Wilmington College is a career-oriented liberal arts institution founded by and closely affiliated with the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). Our main campus is located in southern, Ohio. We encourage you to review our website (www.wilmington.edu) and learn about our history, what we are doing today and how we are preparing for tomorrow.

This is a full-time, 12-month administrative position that is responsible for providing in person comprehensive financial aid navigation and admissions and enrollment support to incarcerated Wilmington College students in Lebanon Correctional Institution (LeCI), Warren Correctional Institution (WCI), and Dayton Correctional Institution (DCI).

The Operations Specialist assists Wilmington College PEP staff members and students with admissions applications, registrations, FAFSA applications, and onsite financial aid management. Travel to the Wilmington College campus is also required because this position is a key liaison between the PEP sites and the main campus.

The nature of the work is technical and requires an ability to interpret and work in accordance with federal, state, college, and Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Corrections (ODRC) policies, procedures, and regulations, including FERPA privacy regulations, and to coordinate work between the Wilmington College Financial Aid and Enrollment and Admissions Offices. This position reports directly to the PEP Program Manager; however, the position requires extensive work, support, and training from the Financial Aid and Enrollment and Admissions Offices. This position also works closely with other PEP team members.

This position is responsible for handling sensitive information and applications for financial aid programs and enrollment processes, offering technical support to students, and resolving eligibility issues related to academic progress, identity verification, and income or tax matters. A strong understanding of student eligibility regulations and the ability to assist with the completion of federal (FAFSA) applications are essential. Some evening and weekend hours are required to assist with site and program supervision.

Primary Responsibilities

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Financial Aid Management and Compliance (60%)

• Serving as primary liaison to the Wilmington College main campus, Lebanon Correctional Institution, Warren Correctional Institution, and Dayton Correctional Institution for financial aid students, maintaining strong working relationships with ODRC staff, and Wilmington College PEP team members
• Assisting students (individually and in groups) as directed by the Assistant Director of Financial Aid with the completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other financial aid documents for PEP students at LeCI, WCI, and DCI
• Offering comprehensive and accurate technical support onsite to students and the PEP team and resolving complex eligibility issues, including guidance on FAFSA application corrections and updates
• Working with the Wilmington College Financial Aid Office to assist students with completing documentation of citizenship and identity verification, and tax verification to complete FAFSA corrections, including retrieving appropriate financial aid documentation from students’ family members, spouses, guardians, or others
• Working with the Financial Aid staff and directors to resolve student issues, complaints, and exceptions for unusual circumstances as allowed by federal and state regulations for Pell Grant-related incarcerated student activities
• Collaborating with Financial Aid and Enrollment Directors and/or their designees to develop and implement procedures based on program changes and regulatory updates
• Assisting with the notification of Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) and process for students who failed to meet SAP standards
• Notifying students when they are on financial aid probation or warning and, when necessary, working with academic advisors to create an academic plan to return to good standing
• Maintaining a comprehensive understanding of eligibility requirements for all aid programs administered by the Wilmington College Financial Aid Office, including assisting students with the financial aid appeal process
• Training and advising PEP staff on managing sensitive financial aid files (such as FAFSAs), as well as on fulfilling requests for financial aid documents and observing all privacy and FERPA rules and regulations