Financial Aid Counselor
Posting Title: Financial Aid Counselor
Overview:
The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for the overall program administration of one or more institutional and or federal aid programs or processes. He or she manages a predefined caseload of undergraduate and graduate financial aid applicants and recipients and ensures that the information provided to students is in compliance with Federal, State and University policies and regulations.
We are a dynamic office that is transformational. Managing an environment that balances the art of customer service with the science of federal regulations will allow the candidate to be innovative, using critical thinking and integrity to best serve the university community.
There are three positions open. The projected salary or hourly pay range for this position which represents the full range of anticipated compensation is: $48,300 - $55,000.
Responsibilities:
- Responsible for the overall program administration of one or more institutional and or federal aid programs or processes.
- Manages their assigned caseload through a queue system.
- Reviews existing policies and procedures for area(s) of responsibility to assure compliance with relevant regulations and when appropriate proposes recommendations for policy changes and procedural improvements.
- Perform duties of Counselor on Call on designated days/time.
- Collects and/or analyzes financial data on students to determine aid eligibility and make awards according to federal, state, donor and/or institutional guidelines.
- Reviews student applications and financial documentation and performs verification procedures.
- Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstances documentation or appeal information provided by the student and or parent; exercises professional judgment by making adjustment or revisions to cost, contributions, need or dependency status, SAP status, as exceptions to the prescribed process and/or policy.
- Analyze various system generated reports such as Enrollment Credit Audit, Authorization and Disbursement report, Over-award audit, to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal, state and institutional guidelines; notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
- Assists with other financial aid activities such as outreach, retention, reporting and monitoring.
- Prepares documents for imaging to support compliance, record retention and workflow.
- Other duties as directed.
Qualifications:
Bachelor’s degree and a minimum of one (1) years of experience in student personnel administration (student work, work study or internship experience included), preferably in financial aid or college admissions. In lieu of a Bachelor's degree, a High School diploma/G.E.D. equivalent and four (4) years of experience in a financial aid office in higher ed.will be considered. Experience must include work with a student population with an understanding and respect for diversity and first generation college-bound students. Working knowledge of Title IV regulations and federal financial aid needs analysis is strongly preferred.
Working knowledge of COD and NSLDS is preferred. Bi-lingual is strongly desired.
Experience with public speaking to include presentations is preferred. Working knowledge of Microsoft Word and Excel.Experience using a student information system (PeopleSoft preferred) is required.