Financial Aid Counselor

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.; Baton Rouge (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement options

Medical insurance

Paid time off

Professional development

Job summary

BRCC in Baton Rouge is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to guide students and families through the financial aid process, interpreting federal, state, and institutional aid programs and helping plan education funding. The role emphasizes strong customer service, collaboration, and careful handling of confidential information.

Ideal candidates will have a bachelor’s degree and experience with large database systems, such as Banner 9, and a commitment to serving diverse student populations in a

Qualifications

• Must have strong customer service orientation.
• Excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work individually and as part of a team.
• Experience using a large database system and handling confidential information.

Responsibilities

• Advise students and families regarding the financial aid process and funding options via calls, letters, emails, and in-person visits.
• Evaluate and review financial aid awards and required documentation.
• Exercise independent judgment to adjust financial aid profiles per regulations and policy.
• Maintain knowledge of federal/state aid regulations and institutional policies.
• Interpret and revise financial aid packages from multiple funding sources.
• Cross-train with staff for backup support and provide on-demand advising.

Skills

Customer service orientation

Organizational skills

Written and oral communication skills

Teamwork

Database knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, Computer Science, Social Science or related field

Tools

Banner 9

Job description

Job no: 495667

Closes:

Work Type: Staff Full-Time

Locations: Baton Rouge, LA

Categories: Academic Affairs, Admissions, Financial Aid,Student Affairs, Education

Financial Aid Counselor

Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Advancing Excellence, Expanding Educational Access, andEmpowering Student Success.

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for assistingstudents and families in navigating the financial aid process andaccessing the resources needed to finance their education. Thisposition requires a strong understanding of financial aid programs,excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to provide accurateand comprehensive guidance to students from diversebackgrounds.

Key Responsibilities

60%:

• Advise and counsel students and their families regarding thefinancial aid process, unique circumstances affecting individualapplicants, and available options for funding a college educationthrough incoming telephone calls, letters, emails, and in-personinteractions.
• Evaluate and review financial aid awards, process requireddocumentation, and respond to student inquiries and requests.
• Exercise independent judgment to make appropriate adjustments to students' financial aid profiles in accordance with federal andstate regulations and institutional policies, including the use ofprofessional judgment when applicable.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations as they relate to assigned responsibilities, as well asthe institution's goals, objectives, and policies regardingfinancial aid administration.
• Interpret and revise financial aid packages consisting ofprivate, institutional, state, and federal funding sources.
• Cross-train with other staff members to provide backup supportas needed.
• Rotate with other personnel to provide on-demand and walk-infinancial aid advising.
• Participate in College Night events and other communityoutreach activities to present financial aid information andpromote awareness of available financial aid programs.

35% Determined by Departmental Needs

5% Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education,Computer Science, Social Science or related field.

Experience

• Must possess a strong customer service orientation andexcellent organizational, written and oral communicationskills.
• Ability to work individually as well as part of a team.
• Knowledge and experience in using a large database system.
• Demonstrated ability to process and maintain information thatis often ambiguous and highly confidential.
• Must understand and adhere to procedural a confidentialityrequirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by makinggroup presentations which explain both the various financial aidprograms and associated application processes.
• Ensures student and parent awareness 0f the various financialaid sources during counseling sessions by providing information tothem and answering their questions regarding financial aidsources.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a financial aid office or post-secondaryinstitution preferred.
• Performing daily FA processes using Banner 9.
• Familiar with federal, state, and Intuitional programs and therequirements for administering each program.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of federal financial aid programs andsupporting regulations.
• Working knowledge of Title IV program fund regulations.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Department of Education rules andregulations.

Benefits:

As a member of the LouisianaCommunity and Technical College System,BRCC has an attractivebenefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefitsoffered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options,supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident,vision, etc), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollarson some childcare and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year,typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual(vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program.Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort, andlength of employment.

Why Join BRCC?

Baton Rouge Community College offers a collaborative workenvironment, a commitment to employee development, and theopportunity to support the mission of student success throughstrong institutional operations.

Passing pre-employment criminal background screen isrequired as a condition of employment.