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Financial Aid Counselor

Employer
Fort Lewis College
Location
Colorado, United States
Salary
Salary Not Specified
Date posted
Apr 1, 2022
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

Degree
  • Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university (earned by position start date) 

(The anticipated start date for this position is flexible and is ideally between May 2nd and May 31, 2022).

Experience
  • Providing customer service to students and/or families  
  • Interacting with a culturally and ethnically diverse population of students and/or families  
Abilities 
  • Problem-solving   
  • Conflict resolution 
  • Multi-tasking 
  • Analysis and interpretation of federal, state, and institutional regulations 
  • Operate various computer systems 
Skills 
  • Customer service    
  • Advising/counseling  
  • Written and interpersonal communication, and public speaking  
  • Organized, detailed oriented 
  • Microsoft Excel and Microsoft Word 
  • 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 
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
  • Managing work-study program, which includes: fund management, ensuring hourly pay and federal requirements related to work-study funds are met, the development, notification, and data entry of work-study contracts, tracking and updating of job descriptions, collaborating with Human Resource department and Payroll department on student employment, which includes trouble shooting time sheet issues with students and/or supervisors.   
  • Collaborating with Controller’s Office on a regular basis to balance all work-study program funds 
  • Processes all merit scholarships and adjusts student aid as needed, including renewals and cancellations. 
  • Assists Associate Director as the financial aid liaison between Fort Lewis College and external scholarships partners, including but not limited to: Colorado Gear-Up, Daniels Fund, Gates, and Denver Scholarship Program. Processes awards, completes reporting requirements, and attends trainings/information sessions as needed  
  • Reviews National Student Loan Data System (NSLDS) discrepancy report on a weekly basis  
  • Assist with ensuring that information on the office website, forms, and printed publications, are accurate and updated and that federal regulations are being met 
  • Updates paper financial aid forms as necessary for each aid year  
  • Processes Dependent and Employee Tuition Reduction benefit forms 
  • Manages Footprints ticket software by routing tickets to the appropriate counselor 
  • 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  
  • Processes summer financial aid requests which requires calculating summer aid, producing and mailing summer award letters, and modifying awards as needed 
  • Conducts transfer monitoring processes weekly  
  • Manages virtual fax machine and routes/scans faxes to appropriate counselor 
  • Manages Footprints ticket software by routing tickets to appropriate counselor 
  • 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  
  • 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 
  • Process Tech rental requests  
  • 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.  
  • Ability to sit at a computer terminal for an extended period of time. 
Compensation

The salary is $41,000, plus a comprehensive benefits package .


Application Process
A complete application packet includes:
  • Cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the 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 by April 17, 2022, will receive full consideration. The position will remain open until filled.

The anticipated start date for this position is flexible and is ideally between May 2nd and May 31, 2022

The successful candidate will be required to submit original, official college transcripts, and pass a background check.

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