Job Details

Job Title:
Financial Aid Counselor, Front End

Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible, under the supervision of the Associate Director, for counseling and advising students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs. The Financial Aid Counselor will conduct student need analysis, perform federal verifications and packaging of student aid, certify federal loan eligibility, provide financial aid counseling, make professional judgment decisions regarding student aid eligibility and facilitate problem solving with students and parents while ensuring compliance with federal regulations. Incumbents in this job classification will interact with specific external departments and outside agencies to coordinate and facilitate the processes for students' eligibility regarding scholarships.

Full Job Description:

Job Description

• Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents regarding all aspects of financial aid processes. Makes necessary referrals to other student services offices.
• Effectively communicates to students, parents, and other constituents the details of all major financial aid applications and programs (including but not limited to regulatory requirements).
• Counsels prospective and enrolled students on all aspects of financial aid, to include financial management and budgeting practices, as appropriate.
• Maintains knowledge of federal and state regulations, and university policies related to financial aid programs to ensure the proper processing and documentation of awards.
• Maintains knowledge of all scholarship program criteria and federal regulations and University policies related to financial aid programs and establishes administrative procedures to ensure the proper processing and documentation of scholarships.
• Manage private scholarship programs, including developing a positive liaison relationship with the students and organizations.
• Create, publicize and collect (if applicable) application materials.
• Maintains scholarship website.
• Coordinates the awarding of all undergraduate scholarships.
• Coordinates the awarding of graduate scholarships, as applicable.
• Coordinates the internal awarding and disbursement of undergraduate scholarships and other institutionally funded programs with appropriate departments and the schools within the University.
• Accurately performs verification of federal financial aid application data in accordance with federal regulations.
• Make corrections to the student's Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and financial aid package when applicable due to verification.
• Comments on the student file for discrepant data and seeks resolution from the student either through mailings, e-mails, or phone calls.
• Research applicable U.S. Department of Education directive and/or Internal Revenue Service publications for the proper handling and resolution of student files.
• Assist in form creation/updating to collect required information.
• Reviews and updates student communication plans within Campus Logic and in addition, external student communication.
• Assist in aid year set-up for verification to interpret Federal Regulations and translate into queries to be used in Banner.
• Collaborate and train with the Counseling area to ensure a smooth verification process and seek ways to improve the student's experience while still adhering to federal regulations.
• Oversees the development and maintenance of sections of the office Policies and Procedures Manual related to verification and scholarship awarding.
• Assist as needed with customer service operations to include phone and email response and promote an atmosphere of excellent customer service for students primarily, as well as our other various publics, in person, telephones, and emails, as applicable and appropriate.
• Participates in office outreach events to include planning and presenting financial aid workshops, seminars, etc. which may be outside of traditional office hours and/or out of town.
• Provides Student Employment support as needed (i.e. I-9 verifications, job board assistance and confirming FWS eligibility)
• Performs other duties and projects as assigned

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher learning and (2) years of experience working in financial aid or higher education preferred.
• Working knowledge of Title IV regulations.
• Strong command of the English language, both verbally and written.
• Public presentation skills, and willingness to utilize such skills.
• Strong interpersonal and customer service skills with an ability to advise students.
• Detail and goal oriented with excellent organizational skills that enable one to organize and prioritize multiple complex projects and tasks simultaneously.
• Technical skills including intermediate to advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, spreadsheet, document and email applications, and database management including use of automated financial aid systems, preferably Ellucian Banner system.
• Ability to think creatively and strategically.
• Ability to spend extended periods of productive time conducting business on the telephone and/or utilizing a computer keyboard while viewing the computer screen.
• Must be able to obtain and retain user access to the National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS), i.e., may not be in default on any student loans or owe repayment of any federal or state grants.
• Understanding of and commitment to USF's Vision, Mission and Values.