Financial Aid Counselor

Florida National University; Florida; On-site; USD 42,000 - 64,000; Full time

Job summary

Florida National University, Inc. is seeking a capable Financial Aid Assistant to support the Financial Aid Director in planning, organizing, and supervising the department to administer federal, state, and institutional aid funds.

The role emphasizes prompt communication with students and families, strict compliance with FERPA and related regulations, and collaboration with campus partners during orientations and commencements. Strong bilingual English/Spanish communication is preferred.

Qualifications

• Associate degree preferred.
• Experience in financial aid processes.
• Bilingual: English and Spanish.

Responsibilities

• Assist the Financial Aid Director in planning, organization, and supervision of the Financial Aid department.
• Respond promptly to daily communications via email and voicemail.
• Ensure compliance with FERPA, GDPR, and applicable laws in all admission activities and financial aid processes.
• Participate in commencements, new student orientation, university events, and committees.
• Execute special projects assigned by the Financial Aid Director or Campus Dean.
• Stay up-to-date with FSA handbook, IFAP announcements, deadlines, and policies.

Skills

Financial aid knowledge

Bilingual English/Spanish

Attention to detail

Education

Associate degree preferred

Job description

Florida National University contributes to the education of a diverse student body within the community it serves. FNU employs and develops a faculty of scholars proficient in the art of teaching. We strive to prepare students for employment in their chosen careers through quality education and instruction.

Position Overview

Assist the Financial Aid Director in planning, organization and supervision of the Financial Aid department to administer federal, state, and institutional financial aid funds and services.

Key Responsibilities

• Communication Management: Respond promptly to daily communications via email and voicemail, addressing inquiries promptly and professionally.
• Policy Adherence and Ethical Compliance: Ensure strict adherence to the University's mission, policies, procedures, ethical standards, compliance with data protection regulations and pertinent legal regulations in all aspects of admission activities.
• University Engagement: Participate in Commencement Exercises, new student orientation, university events, committees, self-studies, and University Commencement Ceremonies.
• Special Projects: Execute special projects assigned by the President or supervisor.
• Compliance Adherence: Ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments Act of 1972, as well as FNU Policies, Procedures, Rules, and Regulation, the FNU Code of Ethics, Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), Florida Information Protection Act of 2014 (FIPA), the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and all other applicable federal, state, and local laws, rules, and regulations.
• Assigned Duties: Undertake other assigned duties as required.

Position Responsibilities

• 1. Provides advising throughout the financial aid process to current students and their families.
• a. Ensure students and their families receive the best possible student-focused support and service.
• 2. Must have a thorough knowledge of available types of financial aid, scholarships and general student eligibility criteria.
• 3. Exercises independent judgment in the management of operational details of financial aid process including but not limited to:
• a. Reviews incoming financial aid application and any supporting documentation needed to determine the accuracy of the financial and household information reported on the FAFSA. This requires knowledge of not only federal financial aid regulations, but IRS tax laws relate to federal student financial aid.
• b. Completes assigned duties with a high degree of accuracy to ensure compliance while experiencing multiple interruptions.
• c. Exercises great attention to detail when completing assignments such as errors in judgment or calculations could result in unintended consequences for the student and/or the institution such as under or over funding of a student, loss of student eligibility, audit findings, fines, damage to school’s reputation or loss of institutional eligibility.
• d. It has the authority to recalculate and adjust financial aid awards when student’s eligibility changes.
• 4. Maintains knowledge of policies of other departments (admission, registrar, student account, etc.) and understand the impact of them on a student’s financial aid eligibility
• 5. Must utilize conflict resolution skills set to pacify disgruntled students and parents, helping them to understand the situation and identify potential solutions to issues
• 6. Maintains student confidentiality in accordance with FERPA regulations.
• 7. Performs special projects assigned either by the Financial Aid Officer or Campus Dean.
• 8. Attends and completes financial aid webinars, courses, conferences assigned by the FA Director/Assistant/Officer.
• 9. Keeps up to date with the FSA handbook; electronic announcements, and Dear Colleagues letters at IFAP website.
• a. Reads, interprets, and ensures compliance with federal and state regulations, deadline and school policies as they apply to federal, state and institutional student aid.
• 10. Attends and participates in the Financial Aid Annual Meeting.

Requirements

• Associate degree preferred
• Financial Aid experience
• English / Spanish

Key Competencies

• Numerical, literacy, organization, and planning skills
• Work management and prioritizing skills
• Verbal and written communication skills
• Problem solving ability, attention to detail.
• Accuracy, flexibility, reliability, teamwork

Schedule

• Monday - Thursday: 2 days from 8:00am to 5:00pm and 2 days from 12:00pm to 9:00pm
• Fridays alternate (campus closes at 7pm) (8:00am to 5:00pm or 10:00am to 7:00pm)

Job Type

Full-time