Program Assistant, Financial Aid

Heartland Community College

Normal, IL

JOB DETAILS
SALARY
SKILLS
Annuities, Co-Payments, Communication Skills, Compensation and Benefits, Data Entry, Diversity, Financial Administration, Financial Aid, Fitness, Health Insurance, Interpersonal Skills, Loans, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft Office, Microsoft Outlook, Microsoft Word, Operations, Operations Processes, Payroll Tax, Peoplesoft, Presentation/Verbal Skills, Public Transport, Recreation, Regulatory Compliance, Regulatory Requirements, Scholarship, Student Financial Services, Student Services, Writing Skills
LOCATION
Normal, IL
POSTED
3 days ago

Program Assistant, Financial Aid

Salary

$21.03 Hourly

Location

1500 West Raab Road, Normal, IL

Job Type

Full-time

Unit

Enrollment and Student Services

Division/Department

Enrollment Services

Opening Date

07/01/2026

  • Description
  • Benefits

Description

We seek applicants for a full-time position to assist with daily operations and administrative processes in Financial Aid, with an emphasis on supporting the annual awarding of scholarships, including all promotion and selection processes.

General responsibilities include, but are not limited to

  • Provide telephone and front desk reception in a courteous and professional manner for the Financial Aid Office. Monitor incoming email. Give information and route inquiries as appropriate.
  • Assist in processing institutional scholarships, including the promotion, selection, and awarding processes
  • Advise prospective and current students/parents regarding financial aid programs, application, policy, and eligibility, elevating discussions to other Financial Aid staff as appropriate. Assist students in the completion of the FAFSA application as needed.
  • Coordinate data entry of financial aid documents into PeopleSoft and other systems
  • Work cooperatively within Enrollment Services and across the College to resolve individual student financial aid situations
  • Assist in processing Federal Direct Stafford and Plus Loans in compliance with regulations set forth by the U.S. Department of Education

Requirements

  • Associate degree or appropriate experience/education
  • Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively and inclusively with diverse populations of students and families, employees, and the public
  • Excellent judgment and discretion in dealing with confidential financial matters, and the ability to handle difficult situations

Desired Qualifications

  • Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, such as Word, Excel, and Outlook
  • Financial aid experience
  • Community college experience
  • Familiarity with PeopleSoft administrative software

Applications received by July 17, 2026 will receive priority consideration, with review of applications continuing as needed.

THIS POSITION IS BASED IN CENTRAL ILLINOIS AND ABILITY TO BE PRESENT ON-CAMPUS/IN-PERSON IS REQUIRED.

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa at this time.

Heartland Community College is an equal opportunity institution.

HCC values equity, diversity and inclusion. We create a collegial and welcoming culture by taking collective responsibility in the creation, protection, and enhancement of an equitable, diverse, and inclusive campus community.

EMPLOYEE LEAVE

Vacation: 20 days (160 hours) per year with a maximum annual carry-over of 40 days (320 hours); Accrual of 6.16 hours will be granted on the last day of each pay period

Sick Leave: 12 days (96 hours) per year with unlimited annual carry-over; 12 days (96 hours) granted on start date; Beginning on the first anniversary, accrual of 3.70 hours will be granted on the last day of each pay period

Volunteer Leave: 1 day (8 hours) per year with no annual carry-over; 8 hours granted on start date, then annually granted on January 1

Special Leave: Available by approval for bereavement, emergencies, and legal requirements

Parental Leave: 4 weeks (160 hours) for qualifying events, once per 12-month rolling period

Holidays: 12 designated paid holidays, plus 3 paid Floating Holidays (24 hours); Floating Holidays granted on start date, then annually granted on the anniversary date. HCC is closed from Christmas Eve Day through New Year's Day generally resulting in additional paid days. The College is closed on Election Day (Presidential Election years only)

EMPLOYEE INSURANCE COVERAGES

Eligibility begins the first day of the month following or coinciding with the date of employment.

Medical Insurance: HSA & Copay Plan Options - Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Choice Network

HSA Plans

  • $4,000 Tier 1 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

  • $5,000 Tier 2 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

  • $7,000 Out-of-Network Deductible: Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 50%

Copay Plans

  • $3,000 Tier 1 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

  • $4,000 Tier 2 Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

  • $5,000 Out-of-Network Deductible: Employee coverage paid 96.5%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Dental Insurance: Delta Dental

Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Vision Insurance: VSP

Employee coverage paid 100%; dependent coverage paid 45%

Life Insurance: Sun Life

Term life insurance equal to twice the annual base salary

Optional Insurances: Sun Life

Accident; Critical Illness; Hospital Indemnity; Long-term Disability; Voluntary Life

RETIREMENT BENEFITS

Retirement System: State Universities Retirement System (SURS) - choice of Traditional, Portable, or Retirement Savings Plan with 8% pre-tax payroll deduction

Retirement Health Insurance Plan: College Insurance Program (CIP) - Health insurance for SURS retirees with 1% pre-tax payroll deduction

Savings Plan: SURS Deferred Compensation Plan (DCP) 457(b) - Automatic enrollment with 3% pre-tax payroll deduction. Ability to opt out within 30 days of hire

Tax-sheltered Annuity Plan: 403(b) plan permitting voluntary salary reductions within IRS rules

OTHER BENEFITS

Flexible Spending Plan: Section 125 Plan permitting voluntary salary reductions to pay for eligible healthcare and childcare expenses using tax-free dollars within IRS rules

Health Savings Account: Tax-advantaged account available to HSA participants only to pay for qualified healthcare expenses. The College provides monthly contributions for eligible employees: $50 for single coverage, $100 for employee +spouse coverage, $100 for employee +child(ren) coverage, $200 for family coverage

Tuition Waiver: HCC tuition waiver for employee and dependents and HCC Continuing Education course fee waiver for employee

Tuition Reimbursement: Tuition reimbursement for employee for up to $3,500 per fiscal year

Employee Assistance Program (EAP): Counseling and referral service for employee and dependents

Employee Identification Card: Access to HCC Fitness and Recreation Center, HCC Library, and Bloomington-Normal Public Transit System (Connect Transit)

Sick Leave Bank

Long-Term Remote Work: With approval, up to 2 days (16 hours) remote work per week, after a minimum of 5 months in position

Long-Term Alternate Work Schedule: With approval, compressed workweek or flex work schedule, after a minimum of 5 months in position

Flexible Summer Work Schedule: With approval

Summer Service Hours: Most College operations close on Fridays at noon, typically beginning the Friday following June 1st and concluding on August 1st; full-time employees will work a 36-hour work week while receiving pay for 40 hours

Benefits listed are subject to change. Specific benefits may be dependent upon employment classification, duration of employment, full-time or part-time work status, etc.

Employer Heartland Community College

Address 1500 W. Raab Road

Normal, Illinois, 61761

Phone (309) 268-8130

Website http://www.heartland.edu

About the Company

H

Heartland Community College