What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Counselor position at Otterbein University?
Location : Westerville, OH
Job Type : Support Staff
Job Number : 00399
Division : Enrollment Management
Department : Financial Aid
Opening Date : 02 / 13 / 2025
DESCRIPTION
Job Title : Senior Financial Aid Counselor
Job Class : Support Staff
Department : Financial Aid
Reports to : Senior Associate Director of Financial Aid
FLSA status : Full-time / non-exempt
Otterbein University is in search of a Financial Aid Counselor who works under the supervision of the Associate Director, whose responsibilities entail calculating eligibility and processing student financial aid, works collaboratively with Admissions, Student Accounts, Registrar, and other pertinent offices to provide accurate, holistic service; provides first contact educational customer service to students and parents seeking financial assistance; and performs the following duties :
JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES include the following. Other duties may be assigned.
- 40%) Provides service to students and families by reviewing and revising awards, monitoring documents received, completing verification, monitoring new transactions, communicating when additional information is needed; serves on rotating schedule the duties of the Counselor of the Day (COD) including answering incoming calls, managing the FA inbox and meeting with families upon request; assists loan specialist with loan origination and file processing during peak periods; Maintain current knowledge federal, state and institutional changes in regulations and laws; Conducts outreach programs both on and off campus as needed; acts a liaison with the Adult, Transfer and Graduate Admissions offices;
35%) Each member of the SFA team is assigned areas that are their primary responsibility. These areas include but are not limited to Return to Title IV, Federal Work Study, Endowment management, Special Circumstances, Veterans benefits, State reporting and Loan processing.
20%) Serve as back up COD for other counselors when schedule conflicts arise. Give presentations on campus an at local high schools about the financial aid process. Some evening and weekend work is required for events supporting the College's mission.
5%) Other duties as assigned; serves on University committees.
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES : N / A
QUALIFICATIONS
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE : A bachelor's degree is required and a minimum of two (2) years of financial aid experience is preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : N / A
QUALIFICATIONS : To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and / or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
EDUCATION and / or EXPERIENCE : A bachelor's degree is required and a minimum of two (2) years of financial aid experience is preferred.
CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS : N / A
LANGUAGE SKILLS : Must demonstrate professional level oral and written communications skills including grammar.
MATHEMATICAL SKILLS : Must be competent in general math.
TECHNICAL SKILLS : Must have knowledge of financial aid programs and services, federal and state regulations. Strong computer skills are required.
CORE COMPETENCIES : Able to work will with diverse staff, faculty, students, family and community members and other influencers; gains trust and respect of team members by demonstrating commitment to getting the job done while achieving results; actively participates in discussions, asks questions, and offers thoughtful insight and feedback; looks for opportunities to improve and reinvent processes that are dated; considers and understands their role and purpose in the broader context of the university; demonstrates professional basics of transparency, honesty, and clarity of thought when interacting with others in oral or written communication; ensures that one's work, as well as others, are complete and accurate while being prepared for daily work schedules and commitment; demonstrates openness and flexibility when dealing with others and promotes cooperation and a welcoming environment for all; takes personal responsibility for the quality and timeliness of work, management of resources, prioritization and achieves results with little oversight.
REASONING ABILITY : Must possess excellent attention to details; must be a team player and interact collegially with co-workers and other constituencies; be student centered and willing to meet with families.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS : The physical demands described 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.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is frequently required to talk or hear, sit, reach and use repetitive motions of hands and wrists. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, stoop or bend. The employee must occasionally lift and / or carry up to 20 pounds and occasionally push and / or pull up to 20 pounds. This position requires close vision. Must be able to meet regular and predictable attendance standards.
WORK ENVIRONMENT : The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
Duties are performed in an environmentally controlled office setting.
SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
This description is intended to indicate the kinds of tasks and levels of work difficulty that will be required of positions that will be given this title and shall not be construed as declaring what the specific duties and responsibilities of any particular position shall be. It is not intended to limit or in any way modify the right of any supervisor to assign, direct and control the work of employees under supervision. The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind of level of difficulty.
Otterbein University is an Equal Opportunity Educator and Employer.
Otterbein University is committed to providing a welcoming environment free from unlawful discrimination. To this end, the University prohibits any form of discrimination against any person on the basis of race, color, sex, gender, pregnancy, religion, creed, marital status, partnership status, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, disability, military status, or any other legally protected status in its programs and activities. However, the University's commitment to a nondiscriminatory environment is not intended to abridge unduly its commitment to academic freedom, free speech, or its educational mission. Inquiries or complaints regarding any form of discrimination or harassment may be directed to : Human Resources
To help attract a talented team, Otterbein offers a comprehensive benefits package to full-time faculty and staff.
Benefits at Otterbein include :
ABOUT OTTERBEIN UNIVERSITY :
ABOUT OTTERBEIN CAREERS and BENEFITS :
