The Financial Aid Counselor provides outstanding customer service to all constituents and guides prospects, applicants, and enrolled students regarding financial aid opportunities. Evaluates financial aid applications for eligibility and determines aid package while ensuring institution is compliant with federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies. Provides support to the Director and Associate Director of Financial Aid.

Provide outstanding customer service to all constituents (i.e., prospects, applicants, students, coworkers, outside agencies).

Maintain confidentiality and high ethical standards adhering to the NASFAA Code of Conduct.

Maintain thorough understanding of all federal (use of IFAP site), state and institutional regulations or policies governing financial aid and operation of the financial aid office. Maintain access to and understanding of federal systems (CPS, NSLDS, COD).

Maintain a thorough working knowledge of any financial aid management system, accounts receivable or registration system in use and participate in development and revision of office procedures.

Counsel accepted applicants and current or former students (whether in person, by phone or by email) regarding financial aid process, missing application information, required consumer information, financial planning, and debt management.

Import, review, and update, if required, federal and institutional applications for aid, including review of NSLDS aggregate loan data, in order to confirm student eligibility and work with students to resolve any issues.

Screen and nominate recipients for state grants, institutional scholarships and loans, subject to approval by Director and/or Institutional Scholarship Committee as required.

Voting member of Institutional Scholarship Committee.

Complete certifications for private educational loans and/or scholarships from outside agencies.

Counsel and assist students with emergency loan requests; may approve loans up to $500.

Assist with packaging of aid (including state and institutional scholarships) and notification to students of awards, next steps and clearing students for disbursement (i.e., pre-matriculation requirements, etc.).

Review requests for budget increases for eligibility, appropriate documentation and provide counseling to student on budgeting.

Assist with development of and presentation at all student events (i.e., interview days, open houses, loan entrance and exit counseling, financial planning seminars and debt management programs).

Provide Financial Aid Counseling items to Office Coordinator for inclusion on office calendar.

Assist with review and maintenance of EVMS website utilizing T4 system, plasma screen announcements, etc.

Assist with monitoring monthly reports of delinquent student loan borrowers. Locate (skip trace if necessary) and communicate in writing and by telephone with former students to assist/counsel them to avoid default.

Assist, as required, in gathering information needed for federal, state, and institutional financial aid reports.

Participate in off-site federal, national, regional and/or state training annually (5% or less travel).

Working knowledge and cross training for other positions within the office.

Other duties as assigned by the FA Director and FA Associate Director.

Bachelors degree (or equivalent experience) plus two (2) years of relevant experience in financial aid regulations, policies, and coordination of student aid programs.

Proficient in Microsoft Office with emphasis in EXCEL. Must be able to obtain clearance for National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) access within 60 days of employment which requires no default on federal financial aid and maintain access throughout employment. Familiarity with FSA Systems such as CPS, COD, EdConnect, and EdExpress. Ability to conduct internet based research on financial aid topics. Knowledge of federal financial aid regulations, needs analysis, and packaging principles. Knowledge or experience with Anthology Student (CNS) or similar financial aid management system.