Senior Financial Student Aid Counselor

Summary

The Senior Financial Student Aid Counselor is responsible for counseling and advising students on the various financial aid programs, assists with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluate financial aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collects data and maintains accurate records.

This position will offer the flexibility of a hybrid work arrangement.

Job Duties

• Administers financial aid programs, which include Federal loan programs, Work-Study programs, institutional scholarships, and other financial aid programs.
• Awards and adjusts financial aid in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy.
• Performs Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations as mandated by the United States Department of Education.
• Provides accurate financial aid counseling and guidance to students regarding various financial aid programs and assists with the financial aid application process.
• Provides 1 on 1 debt counseling to federal student loan borrowers by TEAMS and in person.
• Participates in new student orientation, open houses, financial aid presentations, etc. Requires occasional public speaking and weekend or evening work.
• Collaborates with colleagues in the Registrar’s Office, Student Account Services, Institutional Advancement, Finance, and schools/programs to meet students’ needs.
• Reviews federal tax information and other confidential financial documents to determine financial need and eligibility for federal and institutional programs. Perform federal verification, resolve conflicting information, exercise professional judgement in making determinations.
• Ensures optimal use of financial aid funds by awarding funds from the various college-controlled programs to students in accordance with established federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Promotes financial literacy by making group presentations which explain the various financial aid programs, associated application processes, debt management and repayment
• Assists in the preparation of required statistical reports for loans, scholarships, work study, and other financial programs by collecting data and keeping accurate records on programs administered by the Financial Aid Office.
• Analyze various system generated reports and take action as needed to ensure timely awarding and disbursement of student financial aid.
• Reconciles awarded scholarship funds on a monthly basis with data provided by Advancement and Accounting.
• Coordinates and monitors federal loan awarding and disbursement, including reconciliation and return to Title IV.
• Carefully monitors budget and spending to prevent over awards and discrepancies with financial aid awards
• Oversees and assists in monitoring work-study positions and placement of students, ensure compliance with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulation.
• Oversees and assists in monitoring all facets of the work-study process, including payroll, work authorization, job descriptions, off campus contracts and timesheets.
• Demonstrates sensitivity to individual financial/family issues that may affect financial aid eligibility while respecting privacy and maintaining confidentiality.
• Assist with annual setup of Jenzabar for financial aid (e.g., student budgets, scholarship budgets, etc.),
• Other job duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field. Four years of related experience may substitute for degree requirement.
• Four years of relevant experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel.