Financial Aid Counselor

Position Summary 

The Financial Aid Counselor serves as part of a team of Financial Aid Counselors that provide instruction and counseling to parents and students regarding student financial aid policies and procedures. Financial aid counseling covers federal, state, institutional and private regulations and guidelines that govern the administration of financial aid. The regulations are complex and constantly changing; therefore, there is substantial ambiguity that requires the counselor to utilize a broad array of reference and resource information to ensure accurate and in-depth information. This position requires an understanding of a wide variety of information from multiple sources and offices to provide quality counseling and advising.  

Minimum Qualifications 

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university   
• Experience advising students and providing exceptional customer service to students and/or families   
• Effective oral and written communication skills   

• Ability to work collaboratively as part of a team in an everchanging environment   
• Proficient computer skills, especially in the use of Excel   
• Demonstrated ability to problem solve and resolve conflict   
• Proven ability to analyze and interpret federal, state, and institutional regulations   
• Must not be in default on a Federal Direct Loan or owe an overpayment on federal grant funds with the U.S. Department of Education  

• A demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities  

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience working in Higher Education, preferably in departments within Enrollment Management or Financial Aid   
• Experience with Banner and/or higher education software programs (i.e. ARGOS, AcademicWorks, Perceptive)   
• Knowledge of IRS tax regulations regarding individual federal tax returns   

• Experience working with scholarship programs and outside scholarship agencies  

Major Responsibilities 

• Corresponds with prospective, new, and continuing students, and parents, as well as other department personnel about financial aid, via telephone, texting, email or in person   
• Provides direct financial aid counseling and instruction to current and prospective students and parents about all aspects of financial aid processes   
• Processes verification paperwork on students in caseload, which includes reviewing tax documents and other paperwork received to ensure that it meets Federal Aid and IRS requirements and resolving all conflicting information  

• Processes requests for reconsideration of merit award   
• Keeps current with U.S. Department of Education regulations to improve aid applications and methods of processing  
• Scans all processed paperwork into imaging software, as well as maintains organized records  
• Maintains desk procedural manuals, specifically related to job duties   
• Assists with on and off campus financial aid events, as needed   

• Represents themselves, the office, and the college in a positive and professional manner to all students, families, and personnel on and off campus   
• Attends in-person and/or on-line professional development opportunities as requested by Director   
• Maintains a broad working knowledge of all financial aid procedures to serve as backup processor to essential functions as needed.   
• Processes all institutional and foundation scholarships, excluding athletics and adjusts student aid as needed, including renewals and cancellations.  
• Serves as the chair of the Foundation Scholarship Selection Committee working closely with the Foundation Office and institutional departments.  

• Maintains the AcademicWorks software used in awarding and managing foundation and departmental scholarships.  
• Reviews National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) discrepancy report on a weekly basis   
• Assists with maintaining Financial Aid Office website  
• Updates paper financial aid forms as necessary for each aid year   
• Performs quality control reviews on all summer aid eligibility calculations    

• Processes Dependent and Employee Tuition Reduction benefit forms   
• Reviews National Clearinghouse error reports and submits corrections on NSLDS   
• Manages Federal Pell grant program, which includes originating and reporting Pell grant disbursements, monthly account balancing, Pell Lifetime Limit reports, and keeping abreast of all Pell processing procedures   
• Conducts transfer monitoring processes weekly   
• Demonstrates a commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and student success, as well as working with broadly diverse communities  

• Maintains knowledge and awareness of digital accessibility including the American with Disabilities Act and Section 508.  
• Produces and remediates digitally accessible materials in accordance with FLC standards.  
• Perform other duties as assigned  

Work Conditions 

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that an employee can expect while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

• Moderate noise (i.e. business office with computers, phone, and printers). Walls do not go all the way to ceiling, so offices are not private and noise from other offices can be heard.   

Compensation  

Salary is between $37,000 to $41,000 plus a comprehensive benefits package.  

 
Application Process 
A complete application packet includes: 

• Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for position 

• Include details regarding how your personal and professional experiences allow you to encourage a learning environment grounded in equity and inclusion.  “How do you envision contributing to Fort Lewis College’s commitment to equity and inclusion?” 

• Resume 
• Names and contact information for three current, professional references 

Submit materials as one PDF file via email to: 

        fac-search@fortlewis.edu 

Application materials received on or before January 10, 2021,  will receive full consideration. 

Position will remain open until filled. 

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts,  

and pass a background check. 

The College and the Community  

Fort Lewis College, a public institution located in Durango, Colorado, offers degree programs in arts, business, education, health fields, humanities, social and natural sciences, and teacher education. Our inspiring mountain campus is located atop a scenic mesa overlooking historic Durango and situated between the San Juan Mountains and the desert Southwest. We are committed to accessible and high-quality baccalaureate education, and our hallmarks are remarkably close relationships between students and faculty, the freedom of intellectual exploration, and the challenge of experiential learning. Our 3,300 students come from 48 states, 17 countries, with 36% Native American and Alaska Native backgrounds, and 11% Hispanic backgrounds. Durango is a thriving multicultural community of 18,500 set along the beautiful Animas River Valley. Averaging 300 sunny days per year, the community is known for its outdoor lifestyle and friendly, festive atmosphere. Durango is also the cultural and economic hub of the Four Corners region, rich in dining, shopping, and entertainment, and linked with airline service to hubs in Denver, Phoenix, and Dallas. 

Equal Opportunity   

Fort Lewis College does not discriminate on the basis of race, age, color, religion, national origin, sex*, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, family or domestic status, political beliefs, veteran status, pregnancy, or genetic information. Accordingly, equal opportunity for employment shall be extended to all persons. The College shall promote equal opportunity, equal treatment, and affirmative action efforts to increase the diversity of students, faculty, and staff. The College is dedicated to building a culturally diverse and pluralistic faculty and staff committed to teaching and working in a multicultural environment.  

To file a report, get resources, read policies, or make an appointment, See www.fortlewis.edu/CARE.  

Questions about Title IX sex discrimination?  

Office of the Title 9 Coordinator  

Molly Wieser  

230 Skyhawk Station  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7241 wieser_m@fortlewis.edu  

Other discrimination questions?   

Office of the Equal Opportunity Coordinator  

David Pirrone  

192 Education Business Hall  

1000 Rim Drive  

Durango, Colorado 81301  

(970) 247-7182 djpirrone@fortlewis.edu  

  * Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and Part 106 of the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex, including in admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and CFR 106 to Fort Lewis College may be directed to FLC's Title IX Coordinator and/or to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education.  

ADAA Accommodations  

Any person with a disability as defined by the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) may be provided a reasonable accommodation upon request to enable the person to complete an employment assessment. To request an accommodation, please contact Kristin Polens by phone 970-247-7459 or email kpolens@fortlewis.edu at least five business days before the assessment date to allow us to evaluate your request and prepare for the accommodation. You may be asked to provide additional information, including medical documentation, regarding functional limitations and type of accommodation needed. Please ensure that you have this information available well in advance of the assessment date.