Job Description

Under the direction of the Assistant Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor must provide quality customer service to prospective, and continuing students regarding financial aid eligibility, analyze federal financial aid applications to determine a student's financial need, prepare and award financial aid packages, and perform all duties related to the financial aid process. Counselors must interact in a professional manner with students and parents in challenging situations to help them resolve financial issues relating to financial aid eligibility and monetary awards.

Duties and Responsibilities

Advise students and parents regarding financing an education at the University, including students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, available financial aid programs, costs and financial management strategies including loans, financing options, and other financial-aid related matters. Manage heavy contact with students and families via email, phone, and in-person. Provide outstanding customer service, while demonstrating patience and understanding, to families and students who are seeking and receive financial aid. Work effectively in a diverse work environment with people from different socio-economic backgrounds and cultures. Must be able to maintain confidentiality of private, personal information provided by students and their families. Manages a student caseload and reviews student applications for accuracy to determine financial need and award aid in accordance with applicable federal, State, and University regulations. Create student award packages utilizing various software programs and federal, State, and University resources. Maintain compliance with all federal and state regulations and the internal policies and procedures of the University. Responsible for processing financial aid application materials, Verifications, and corrections. Verifies accuracy of documents and consistency of financial aid data, federal tax returns, financial aid verification documents, and student information. Performs analysis to identify discrepancies in data and determines action for resolution, completing the verification process, and generating award notifications or denying aid if ineligible. Exercises professional judgment, assists with processing financial aid appeals, special circumstances and dependency overrides. Counsels and advises students concerning Satisfactory Academic Progress policies and appeal procedures, monitors the probation/suspension status and the 150%-time frame for students. Utilize databases to gather student information and create and modify awards. Enter and maintain accurate data within computerized systems for tracking and awarding. Prepare and maintain a variety of narrative and statistical reports, records, and files related to assigned activities. Serves as subject matter expert and responsible for the administration of specific federal, state, and/or College aid program, such as: Federal Grant and Loan Processing and Data Systems Transmission Participate in recruitment and retention functions, including evening and weekend hours (new student orientations, registration nights, Admitted Student days, Open house, Move-In Day etc).