehicle Records check. 

Work Shift (Hours / Days of work)

8:00am - 4:30pm / Monday - Friday

Telework (Yes/No)

No. This is an in-person position on the Faribault Campus.

Salary

$21.12 - $28.01 per hour.

About

South Central College is a comprehensive community and technical college that is part of the Minnesota State system, with campuses in Faribault and North Mankato.  To meet the educational needs of students and our communities, SCC provides lifelong learning opportunities. 

SCC is committed to fostering a campus environment of inclusion, knowledge, and understanding in which faculty, staff, and students learn to value diversity and to respect individual differences that enrich our college community. 

To learn more about South Central College and to apply, visit: https://southcentral.edu/hr

Why Work For Us?

We are a passionate and talented community of educators, staff, and students who are driven to succeed and are looking to grow our talented team with the addition of a positive and motivated team member! Visit our website at www.southcentral.edu.

This position is covered under the American Federation of State, County, & Municipal Employees (AFSCME) contract. Please view the collective bargaining agreement for more details: https://mn.gov/mmb-stat/000/az/labor-relations/afscme/contract/2025-2027/AFSCME-MultiUnit-2025-2027-Contract.pdf

Application

Please apply online as ONLY online applications will be considered. We are now accepting applications for review. South Central College requires that you include the following in your application:

• Resume/Curriculum Vitae which clearly addresses the requirements of the position

SCC is an affirmative action, equal opportunity educator and employer. Women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities, consumers with hearing or speech disabilities may contact us via their preferred Telecommunications Relay Service.

Application Deadline

Please apply prior to the 11/06/2026 close date to be considered for this opportunity.

Benefits Information

At Minnesota State, we have a GREAT BENEFITS PACKAGE! Our generous benefits include 11 paid Holidays, Vacation Time, Sick Time, six weeks of Paid Parental Leave, low cost medical and dental insurance with low deductibles ($150 - $1500), a Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement plans and other retirement investment options, pre-tax medical and dental expense (with roll-over option) and dependent care accounts, employer paid life insurance, short and long term disability, as well as professional development and a tuition waiver program for employees and their dependents, etc.  We promote the health and well-being of our employees and take work/life balance seriously.

Contact

Questions regarding this posting, please contact Stephanie Gates, HR Business Partner - stephanie.gates@southcentral.edu or 507-389-7277 by the posting close date.

If you would like to request an accommodation as part of the application process, please contact Brian Tiegs at brian.tiegs@southcentral.edu 

PCN: 01166167

Salary is commensurate with experience and qualifications and is subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable bargaining unit agreement or personnel plan.

Benefits Information:

At Minnesota State, we take your well-being and work-life balance seriously. We offer a comprehensive benefits package that features low-cost medical and dental insurance with affordable deductibles, employer-paid life insurance, short- and long-term disability, and pre-tax healthcare and dependent care accounts with a roll-over option. To further support your holistic health, employees also have access to a confidential Employee Assistance Program (EAP) for mental health, legal, and financial counseling. Detailed plan details, rates, and coverage choices can be reviewed directly via the State Employee Group Insurance Program (SEGIP) website.

 

To support your life outside of work, our package includes 12 paid holidays, generous vacation and sick time, and six weeks of Paid Parental Leave. We also help you secure your financial future with a robust Pension Plan, 457(b) and 403(b) retirement accounts, and various investment options. Furthermore, we invest in your growth by providing dedicated professional development and tuition waivers for both you and your dependents. Please note that specific benefit eligibility and coverage levels may vary depending on the type of position, employee classification, and collective bargaining agreements.

Desired Start Date:

11-23-2026

Position End Date:

11-23-2027

Open Date:

10-31-2026

Close Date:

11-06-2026

Posting Contact Name:

Stephanie Gates

Posting Contact Email:

stephanie.gates@southcentral.edu