A Financial Aid Counselor or Specialist provides information and assistance to students and families, including information on student loans and other sources of financial aid. Leads group presentations or provides individual counseling and assistance with the application process; may also solicit and review applications for specific scholarships.
$24.96 - $29.96 per hour Position Summary Students don't just need a financial aid form processed. They need someone who can untangle the knot, ask the right questions, and confidently say, "Here's how we make this work." If you thrive on solving financial puzzles, care deeply about removing barriers to education, and can hold firm numbers and human empathy in the same conversation, this is your role! Pima Medical Institute is seeking a detail-oriented, empathetic Financial Aid Officer to join our Seattle campus team. In this high-volume role, you will combine compliance-focused data entry with supportive student counseling to guide students through the institutional and federal financial aid process. Don't forget to ask about the benefits of employee ownership during your interview! Yes, as a PMI team member, you will be an employee-owner!
Key Responsibilities Financial Aid Counseling & File Management:
Student Counseling:
Interview prospective, second-year, and third-year students to conduct needs assessments, determine financial aid eligibility, and answer complex funding questions.
Title IV Compliance:
Interpret and apply Title IV, state, and institutional aid rules to maximize student funding access while maintaining strict compliance.
Form & File Completion:
Assist students in completing financial aid applications; coordinate required signatures and track ISIRs (Institutional Student Information Records) for current and future starts.
Verification & Audit:
Complete verification on all selected ISIRs, resolve C-Codes, and audit future start packaging files to ensure proper award forms and documentation are complete prior to matriculation.
Veterans & Special Funding Programs:
VA Benefits Administration:
Counsel veteran students and process funding ensuring strict adherence to Department of Veterans Affairs and State Approving Agency guidelines.
Agency Coordination:
Complete agency needs analysis forms and verify proof of third-party agency funding.
Documentation Verification:
Coordinate and verify proof of eligible non-citizenship status, paid-in-full documentation, and default/Pell overpayment resolutions.
Student Accounts & Institutional Systems:
System Data Entry:
Enter packaging dates, Pell/SEOG allocations, and loan submission dates into institutional financial databases.
Payment Plans & Repayment:
Establish and manage private-pay repayment plans across all programs. Contact former students with outstanding balances to set up equitable payment schedules.
Admissions Collaboration:
Communicate proactively with Admissions staff regarding appointment attendance, rescheduling no-shows, and maintaining seamless onboarding workflows.
Qualifications & Skills Minimum Requirements:
Education:
High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate degree preferred.
Experience:
Previous experience in Title IV financial aid administration, student finance, or high-volume regulatory compliance settings.
Communication & Empathy:
Exceptional interpersonal skills with the ability to navigate delicate financial conversations with patience and clarity.
Detail-Oriented:
Demonstrated ability to manage complex data entry with high accuracy in a fast-paced environment.
Technical Skills:
Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook) and student information systems.
Preferred Knowledge & Systems Experience:
Title IV Programs:
Direct experience with Pell Grants, SEOG, Direct Subsidized/Unsubsidized Loans, and PLUS Loans.
Federal Systems:
Hands-on experience with COD (Common Origination and Disbursement), NSLDS (National Student Loan Data System), and FAA Access.
VA Benefits:
Knowledge of Chapter 33 (Post-9/11 GI Bill), Chapter 31 (VR&E), and VA Once certification systems.
Compliance Concepts:
Understanding of R2T4 (Return of Title IV Funds), SAP (Satisfactory Academic Progress), and 90/10 Rule regulations.
Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)—become a direct stakeholder in our 100% employee-owned college!
Retirement:
401(k) Plan options.
Healthcare & Disability:
Medical (PPO & 2 HDHPs with HSAs), Dental, Vision, Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, and company-paid Basic Life Insurance.
Work-Life & Perks:
Paid Time Off (PTO), Paid Sick Leave, Holiday Pay, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Employee Assistance Program (EAP), Tuition Reimbursement, and Health & Wellness rewards. Equal Opportunity Employer This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
