Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

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Job Title:
Financial Aid Counselor

Job Family:
Professionals

Full-Time/Part-Time:
Full time

Compensation Grade:
5S

Pay Type:
Salary

Department:
Financial Aid

Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor, under the direction of the Director of Financial Aid, is responsible for the advising of financial aid, including awarding of federal, state, local, private and institutional aid to students. The Financial Aid Counselor must stay informed of current financial aid policies and regulations in order for proper awarding and disbursement of financial aid.

Job Description:

Position Specific Responsibilities

• Research and interpret student financial aid program guidelines including but not limited to those in the Federal Register, student aid handbooks, and training manuals to ensure compliance with federal and state regulations and program requirements.
• Meet with students and parents concerning student loan process and deadlines for applying for aid according to established procedures, assists in completing the required forms. Provide friendly and knowledgeable assistance with applicants throughout the process. Advise student and parents of loan requirements and processes. Give clear and concise directions about awarding to students and how the process of allocating funds to their account occurs.
• Process loan files and corrections on a timely basis with accuracy within PowerFAIDS, ELM and Common Origination Disbursement (COD). Award loans to student accounts and adjust awards as needed. Continue to work as a team member to back up for PowerFaids and EDConnect processing when others are not available.
• Manage PowerFAIDS processing responsibilities related to loan files and COD, ELM and EDConnect processing as needed.
• Counsel students concerning satisfactory academic progress, withdrawals, and enrollment plans when related to all federal aid.
• Counsel students regarding their grade point average requirements and the effects of any dropped, failed or withdrawals on their federal aid eligibility.
• Identify issues in loan processing. Process and troubleshoot problems related to student loan eligibility and disbursement. Reports such as over awards, rejected originations, validation errors etc. Processing issues are resolved and student eligibility is addressed and student notified of any changes to student aid packages.
• Reconcile federal aid programs, loans, Pell, and SEOG, monthly. Ensure the funds received from Department of Education match the disbursed funds in PowerFAIDS and Workday.
• Reconcile alternative loan programs monthly. Ensure the funds received through ELM match the disbursed funds in PowerFAIDS and Workday.
• Guide current and former students in student loan repayment plans and assist in rehabilitation programs for defaulted loans. Assist students in determining proper payment plan to help them avoid default. Guide and help process consolidations or rehabilitation plans that allow students to regain eligibility for federal aid programs.
• Operate all financial aid software programs. Perform data entry and processing.
• Review, analyze, and package student awards according to institutional, state, and federal requirements as it pertains to all financial aid funds.
• Understand and articulate the student aid awarding process.
• Advise current and prospective students, parents, and other interested persons about financial aid programs and requirements.
• Conduct financial aid workshops and training sessions.
• Be available to travel and work a flexible schedule as needed to assist in institutional effectiveness.
• Analyze and evaluate the results of need analysis to accurately determine maximum financial need and aid eligibility for students.
• Stay abreast of conditions that affect financial aid eligibility.
• Participate in national, regional, and state conferences pertaining to student financial aid programs, practices, and related technology and communicate any information that may be needed by other Furman University departments.
• Other duties as assigned.

Preferred Qualifications

• A bachelor's degree
• One to three years recent professional experience in financial aid at an institution of higher education.
• Experience in operating PowerFAIDS
• Experience with financial aid administration or related area.
• Demonstrated ability to read, understand, and interpret state and federal rules and regulations including income tax information.
• Demonstrated understanding of basic accounting and business practices.
• Demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks, work independently, and take initiatives.
• Demonstrated strong customer service skills in combination with attention to detail and tasks.

Education Requirements:

Certification Requirements:

Job Posting End Date (if date is blank, posting is open ended):


To apply, visit https://furman.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Furman_Careers/job/Main-Campus/Financial-Aid-Counselor_R001393

Furman is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to increasing the diversity of its faculty and staff. The University aspires to create a community of people representing a multiplicity of identities including gender, race, religion, spiritual belief, sexual orientation, geographic origin, socioeconomic background, ideology, world view, and varied abilities. Domestic partners of employees are eligible for comprehensive benefits.

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