Financial Aid Counselor II

General Function:

The Financial Aid Counselor, under the direction of the Director of Student Financial Resources provides personal and financial aid application counseling to prospective students, current students, and family members.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

· Counsel prospective students and their families on federal and state aid applications, eligibility issues, verification process, related tax issues, related immigration issues, requirements for continued eligibility, and awarding policies

· Participates in the development of institutional financial aid policies and procedures that will positively impact efficiency and quality of service provided

· Counsel students one-on-one and in groups on financial aid, scholarships, loans, work study employment, financial planning, debt management, and budget development

· Provide in-person, via telephone and/or e-mail counseling; interact with all constituents in a professional and timely manner, exhibiting superior customer service standards

· Articulate timelines to students and parents and explain how financial aid programs coordinate

· Provides support to students experiencing family, personal or economic crises which may impact academic success. Specific focus on working with special needs populations to identify unique needs and coordinate appropriate services

· Assist students with factual data regarding personal budget management, financial planning and other guidance counseling which may affect student academic performance and continued eligibility for assistance

· Counsel students on College’s Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. Encourage students to develop a realistic plan of study to ensure they stay within the rules mandated by SAP

· Handle a high volume of student contact during peak registration periods which requires detailed analysis and effective assessment of student financial and developmental needs in an effective manner, demonstrating good communication skills, organization, versatility, productivity and creativity

· Keep current with federal, state, institutional and departmental regulations and policies. Interpret regulations and exercise professional judgment in the development of solutions to unique student and family situations. Provide input in relation to various office policies and procedures

· Assist prospective and current students with Veteran Educational Benefits up to and including certification of veteran educational benefits.

· Ability to process Return of Title IV funding to Department of Education.

· Oversee the Federal Work Study program to include departmental hiring assistance, hiring paperwork processing and time sheets.

· Take appropriate action if conflicting information or evidence of fraud is discovered. Make corrections to the application and/or ask for additional information as needed and under tight time constraints

· Determines the types and amounts of financial aid to be awarded through the packaging process according to federal, state and institutional requirements. Monitors individual student awards. Resolves data conflicts and over awards

· Support the efforts of Enrollment Management by participating in weekend recruitment events and delivers financial aid presentation to large and small groups for recruitment and retention purposes

· Performs other related tasks as required

Minimum Requirements:

· Bachelor’s degree in Business related field with 1-2 years’ experience in finance

· Ability to work independently while supporting a team effort

· Excellent written and oral communication skills

· Good interpersonal skills

Job Type: Full-time

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person