Financial Aid Counselor

Description

The Division of Enrollment Management represents the Offices of Enrollment Management, Undergraduate Admissions, Financial Aid and Scholarships and the University Registrar. These key functional offices support the campus goals to recruit, retain and provide a first-in-class education to the most talented students, regardless of background.

The Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships is a key contributor to student success and student access in higher education, administering all types of financial assistance for eligible students demonstrating financial need, academic merit, and/or other merit factor(s). This includes, but is not limited to scholarships, grants, loans, and/or work-study awards.

Working independently under general supervision, the Financial Aid Counselor applies a broad understanding of student aid program practices and policies to determine appropriate allocation of aid awards, authorize exceptions. Provides individual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues in an accurate, timely, professional, and courteous manner, including explaining and interpreting government and university rules and regulations concerning all areas of student financial assistance to students, parents, university colleagues and the general public.

Analyzes regulation and participates in the development of the UCI Financial Aid Office policy and procedure for administering Financial Aid from federal, state, university, and outside sources.

Percent of Time: 35% Conducts financial aid award needs analysis for undergraduate, graduate and professional degree students (financial data, family circumstances, social background, academic status, educational goals) and applies knowledge of federal, state, University, and outside agency laws, regulations, and policies to determine students' eligibility for various types of financial aid. Identifies available resources and unmet needs to determine appropriate allocation of federal, state and/or institutional aid as well as campus scholarship awards for individual students

Percent of Time: 35% Provides individual in-person or virtual counseling on non-routine, sensitive aid issues. Exercises professional judgment to authorize changes in financial aid award based on updates, corrections or special circumstances. Provides referrals to other UCI departments (e.g. UCI Basic Needs Hub) or off-campus agencies (e.g. Social Services) when necessary.

Percent of Time: 10% Coordinates with other UC departments to implement and evaluate student-focused activities, programs, and services (e.g education abroad programs). Advises UCI departments and employees on existing financial aid procedures, resources, and options available. Recommends changes in financial aid policy or procedures to benefit specific student groups (e.g. students with disabilities).

Percent of Time: 10% Reconciles large volumes of student data from multiple sources (e.g. campus financial aid systems, Financial Services: Student Billing System, California Student Aid Commission web system). Identifies and resolves mismatches and errors. Identifies and implements database elements, queries, and reports needed to monitor aid programs. Analyzes reports to resolve  problems. Analyzes financial aid system exception reports of students whose aid packages could not be handled by automated programming and determines/executes action needed to resolve issues and complete aid allocations for these students.

Percent of Time: 5% Coordinates, implements, evaluates, and reports on UC, campus, government, and/or agency programs. Maintains working knowledge of and interprets regulations and develops or recommends procedures to ensure compliance and accurate aid delivery.

Percent of Time: 5% Additional duties as assigned to support the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships.

• Working knowledge of policies, regulations, and practices for awarding financial aid; specialized knowledge of particular programs.
• Working knowledge of University policies, processes, and procedures.
• Working knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.
• Ability to interpret policies and develop procedures to ensure compliance.
• Problem identification, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills; judgment and decision-making ability.
• Ability to calculate financial aid with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills. Active listening skills. Possesses strong customer service orientation skills.
• Strong ability to assess processes and implement improvements. Thorough interpersonal skills.
• Strong proficiency with standard office software as well as internet and email applications. Working knowledge of common University/financial aid-specific computer application programs.
• Experience using complex…