Position Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor I is primarily responsible for awarding, counseling and verifying students through the financial aid process. The Financial Aid Counselor also works with the Deans from different colleges to administer their departmental scholarship awards and will be assigned to one or two schools as their primary focus. 

The Financial Aid Counselor I reports to the Associate Director for Financial Aid and is a member of the Financial Aid department in the Student Financial Services area of Enrollment Services.

Minimum Qualifications

• A minimum of one year of experience with financial aid including financial aid processing, student loan processing, student account management or related financial aid functions.
  
• Working knowledge of the Banner Financial Aid Management system is a plus.
  
• Incumbent must be in good standing with all federal student loans and federal grants.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• A high school diploma or equivalent is required.
• A bachelor’s degree is preferred.

Job Duties

• Demonstrate an attitude and behavior that reflects the values and mission of the department and University.
• Meet with prospective and returning students and their parents to discuss the financial aid processes and other programs; counsel students through the financial aid process and assist with completion of all required documents.
• Acquire and maintain a familiarity and working knowledge of financial aid and the continuous changes of the federal regulations regarding financial aid and the title four programs. Remain current and knowledgeable of federal and state regulations relating to student loans, verification and application processes, as well as other areas of financial aid.
• Understand and maintain current working knowledge of the practice of FERPA regulations regarding the student information.
• Provide professional customer service to students, parents, staff and faculty in person and on the phone.
• Review student's data as files become complete. Verify all documentation in student's application as outlined in the Student Federal Aid Handbook and the information on the Student Aid Report.
• Review and send written and/or email correspondence to student if there are discrepancies or if additional information is needed.
• Responsible for responding to email correspondence sent to the Financial Aid Office’s general email account.
• Review transcripts for Satisfactory Academic Progress for incoming transfers students to the university.
• Package students within a specific assigned portion of the alphabet range as well as the administration of the Nursing school scholarship allocation as their applications become complete in accordance with state, federal, and institutional guidelines. Employee is responsible for students in all levels to include undergraduate, graduate, law, DNP and PHD.
• Acquire and maintain an in-depth working knowledge of current University tuition, fee housing and board structures and how it relates to a student’s financial aid package and student aid.
• Assist in resolving disputes or problems from students, parents or other University departments involving a student’s account in an effective and equitable manner in order to benefit both the student and the University.
  Present financial aid information to transfer students that attend the daily general financial aid presentations.
• Attend recruitment events on behalf of the Financial Aid Office (Stars 101, S.A.C.E program open houses, web chats, music auditions, etc.).
• Responsible for processing emergency loans at the beginning of each term. Post scholarship awards to students' accounts that have been awarded through university policy and process, ensuring students meet criteria for each award.
• Work closely with the Enrollment Services, Student Accounts and Registrars in rectifying student issues and concerns.
• Assist with updating brochures, forms and procedures for the office as needed.

Other duties as assigned.


NOTE: While in training, the Financial Aid Counselor will be assessed to identify what areas of financial aid are strengths, and as those are identified, additional responsibilities and challenges will be assigned to create a full and robust job assignment.