Classified, Program Coordinator, Financial Aid

About The College

Whatcom Community College (WCC) is a public associate and applied baccalaureate degree granting institution with an accomplished faculty and staff who serve 7,604 students annually on its beautiful 72-acre campus in Bellingham, Washington.

Whatcom offers transfer degrees, applied baccalaureate degrees, professional and technical training programs, basic education, job skills, and community and continuing education classes. Programs and courses are offered through in-person, hybrid, and online modalities to promote access for a diverse student population.

The College is committed to equal opportunity and believes diversity of experiences and cultures enrich our campus community. The College is accredited by The Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. For more information about WCC, please visit www.whatcom.edu

About Our Community

Whatcom's campus is located in Bellingham (population 95,960). Bellingham showcases a strong commitment to education and is regularly rated on "best of the Northwest" lists. Bellingham is midway between Seattle, WA and Vancouver, B.C. Canada.

The city is surrounded by the rural landscape of Whatcom County (population 226,850), which is home to a thriving network of farms and scenic wilderness. As you explore our community, you'll discover historic neighborhoods, waterfront cities, farmlands and mountain towns all within a few dozen miles of each other. Bellingham and Whatcom County are known for their outdoor activities. Whether your idea of fun is visiting galleries, watching live theater, kayaking, hiking, snowboarding, or unwinding with a good book, you'll love Bellingham and Whatcom County. To learn more about Bellingham, please visit:

General Description of Work

Position Title: Program Coordinator, Financial Aid

Classification: WFSE Classified

FTE: 1.0 (may vary, consult job posting)

Schedule: 40 hours/week, Monday-Friday 8 AM-5 PM. Occasional evening work may be required and scheduled in advance.

FLSA Status: Overtime Eligible

Job Summary

Coordinates and administers financial aid programs in support of student access and success, ensuring compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations. Interprets policies, reviews student eligibility, and oversees awarding and disbursement processes to ensure accuracy, timeliness, and regulatory adherence. Analyzes program data, prepares required reports, and supports system integrity and reconciliation activities. Serves as a primary resource for students, staff, and stakeholders, providing guidance on financial aid programs and processes.

Reporting Structure/Supervisory Relationship

• This position reports to the Director for Financial Aid.

Responsibilities

Essential Functions

• Coordinates and administers financial aid programs, ensuring effective service delivery and alignment with institutional and regulatory requirements.
• Develops, implements, and maintains program procedures, workflows, and internal controls to support efficient operations.
• Interprets and applies federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and policies, ensuring ongoing compliance.
• Reviews and determines student eligibility for financial aid, including verification, need analysis, and professional judgment decisions.
• Monitors program compliance, identifies risks, and implements corrective actions in response to audits, reviews, and regulatory changes.
• Analyzes program data, identifies trends and discrepancies, and prepares required reports for institutional, state, and federal entities.
• Coordinates with systems and technology staff to maintain financial aid systems and ensures data integrity across platforms.
• Serves as a primary point of contact for students, families, and stakeholders, providing guidance on financial aid programs and processes.
• Collaborates with campus partners to ensure integrated service delivery and support student success initiatives.
• Trains and provides guidance to staff on financial aid policies, procedures, and complex case resolution.
• Performs other related work of a similar nature and level.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, including Title IV programs, and the ability to interpret and apply policies to ensure compliance.
• Knowledge of financial aid processes, systems, and need analysis methodologies, and the ability to administer student eligibility and awarding functions.
• Ability to review, analyze, and evaluate complex student financial aid records and resolve discrepancies using sound judgment.
• Skill in analyzing data, identifying trends, and preparing accurate reports to support program evaluation and decision-making.
• Ability to coordinate multiple program functions, prioritize workload, and meet deadlines in a high-volume environment.
• Skill in communicating effectively, both orally and in writing, with diverse populations including students, families, and staff.
• Ability to collaborate with cross-functional teams and build effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders.
• The ability to actively contribute to a work and learning environment that treats everyone with respect and dignity, while engaging diverse perspectives, backgrounds and experiences to enhance the College's mission, vision, and promise.

Working Conditions/Environment

• Work Setting: Work primarily performed in indoor office setting/workstation. Navigate across campus to other buildings as needed for meetings.
• Tools and Equipment: Standard office equipment required.
• Frequent interaction with students, employees, and the public as the office is open during business hours.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• High school graduation or equivalent.
• Two years of experience in financial aid services, student services, or related administrative program area.

OR

• Equivalent combination education and experience sufficient for the person to perform the duties.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bilingual or multilingual abilities that support effective communication with diverse student populations.
• Experience working in a community college environment, with an understanding of open-access missions and diverse student populations.
• Experience developing clear, consistent, and ADA-accessible forms, communications, and documentation.
• Experience administering federal and state financial aid programs, including Title IV compliance and reporting.
• Experience using financial aid and student information systems (e.g., ctcLink/PeopleSoft or similar ERP systems).
• The ability to take action to learn and grow.
• The ability to take action to meet the needs of others.

Salary

Salary:

• This is a full-time, classified, WFSE (Washington Federation of State Employees) represented position. Salary is Range 41, starting at Step C, $3,840.00 per month with periodic increments to $4,771.00 per month.

Benefits Package:

• The position comes with a full benefit package, including health, dental, life, long-term disability insurance and a retirement plan.
• Accrues 8 hours per month of sick leave and 11.33 hours per month vacation leave with periodic vacation accrual increases based on longevity.
• 11 paid holidays annually.
• 1 personal holiday annually after 4 months of continuous employment.
• 3 personal leave days annually after 4 months of continuous employment.
• Additionally, as a Washington State, public higher education institution, WCC offers the following:
• Whatcom Community College is a qualified employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program (PSLF). If you work for the College full time, have had Direct Loans and are on an eligible repayment plan, you are eligible to apply.
• Full-time employees are eligible to apply and participate in the Whatcom Community College Employee Tuition Program, which provides a tuition waiver for available and eligible WCC courses.
• Full-time employees may qualify for Washington State Paid Family Medical Leave (PFML) benefit.

Start Date:

• As soon as can be arranged with the successful candidate.

Application Due Date:

• Applications are due by Wednesday, June 3rd, 2026, at 5:00 pm.

How To Apply

A completed application consists of an online application and:

• Cover letter detailing relevant experience and how the applicant is prepared to meet the duties of the position.
• Current resume.
• Values statement that responds to the following prompt:

Short Reflection (1 page max): One of the core values of this institution is building an inclusive and supportive campus. This core value is reflected in our strategic plan, goals and in the work that we do every day. Please describe your experience in building an inclusive environment that supports a sense of belonging.

Mission, Vision & Promise

Mission: Whatcom Community College contributes to the vitality of its communities by providing quality education in academic transfer, professional-technical, and lifelong learning, preparing students for active citizenship in a global society.

Vision: Whatcom is a supportive community, empowering lives through education.

Promise: We transform lives through education. We accomplish this by supporting student growth, respecting student investment, embracing diversity, promoting excellence and creating opportunities.

EEO Statement

Whatcom Community College values diversity and is an Equal Opportunity Employer and Educator. WCC provides equal opportunity in education and employment and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, perceived or actual physical or mental disability, pregnancy, genetic information, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, creed, religion, or honorably discharged veteran or military status, or the use of trained guide dog or service animal in its programs and activities. Prohibited sex discrimination includes sexual harassment (unwelcome sexual conduct of various types). As of October 1st, 2020 as per RCW 28B.112.080 WCC will be requiring all finalists for positions to complete a Declaration Regarding Sexual Misconduct. WCC provides reasonable accommodations for qualified students, employees, and applicants with disabilities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and Federal Rehabilitation Act. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the non-discrimination policies: Executive Director for Human Resources, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, .... For Title IX compliance, contact: Title IX Coordinator, 237 W. Kellogg Road, Bellingham, WA 98226, .... WCC publications are available in alternate formats upon request by contacting the Access and Disability Services Office at ...; VP .... Whatcom Community College is a smoke-free/drug free environment.

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