Financial Aid Counselor - Revised (45254)

Overview

Claflin University is searching a Financial Aid Counselor works under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid. Assumes responsibility for counseling students (including the adult learner) and parents regarding the financial aid process, over-awards, need analysis, and budgeting. The Financial Aid Counselor manages a caseload of approximately 400 students. Responsible for the federal verifications process, determination of eligibility, and making financial aid awards. Responsible for the determining eligibility for state grants and scholarships for students within caseload. Manage some institutional scholarship programs. Performs any other duties within the scope of this position.

Responsibilities

REVISED

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Confer with individuals via phone, in-person, and email to disseminate accurate information and answer questions related to federal and state financial aid eligibility, the application process, loan counseling, alternative financing, and institutional payment plans to students

(prospective and enrolled) and their parents. Use established departmental, federal, and state guidelines to advise and counsel students, and/or prospective students in solving their educational financial problems through scholarships, loans, grants, student employment and financial counseling. Interpret and explain the College's financial aid policies and procedures. Discuss eligibility criteria for various financial aid programs with students. Inform students if they are not eligible for financial aid programs. Pay close attention to detail assuring students complete the proper applications, documents, forms, and reading materials for the specific award year. Assist students in filling out and reviewing applications and supporting documentation for completeness and accuracy. Collect certain verification documents (tax returns, verification worksheets) from the student (and student's parents in some cases) to determine eligibility requirements. Compare and evaluate data including student's and parent's income and assets, household size, number in college, untaxed income, investments and business assets and debts listed on student's verification documents to the Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy and conflicting information. Inform students of missing or conflicting verification information. Resolve Student Aid Report (SAR) Comment Codes. Submit Student Aid Report (SAR) corrections for compliance issues under prescribed federal guidelines and regulations. Set up cost of attendance budget and enter financial aid program awards to eligible recipients in Colleague through the specific controls of program policy and guidelines. Advise students on terms, conditions, requirements, and limitations of awards. Process student's request for adjustments to their financial aid awards such as canceling all awards, decreasing, or increasing their loans, and accepting or declining federal work-study. Adjust aid awards due to enrollment changes, receipt of other aid, or other circumstances that cause the student's entitled award amount to change. Periodically review student records for accuracy, status checks, and quality control efforts. Will assist Financial Aid Counselors. Research student financial aid history on the National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS) and Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) Websites to correctly answer student's questions regarding financial aid. Manage difficult or emotional student situations and respond promptly to their needs while maintaining self-control. Focusing on solving conflict, not blaming. Maintain confidentiality of students and their records as prescribed through FERPA. Assist in covering the front desk area as needed. Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications

Qualifications

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES REQUIRED

• Bachelors degree in Business Administration, Accounting, or a related discipline is preferred however, additional years of qualifying experience may be substituted for the required education.

• Two (2) years experience in higher education

• Knowledge of student financial aid programs and their rules, regulations, and eligibility requirements.

• Knowledge of current IRS tax forms, regulations and the implications of such regulations on financial aid in areas such as tax return filing status, income earned from work, and tax paid.

• Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and methods including computers and applicable software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets, and databases.

• Skill in identifying student needs and assisting students in locating financial alternatives.

• Skill in researching regulatory information using the FSA Handbook and other sources found on the Information for Financial Aid Professionals (IFAP) website to aid in resolving complex financial aid questions.

• Must have excellent attention for detail.

• Analyze and verify a variety of financial data to evaluate student's ability to pay for education.

• Effective contemporary customer service and receptionist skills.

• Effective oral and written communication skills.

• Ability to effectively deescalate any potential of a difficult, angry, or emotional situations with students and/or parents.

• Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain confidentiality regarding critical and sensitive information, records, and reports.

• Ability to plan, organize and prioritize work to meet schedules and timelines.

• Ability to respond to difficult inquiries and requests from students regarding financial aid options and programs.

• Ability to provide financial counseling and information for completing the necessary application forms and reports.