Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Counselor reports to the Director of Financial Aid and fulfills a variety of administrative and professional activities designed to serve our student body and meet the strategic enrollment goals of the college. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, counseling students and families, data entry and analytics, researching regulations, reconciling fund balances, evaluating processes and procedures, sending and receiving electronic files and supervising student workers.

Candidates for this position will be evaluated on their demonstrated capacity to think critically, exercise good judgment and work independently.

This full-time position offers the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule after the completion of the training period.

• Works with new and continuing students and their parents regarding the application for and renewal of financial aid as it pertains to accessing enrollment and satisfying their student account balances
• Participates in monitoring financial aid email account and addresses communications accordingly
• Reviews and packages new and continuing students recognizing the difference between consistent administrative functions and unique professional judgment that may be needed case by case
• Reviews and update financial aid forms and web presence

• Collects documentation from students and parents to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines
• Reviews and processes Federal Direct Loan Programs on behalf of eligible students and/or eligible parents
• Submits, receives and reconciles electronic records in administration of federal financial aid programs exercising accuracy and time management skills
• Processes Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations as a result of student withdrawals
• Monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students and reviews and processes appeals and communications
• Manages state grants, confirming eligibility, requesting disbursements from state agencies, responsible for reconciliation and coordinating periodic state audits
• Work with a variety of alternative loan programs and third‑party scholarship agencies to secure funding for students
• Assists with Admission events designed to recruit and yield prospective students
• Designs and delivers financial literacy presentations used to educate new and continuing students, college staff and faculty and/or other community audiences
• Collaborates with appropriate personnel in other college departments including, but not limited to, Academic Advising, Bursar, Registrar and Student Central to carry out financial aid processes and properly advise students

• Supports and assists the Director of Financial Aid in streamlining processes, utilizing technology, assisting in data collection for annual audits and other inquiries
• Researches financial aid regulations to ensure compliance and maintain institutional eligibility
• May supervise student workers
• Accepts that occasional evening and weekend hours may be required
• Performs other duties as requested

• Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills
• Evidence of strong organizational abilities, time management and attention to detail
• High level of logic and superb critical thinking skills
• Seasoned sense of judgment with ability to make professional judgment decisions
• Ability to work often with increased levels of autonomy and independence
• Ability to maintain patience, empathy and understanding while explaining complex processes
• Display a pleasant and outgoing personality and appreciate the importance of student data security
• Remains committed to increasing knowledge and strengthening skills by participating in various trainings, seminars and professional development opportunities on and off campus

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 1‑2 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid required
• Associate degree plus a minimum of 3‑5 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid may be considered
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel…