What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Counselor position at Westminster University?
Westminster University
Financial Aid Counselor
(Full-Time, Benefited)
POSITION SUMMARY:
The Financial Aid Counselor is a member of Westminster University’s Enrollment Management division.
Enrollment Management is a collaborative team committed to providing and supporting services that attract, enroll, and retain students. The Enrollment Management division seeks to offer a student-centered and innovative enrollment experience that supports the University’s strategic priorities.
The Financial Aid Counselor will advise and counsel undergraduate and graduate students and their families on the financial aid application process, aid availability, and financial planning. The counselor evaluates application materials; awards federal, state, and institutional funding; represents the University to students and parents; attends training workshops and conferences; keeps informed of changes to financial aid programs to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies. This role supports student success by working with students to ensure awareness of financial aid programs and requirements to cover tuition costs.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Student Service
- Counsel current and prospective students/families in-person, virtually, or telephone on the financial aid process, aid availability, and financial planning to cover educational costs.
- Conduct confidential, student-specific meetings to ensure information presented is clearly understood while responding to students’ individual questions/concerns.
- Directs students to appropriate resources for applications, forms, disclosures, and other informational resources or websites. Counsel students on proper completion of forms/documents.
- Provide excellent service to both current and prospective students student and their families by presenting a helpful, professional, and positive attitude while communicating effectively in-person, virtually, phone, email, or text.
- Document student interactions in Colleague, Slate, and other systems to maintain historical record of conversations.
Administrative Functions
- Review completed financial aid documents to ensure eligibility requirements are met for grants, scholarships, and loans.
- Reviews student records to ensure any discrepant or conflicting information is appropriately resolved. Review ISIR data to ensure c-codes are appropriately resolved and required verification documentation requested.
- Calculates estimated financial aid offers in accordance with federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations. Award and certify student awards in a timely manner and compliantly in accordance with departmental time frames.
- Collaborate with other departments and provide necessary information to ensure student success and resolution of issues.
- Assist with the continuing student scholarship process, tuition remission, tuition exchange, study abroad, loan processing, Direct Loan reconciliation, state grants, and verification as assigned.
Compliance
- Accurate awarding and certification of federal and institutional aid to include eligibility requirements, verification, and c-code clearance.
- Maintains a working knowledge of pertinent federal regulations and participates in opportunities to update and enhance such knowledge through NASFAA, UHEAA, FSA, or other applicable trainings.
QUALIFICATIONS:
Minimum Qualifications
- B.A. or B.S. degree or other relevant experience
- Ability to adapt to changes in work environment where the workload, speed, and type of work varies throughout the academic year
- Commitment to providing a highly responsive and service-oriented financial aid experience
- Exceptional writing, communication, and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work well with diverse populations in group and individual settings
- Ability to prioritize multiple tasks, demonstrate organizational skills, and meet deadlines
- Ability and willingness to accept constructive feedback in order to improve work performance
- Willingness to stay engaged and aware of national trends in higher education
- Desire to have fun in a professional team setting
- Ability to successfully resolve student issues from request to resolution ensuring a positive student experience
Preferred Qualifications:
- Two (2) or more years of professional experience in financial aid office strongly preferred
- Knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures
Diversity and Inclusion:
Promote an Inclusive Westminster through demonstration of the commitments include in the Westminster University Diversity Statement. Participate in developmental activities to increase understanding and awareness of issues related diversity, equity and Inclusion both individually and as related to my filed of work, profession or discipline.
Equal Employment Opportunity:
Westminster University is committed to a diversified workforce, equal opportunity, and nondiscrimination. To this end, Westminster prohibits any form of discrimination or harassment based on race or ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identification, disabilities, genetic information, status as a veteran, or any other category or classification protected by applicable federal, state, or city laws.
