What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Counselor position at Dillard University?
Dillard University
Division of Enrollment Management
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Job Title: Financial Aid Counselor
Department: Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Reports to: Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships
FSLA Status: Exempt
Prepared by: Denise Spellman
Prepared Date: 08/08/2018
Summary: The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships seeks a Financial Aid Counselor who, as part of a team, will provide direct support to prospective students and current students, Dillard colleagues and the general public related to financial aid and scholarship programs and their related policies.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
- Counsels and advises students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, indebtedness, money and management and financial planning, individualizes information to the particular needs and situation of the student.
- Collects and/or analyzes financial data on students to determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, state and institutional guidelines.
- Maintains a detailed working knowledge of all federal, state and institutional regulations and always remains in compliance
- Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation or information provided by the student.
- Exercises judgment by making adjustment or revisions to costs, contribution, need, or dependency status as exceptions to the prescribed process.
- Perform reconciliation on Federal Student Aid Programs
- Assist with import, export and origination of files and awards
- Certifies Private Loan Applications
- Answers questions, inquiries, or requests from students, parents, or guardians in person or in writing regarding financial aid programs and eligibility.
- Assists in the preparation of and present information regarding federal financial aid, scholarships, employment and grants, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students, various campus groups, high school students, and parents at meetings, group discussions, workshops, and recruitment sessions on or off campus.
- Analyzes various system-generated reports such as grades and enrollment status, SAP or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines.
- Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
- Assists with other financial and activities such as outreach, reporting and monitoring.
- Adhere to Dillard University policies and procedures regarding travel and procurement in the event travel is needed.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the Associate Director and Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships and the Vice President for Enrollment Management
Additional Responsibilities:
- Monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress program and assist with coordinating appeals.
- Maintains state aid programs via state payment website
- Establish and maintain positive interoffice/intercampus relationships as well as develop those relationships with the campus community to foster an environment of trust regarding financial aid and scholarships.
- Work with the Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships and the Vice President for Enrollment Management to develop and foster a spirit of cooperation among staff to accomplish common goals.
- Work with the Associate Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships, Director of Financial Aid & Scholarships and the Vice President for Enrollment Management to develop a system by which to assess and evaluate the effectiveness of all financial aid and scholarship programs.
- Assist with all on campus and off campus programs that impact the proposed yield of enrollment of students. These activities include but are not limited to Open House, Orientation, College Goal Sunday and Financial Literacy programs, etc.
Supervisory Responsibility: This position has no supervisory responsibility.
Qualifications: To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential job duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skills, and/or abilities required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Bachelor’s degree is required.
- Previous knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations preferred.
- Demonstrated skill in writing analytical reports and proposals.
- Must have knowledge of the computer and its operation. Functioning knowledge of computer applications such as MS Office suite required.
- Demonstrated ability to make oral group presentations to explain financial aid process and scholarship search process.
- Demonstrated skill in speaking clearly and distinctly using appropriate vocabulary and grammar to obtain and convey information to individuals at various organizational levels.
- Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse groups of people. Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain cooperative working relationships with other staff members, subordinates, school administrators and officials and representatives.
- Initiative, imagination and organizational skills to assist in the development t of programs and promote the university to various publics (i.e., prospective students and parents, secondary school administrators and teachers, etc.) so as to matriculate a sufficient number of qualified students each year.
- Willingness to acquire and understanding of the Dillard commitment to excellence in education, diversity of the student body, social service, and the liberal arts and sciences traditions. The goals and priorities of a value-centered education must be reflected in any program and presentation.
Additional Desirable Qualifications:
- At least one (1) year of working in a Financial Aid Office
- Experience in the use of personal computers in Financial Aid, Admissions and processing areas including work processing, spreadsheet and database management.
Physical Demands:
- The physical demands here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Must be able to stand and walk for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to carry and transport 40 pounds of materials and/or equipment.
