Financial Aid Counselor II

Position Title

Financial Aid Counselor II

Position Overview & Job Duties

Receive, review, and process financial aid requests, documents, and notices from departments, colleges, and students; may include database data entry and verification and mathematical calculations. Provide consultation to internal and external constituents regarding basic financial aid application completion and award process inquiries. Update, correct, or cancel student financial aid award accounts; responsible for the creation, tracking and maintenance of student financial aid files (electronic and hardcopy). Review and assist with the reconciliation of award accounts and the dissemination of award notices. Create and distribute financial aid award reports to various internal and external constituents or agencies for review.

• Coordinate UCO, and Third-Party Servicer Default Management program resources, and activities related to student financial literacy, and prevention of student loan defaults.
• Coordinate Direct Loan Exit Loan Counseling information mailing for students no longer halftime, and those who have withdrawn or graduated from UCO.
• Track and report borrowers who were assigned to the treatment gro up and control group per requirements as a UCO participant of the Department of Education Loan Counseling Experiment.
• Process student aid information and Award Adjustments that require need analysis, verification, repackaging, and loan processing.
• Reviews and reconciles weekly exception reports to ensure compliance of federal guidelines.
• Works directly with Data Processing in validating aid applications and resolving loan issues.
• Responds to student and parent inquiries regarding technical financial aid information.
• Participates in Financial Aid Seminars upon request from high schools, outside agencies, and campus departments.
• Performs other related duties as assigned.

Experience Required:

Bachelor’s degree in job related field plus 3+ years of work experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.

Experience Preferred:

Experience working in Federal Student Financial Aid. Intermediate level of experience with computer operations and Microsoft Office Excel. Post-secondary Education in Accounting or Business. Work experience with student accounts and general accounting methods, including account reconciliation.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

Ability to work independently with minimal supervision and be a self-starter with problem-solving skills. Ability to effectively express ideas, instructions, and concepts; Ability to speak and write effectively and clearly. Excellent interpersonal relationship skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, students, parents, and loan servicers. Demonstrates good human relation skills to establish and foster good relationships with university employees, students, parents, and loan servicers. Ability to keep a positive attitude during stressful situations and keep up with multiple projects.

Physical Demands:

Reasonable accommodations (in accordance with ADA requirements) may be made, upon request, to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions .