Financial Aid Counselor

Job Title : Financial Aid Counselor Department / Office Financial Aid Location : Main Campus- Argyle Reports To : Director of Financial Aid FSLA Exempt Salary Position Type : Full time Job Description Job Purpose : The candidate will provide guidance to students, parents, and prospective students regarding financial aid and other pertinent financial counseling, make recommendations on awarding policies and procedures to meet the College’s enrollment goals and compliance;

and will participate in various activities promoting professional development. Responsibilities :

• Serves as the primary point of contact for current and prospective students
• Counsels and advises students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs, and indebtedness
• Individualizes information to the particular needs and situations of the student
• Uses clear and understandable communication with students, parents, and potential students regarding financial aid counseling
• Assists students with estimating their educational expenses to calculate their needs for the year, and preparing a financial plan
• Oversees the packaging of federal grants, federal loans, and scholarships
• Conducts verification review for selected students according to federal regulations
• Responsible for awarding, disbursing, and reconciliation of state aid
• Reviews and ensures student aid awards are accurate for designated advising group
• Notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation
• Uses enhanced internal and external communication systems to inform students and parents about financial aid awards and the department’s policies and procedures
• Ensures compliance with all financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations when reviewing financial aid applications;

exercise judgment when interpreting federal and state regulations for specific student situations

• Maintains professional connections in state and national financial aid organizations
• Participates in presentations of financial aid-related issues
• Assists the director of financial aid in reviews and reports to ensure compliance of the department with regulations
• Assists team members when necessary to enable the success of the department.
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV awards and regulations as well as FERPA.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Job Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience in an area with a focus in finance or counseling.
• One to three years of financial aid experience.
• Exceptional customer service
• Exceptional oral and written communication skills. Must be able to communicate sensitive and / or complex information in a confidential and straightforward manner
• Must be a creative problem solver. Must have the ability to data mine to extract data to support opinions and / or resolutions
• Proficient user of Microsoft Office and experienced in financial database systems
• Must possess a high level of accuracy, self-motivation, strong attention to detail, and the ability to handle a heavy workload
• Familiarity with academic environment, policies, and procedures
• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously
• Demonstrated service aptitude and ability to work independently as well as with students, parents, and colleagues.
• Must be bilingual and able to read, write and speak Spanish proficiently
30+ days ago