Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Services Coordinator

Provides financial aid services to prospective and currently enrolled students.

Receives supervision from the Director of Financial Aid.

Exercises no supervision.

Provides interested individuals with accurate information regarding financial aid programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes; interprets and explains the College's financial aid policies and procedures to students.

Establishes rapport with prospective and current students through face-to-face and virtual visits, telephone interactions, and email interactions.

Processes financial aid transcripts; checks applications for completeness; determines eligibility for federal, state, and private funds; calculates awards; reviews award amounts for accuracy.

Reviews documents as they arrive; logs documents and adds to student files; processes and packages financial aid awards including federal Pell grants and scholarships.

Communicates with students notifying them of incomplete or missing information in their files; sends award letters and grant confirmation notifications, sends financial aid transcripts to various institutions, as requested.

Reconciles federal Pell grant and recovery accounts and federal supplementary grant expenditures; issues clearances and distributes checks to students.

Monitors academic probation and academic program developments.

Coordinates the certification of Veterans Affairs (VA) benefits, certifies VA schedules, ensures compliance with VA processes.

Prepares and maintains a variety of reports, records, and logs beneficial to tracking the enrollment goals of the College.

Represents the College at a variety of recruitment events and activities both on- and off-campus; participates, as needed, in campus tours and follow-ups.

Enters accurate student information into a variety of the College's databases and programs.

Attends and participates in professional group meetings and conferences; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the fields of college admissions and academic advising.

Provides excellent customer service to students and employees.

Performs other duties as assigned.

Education:

A baccalaureate degree (or higher) from an accredited college or university is required. Degrees in accounting, finance, business, student development, or a related field are preferred.

Experience:

At least two years of responsible student interaction in college financial aid counseling is preferred. Experience with enterprise resource planning (ERP) and/or customer relationship management (CRM) software is preferred. Previous military experience is a plus. Candidates should display effective oral and written communication skills.

Knowledge of:
Community college mission, policies, and procedures. Community college student services including financial aid. Curriculum and continuing education program of study requirements/standards. Basic data analysis, statistics, mathematics, accounting, and reporting skills. Database fundamentals and certain computer application (spreadsheet, word processing) fundamentals. Intervention strategies and techniques related to student support programs and student retention efforts. Federal and state tax law. Pertinent federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations.

Strategies and techniques for establishing accountability.

Ability to:
Interact regularly and professionally with prospective and current students and colleagues. Communicate clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing. Work effectively in a team environment. Handle conflict in a professional manner. Develop and document procedures and processes. Access and/or enter information into ERP and CRM software. Maintain a high level of confidentiality. Prepare clear and concise reports. Identify/analyze issues, problems, concerns, and needs.

Develop, plan, and implement appropriate responses and solutions. Research, analyze, and evaluate new service delivery methods and techniques. Interpret and apply federal, state, and local policies, laws, and regulations. Effectively handle a work environment and conditions which involve periodically working irregular hours.

All advertised positions are contingent upon available funding.

All employees are paid by direct deposit only.

The majority of work is conducted in an office environment. The position may periodically require work at irregular hours, including nights and weekends.

The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing, viewing a computer screen, and/or extensive reading.

Essential and other important responsibilities and duties may require maintaining physical condition necessary for walking, standing, or sitting for prolonged periods of time.