Financial Aid Counselor

Job Summary:
This position is an integral part of the Office of Financial Aid, providing both processing and operational support to the office. Financial Aid Counselor assists current and prospective students with all aspects of navigating the financial aid process. Works with and counsels assigned new students, current students, part time and graduate program students on financial aid availability and process. Reviews financial aid packages and attends all events requiring financial aid presence. Analyzes and performs need analysis and resolves discrepancies and verifies federal aid applications. Assists the Assistant Directors in administering the Federal, State and Institutional programs.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Counsels full time, prospective, transfer, part time and graduate students in financial aid matters
• Counsels families of prospective and current students in financial aid matters
• Assists in the administration of assigned federal, state, and institutional aid programs
• Packages student populations with appropriate awards based on university awarding policies
• Verifies federal aid applications
• Assists with the certifications of private educational loans
• Attends financial aid events and job-related college functions
• Stays abreast of the financial aid field including related laws and regulations
• Assists with withdraw and graduation process
• Acts as liaison to various departments on campus and coordinate student aid programming as assigned
• Other duties and responsibilities as assigned

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Proficiency in Ellucian Colleague
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office
• Ability to communicate complex concepts effectively to a diverse population
• Ability to present ideas clearly and effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to determine eligibility and processing federal student loans, parent loans and private loans
• Ability to work with diverse populations
• Ability to function as a member of a team and develop relationships at all levels of the organization
• Ability work independently
• Ability to prioritize tasks

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor's Degree required
• Minimum of two (2) years of direct experience
• Experience working in a Financial Aid office

Physical Requirements and Working Conditions:

• Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Occasional travel