Job Description
The Financial Aid Department is seeking applicants for a Financial Aid Counselor position. The primary purpose of this position is to assist in the recruitment and retention of students within the framework of the College’s philosophical and financial parameters while providing counseling, financial resources, and an overview of financing options to students and their families.
Job Duties
Perform the packaging of financial aid applications for prospective and returning students (populations to be assigned by the Director of Financial Aid), including performing verification, making professional judgment decisions, monitoring academic progress, determining eligibility for all federal, state, and institutional aid programs based on needs analysis
criteria, and making financial aid award offers.
Advise students/parents on financial aid application procedures and available funding; counsel prospective and enrolled students on aspects of financial management and budgeting practices.
Administer and monitor Institutional, federal, and State financial aid programs for the College.
Perform monthly Quality Assurance checks.
Provide financial aid information through presentations (open houses, orientation programs, scholarship receptions, and other on and off-campus College events).
Manage the federal student loan and private loan programs.
Perform weekly/monthly loan reconciliation.
Provide in-person exit counseling sessions to graduating seniors.
Develop/implement a loan default prevention plan and provide financial literacy information.
Disseminate to student loan borrowers annual loan information.
Work daily with the financial aid software system (PowerFAIDS), Jenzebar, COD, ELMOne, NSLDS, and Microsoft Excel.
Stay knowledgeable of Title IV regulations and have the requirements of the Pennsylvania state grant program.
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s Degree and one – three years of experience in financial aid; or equivalent combination of education and two- three years related experience.
Strong student-based counseling proficiency and service preferred.
Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
Strong, student-based counseling proficiency.
Strong organizational skills.
Comprehensive understanding of Federal Title IV regulations and Federal Title IV financial aid processing systems (COD, NSLDS, etc.).
Excellent team player, and an ability to work collaboratively; demonstrate flexibility and ability to accept change.
Preferred Qualifications
Proficient experience using Powerfaids, Jenzabar and Slate strongly preferred.