Financial Aid Counselor

Lincoln University Position Description

Job Title:          Financial Aid Counselor

Classification: Professional

Division:          Enrollment Management   

Department:    Financial Aid

Reports to:       Director of Financial Aid

FLSA:               Salaried, Exempt

JOB SUMMARY:

Reporting to the Associate Director and  Director of Financial Aid, the financial aid Counselor within a centralized financial aid services environment, evaluates, approves, and awards financial aid to students in accordance with federal, state, and university regulations, policies, and operating guidelines. 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES

• Utilizing federal, state and university regulations, the financial aid Counselor provides high-level support and serves as the first point of contact for students and parents to review the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Application (FAFSA) received via Electronic Data Exchange (EDE) software to download Institutional Student Information Records (ISIR).

• Analyzes and evaluates the financial needs of students using federal, state guidelines, federal work study (FWS), Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), Pell Grant (PELL), Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA); and internal and external scholarship opportunities.

• Reviews and evaluates required additional external financial documentation in order verify and package financial aid awards in accordance with established federal guidelines.

• Advise students and parents about Title IV eligibility and responsibilities associated with financial aid programs; interprets and explains policies, application procedures and availability of funding from various sources.

• Verifies and analyzes computer reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with established federal, state and university requirements to reconcile financial and statistical data on student records; and resolves problems related to overpayments and incorrect disbursements.

• Analyzes information received from the Common Origination and Loan Disbursement (COD) system to assess electronic data received on loan applications using the federal Title IV software system; disseminates information to students on the loan application process and default management plan and loan policy.

• Identifies and resolves problems related to effective delivery of financial aid; coordinates activities and communication with other campus internal and external stakeholders as well as state and federal agencies by researching national student financial aid history data via the U.S. Department of Education National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS); and uses NSLDS to record financial aid overpayments.

• Monitors satisfactory academic progress (SAP) of financial aid and loan recipients, in accordance with appropriate Federal, State and local regulations and guidelines.

• Participates in the compilation of data for State and Federal reports, including A-133 and FISAP; provides and presents oral and written special projects and reports as requested.

• Trains and provides direction to student workers and other personnel; conducts financial aid and/or loan workshops on/off campus and other outreach programs with various community organizations and high schools.

• Provides financial literacy education to students and families about smart borrowing, loan default and repayment; reconciles Pell Grant Reports; transmits Pell Grant payment information electronically to U.S Department of Education via electronic transmission.

• Maintains current knowledge of financial aid program changes in governmental regulations and procedures, software and eligibility requirements by attending meetings, workshops and State and regional conferences.

• Performs other related duties as required. 

Work is primarily performed in a university campus environment and requires a flexible schedule including evening and weekend work. Travel for administrative work is expected. The employee is subject to inside environmental conditions: protection from weather conditions but not necessarily from temperature changes.

QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent.

• Demonstrated Knowledge of financial aid systems and processes. 

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to multi-task and prioritize based on office needs and student satisfaction

• Demonstrated knowledge of the following technological programs as related to Title IV regulations and  financial aid awarding:  Pennsylvania State Grant (PHEAA); Federal Central Processing Systems (CPS); 

• Common Origination and Loan Disbursement (COD); Colleague Student Information Systems (SIS); National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS); Colleague, 

• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with people from varied social, educational, and economic backgrounds.

• Demonstrated ability to work without constant supervision, make decisions, and have good judgment.

• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks and projects and prioritize based on departmental functionality.

• Must be detail oriented with the ability to organize.

• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.

• Must have a high level of professional appearance and demeanor.