Financial Aid Counselor

Agnes Scott College; Decatur (GA); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

Agnes Scott College in Decatur, GA, is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to greet visitors, counsel students and parents on the financial aid process, and assist with daily Office of Financial Aid operations.

The role reports to the Director of Financial Aid and requires a Bachelor's degree in a related field and a minimum of 2 years of financial aid experience in a higher education setting. Strong knowledge of federal/state regulations and customer service are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in a related field required.
• Minimum of 2 years financial aid experience in a higher education setting.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague preferred.

Responsibilities

• Assists students and families that visit the office of Financial Aid, answer phone calls, and email inquiries.
• Reviews student accounts for completion, accuracy and adjustments in accordance with federal financial aid regulations, state statutes, and institutional guidelines.
• Provides counseling and advising services to prospective and current students and parents relative to financial aid.
• Manages verification process of students selected for additional financial aid review.
• Assists with managing all state grant/scholarship programs, including Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE, Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant, Public Safety, GA Hero, REACH and GA Completion Grant.
• Assists with monthly reconciliations.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Organization

Problem solving

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree in a related field

2+ years financial aid experience

Tools

Ellucian Colleague

Job description

Office: Office of Financial Aid

Reports to: Director of Financial Aid

Work Period: 12-month

Hours: Full-time

Overtime: Exempt

Job Grade: 7

General Summary: Greets visitors, counsels students and parents on the Financial aid process, and assists with the daily operations of the Office of Financial Aid within the guidelines of federal, state and local laws and office, division and college policies and procedures; Reports to the Director of Financial Aid and works with co-workers, faculty, staff, students and their families, federal loan lenders, the department of education, other financial administrators, and the community to provide understandable and efficient financial aid services.

Essential Job Functions:

1. Assists students and families that visit the office of Financial Aid, answer phone calls, and email inquiries.
2. Reviews student accounts for completion, accuracy and adjustments in accordance with federal financial aid regulations, state statutes, and institutional guidelines.
3. Provides counseling and advising services to prospective and current students and parents relative to financial aid.
4. Manages verification process of students selected for additional financial aid review.
5. Assists with managing all state grant/scholarship programs, including Zell Miller Scholarship, HOPE, Georgia Tuition Equalization Grant, Public Safety, GA Hero, REACH and GA Completion Grant.
6. Assists with monthly reconciliations.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's Degree in a related field (e.g. finance, education, counseling) required.

Experience: Minimum of 2 years financial aid experience in a higher education setting. Experience with Ellucian Colleague is preferred.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:

• Strong ability to organize and prioritize work, be proactive, take initiative, resolve problems, follow through, and simultaneously manage multiple priorities to ensure goals are met in a timely manner.
• Strong customer service orientation, strong communication skills, and strong work ethic.
• Comprehensive knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Ability to foster a cooperative work environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively with a wide range of constituencies in a diverse community.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Intermittent sitting, standing, stooping, crouching, walking, and occasional moving of light objects. Work performed in an office.

DISCLAIMER

The preceding job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to this job. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to the position.

EEO

To provide equal employment and advancement opportunities to all individuals, employment decisions at Agnes Scott College are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. Agnes Scott prohibits unlawful discrimination based on protected categories in its employment practices. This shall include, but not be limited to, employment, promotion, compensation, benefits, training and termination.