Financial Aid Advisor

Zane State College; Zanesville (OH); On-site; USD 42,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Health plan options (medical, dental,视

HSA/FSA

Employee Assistance Program

Life and long-term disability

Retirement savings plans

Generous paid time off

4 day work week

Job summary

Zane State College is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to assist students, staff, and the public in obtaining and maintaining financial aid. You will advise on eligibility, applications, and compliance, while supporting enrollment success.

The role involves managing FAFSA verification, SAP appeals, and interfacing with the Jenzabar system; strong people skills and attention to detail are essential for success in this role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, higher education, or a related field required.
• Demonstrated experience working in higher education or closely related field is required.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; including Word, and Excel is required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and time management skills are imperative.
• Experience in financial aid is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and support to students, parents, and the public seeking financial aid. Communicate information on programs, applications, verification, procedures, and eligibility.
• Oversee and manage federal databases and import official student records; evaluate aid applications for completeness.
• Intervene and problem solve for students navigating the financial aid process; review special circumstance appeals.
• Oversee SAP eligibility, communicate status, track appeals, and chair SAP appeals decisions.
• Maintain knowledge of federal/state/college regulations; assist with data audits and policy updates.
• Oversee compliance with federal consumer information regulations; collaborate with Marketing for messaging.
• Assist in maintaining the financial aid module in Jenzabar and test system updates; coordinate with Director of Financial Aid.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in communications, business, higher education, or related field

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel)

Job description

This role assists students, employees, and the public with the obtainment and maintenance of financial assistance necessary for educational advancement. Ensure proper communication of all programs, regulations, procedures, and requirements to students, supervisors, and other college personnel, and state government agencies. This role is responsible for monitoring students’ Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) eligibility and is to advise students on financial aid and assist with questions or concerns pertinent to their continued enrollment and success at the college.

This role has a hiring range from $42,000 - $49,000 USD Annual with a full potential of $78,000.00 within this pay band.

Responsibilities

• Provide counseling and support to students, parents, and the public seeking financial aid. Communicate information on financial aid programs, applications, verification, procedures, and eligibility. Assist new and returning students with the financial aid process. Administer aid workshops and other outreach opportunities both on and off campus. (30%)
• Oversee and manage federal databases and import official student records. Evaluate student financial aid applications for completeness and accuracy to determine if further action is needed. Communicate with students regarding incomplete files and any additional required documentation. Use and interpret regulations to review and analyze student files and resolve conflicting information. Complete FAFSA verification. (25%)
• Intervene and problem solve for students having trouble navigating the financial aid process. Review special circumstance appeals. Evaluate need for adjustments to the data elements on the FAFSA and exercise Department of Education allowed Professional Judgement in making updates to official records. Monitor enrollment and adjust student aid. (10%)
• Oversee, manage, and apply Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) eligibility standards to determine student Title IV eligibility. Review student grades each semester. Manage communications to students regarding their SAP status, track student appeals, and update Jenzabar with eligibility standing. Chair SAP appeals decision committee. Ensure compliance with SAP procedural and regulatory requirements. (10%)
• Maintain accurate and timely knowledge of all federal, state, and college student aid regulations, policies, and procedures. Oversee and update college policies and procedures to maintain in federal compliance. Attend trainings, conferences, and workshops as needed to stay up-to-date. Assist with data audits. (10%)
• Oversee and manage institutional compliance with federal consumer information regulations. Update required financial aid forms and policies. Collaborate with the Marketing Department to create messaging and branding for materials to promote financial aid to both new and returning students. (10%)
• Assist in maintaining functionality for financial aid processing and financial aid module in Jenzabar. Review and test system updates and work with the Director of Financial Aid for implementation. (5%)
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in communications, business, higher education, or a related field required; or an equivalent combination of education and directly related professional experience.
• Demonstrated experience working in higher education or closely related field is required..
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office; including Word, and Excel is required.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and time management skills are imperative.
• Experience in financial aid is preferred

EEOC Statement: Zane State College does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin (ancestry), military status (past, present or future), disability, age (40 years or older), status as a parent during pregnancy and immediately after the birth of a child, status as a parent of a young child, status as a nursing mother, status as a foster parent, genetic information, or sexual orientation.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary
• Comprehensive healthcare plans including medical, dental, vision, and prescription coverage
• HSA/FSA
• Employee Assistance Program
• Life and long-term disability insurance
• Supplemental retirement savings plans
• Generous paid time off including vacation, sick, and personal leave
• 4 day work week M-Th 7:30-5:30 with evenings and weekends for events requiring your assistance only

Commitment Statement

As required by Ohio Revised Code section 3345.0216, Zane State College will: educate students by means of free, open and rigorous intellectual inquiry to seek the truth; equip students with the opportunity to develop intellectual skills to reach their own, informed conclusions; not require, favor, disfavor or prohibit speech or lawful assembly; create a community dedicated to an ethic of civil and free inquiry, which respects the autonomy of each member, supports individual capacities for growth and tolerates differences in opinion; treat all faculty, staff and students as individuals, hold them to equal standards and provide equality of opportunity with regard to race, ethnicity, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Background Check

The final candidate is subject to the successful completion of reference checks and a background check.