Senior Financial Aid Counselor

Full Time San Diego, CA, US

Salary Range: $28.00 To $32.00 Hourly

Report To: Director of Financial Aid

Job Type: Full-Time, Exempt

The New School of Architecture & Design’s team seeks a qualified Senior Financial Aid Advisor. The Senior Financial Aid Counselor is an onsite position at our Downtown San Diego campus.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor supports the mission of the College and the Office of Student Financial Aid by ensuring the delivery of financial assistance for all students. We seek a candidate who can demonstrate knowledge of federal financial aid regulations experience, provide high-quality counseling services, and perform public speaking and outreach functions as needed;
This position Performs daily operations for processing financial aid and special programs as assigned by the supervisor, awards, and makes decisions concerning student eligibility for assistance and other administrative services task and reports to the Director of Financial Aid.

• Manage a dedicated caseload, providing students and their families with individualized counseling in all aspects of the financial aid process, including verification, alternative financing, and responsible debt management.
• Provideregularoutreachandfollow-uptostudentsonoutstandingitemssuchasincompleteormissingloanapplications,financial aid forms,andotherdocumentsrequired for packaging.
• Determine financial aid eligibility of students based on institutional, state, and federal regulations; prepare detailed financial aid packages and award letters andcertifystudentloanapplications.
• Perform regular file reviews to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations; adjuststudentaidpackagesandadjustfundsbasedonchangestostudents'enrollment statuses.
• Review all pertinent internal and external data and reports to ensure aid is being processed timely and accurately, including,butnotlimitedto, registration reports, ISIRs, and transfer credit evaluations.
• Exercise discretion and demonstrate strong professional judgment when making decisions in special orcomplexcircumstances;seekassistancefromthe
  
  Director and,when appropriate,providerecommendationsto bestresolvethesecases.
• Remaincurrentonallinstitutional,state,andfederalregulations;participateinregulartrainingandprofessional development on bestpracticesto ensure compliance.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid Planning at college-wide events, including Open Houses, Accepted Students'Days,studentregistrationevents, and orientations.
• Assistthe Directorwithother projectsasneeded.

• Bachelor's degree required with a minimum of three years’ experience in higher education.
• Two years’ experience working as a Financial Aid Counselor required.
• Knowledge of financial aid management systems and/or student information systems.
• Strong interpersonal skills, including the ability to cultivate and manage relationships with students and their families; also, must demonstrate strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented, with the ability to self-manage multiple projects while working under deadlinesduringthe year's peak times.