Financial Aid Counselor

Fort Valley State University; Fort Valley (GA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Fort Valley State University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to administer and award financial aid for undergraduate and graduate students, advising families on the process and preparing packages in line with federal, state, and institutional guidelines.

The role involves data reporting, documentation collection, campus workshops, and open houses; strong customer service, communication, and accuracy are essential to help students receive timely aid.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field.
• Three+ years of experience in financial aid or higher education.
• Experience with FAFSA processing, verification, and loans.
• Excellent written and oral communication; strong customer service and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise applicants and families on financial aid options and award packages.
• Allocate financial aid funds to students within eligibility criteria.
• Prepare and package aid for undergraduate and graduate students.
• Assist with data collection and documentation requests.
• Represent the University at open houses and FAFSA days.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business, Public Administration, or related field

Tools

Student Information System (SIS)

FAFSA processing software

Job description

FORT VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY (FVSU), a state and land-grant institution of the University System of Georgia, invites applications for the position of Financial Aid Counselor.

Fort Valley State University, the only 1890 land-grant university in Georgia, is a comprehensive institution that provides an education to over 2,800 students including graduate students. The university is located in the town of Fort Valley in Peach County, the original site of the state's peach industry. Its 1,365-acre (5.52 km2) campus is Georgia's second-largest public university in area.

Fort Valley State University is an equal opportunity employer. The University does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or University System of Georgia policy.

JOB SUMMARY

This position is directly responsible for administering and awarding financial aid to students and advises students and parents regarding financial aid matters. Responsible for counseling students and parents/guardians on all aspects of the financial aid process and preparing financial aid packages for undergraduate and graduate students by federal, state, and institutional guidelines. The Financial Aid Counselor administers assigned federal, institutional, private, and/or state financial aid programs or programs and will utilize databases to extract and provide a variety of reports and information. Collects and analyzes data as appropriate to determine eligibility within guidelines of federal, state, and institutional programs. Assists with the collection and arrangement of data and requests for additional documentation from students and parent(s) as well as disseminating confidential records on all information collected. Conducts campus and community workshops and/or presentations for students and the University community.

MAJOR DUTIES

• Knowledge and ability to perform modern administrative office management procedures. Counsel and advise applicants and/or family members on financial aid options, award packages, cost and obligations, including FAFSA completion, verification, and loan processes.
• Allocate millions of dollars of financial aid funds among qualified students within established eligibility criteria accurately and timely.
• Manage relationships with students in the assigned caseload group.
• Comply with federal, state, and institutional policies and regulations.
• Ensure communication and delivery of all award letters, missing form letters, and loan disbursement letters, etc. for students and/or parents.
• Complete all data entries for the assigned caseload.
• Complete all records of all federal, state, and/or institutional funds for assigned caseload.
• Complete folder setup, awarding, and packaging for all students within the assigned caseload.
• Maintain orderly files with organized and timely filing procedures for the caseload assigned.
• Process all drops, withdrawals, re‑admits, and re‑package as appropriate.
• Complete all verification, satisfactory progress and special circumstance forms timely and accurately.
• Ensure accurate reporting for all loans on the package.
• Respond to all phone calls, emails, and other correspondence timely and accurately, researching each case thoroughly.
• Response to calls should be within an hour, if not answered directly.
• Represent the University at all open houses, registration, FAFSA day, and other related events on or off campus.
• Award all institutional scholarships according to eligibility and so that no deadlines are missed.
• Assist the director and assistant director with certification.
• Assist in the training of new hires.
• Assist in the updating of the training manual and policy and procedures manual as assigned.
• Assist with the disbursement of funds as directed by the director and/or assistant director.
• On an occasional basis, travel to an off‑campus meeting site to attend institutional workshops.
• Required to work some evenings and weekends.

KNOWLEDGE REQUIRED BY THE POSITION

• Knowledge of all regulations, policies, and procedures governing financial aid programs always ensuring institutional compliance.
• Knowledge of departmental policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of University policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of external funding criteria for each scholarship.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
• The work is typically performed in an office.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Equivalent to a Bachelor's Degree in Business, Public Administration, or a related field from an accredited college/university, three (3) or more years of experience may substitute degree requirements.
• Application of Title IV funding; application of financial aid packaging; proven success in customer service and higher education; excellent written and oral communications; computer proficiency; organizational skills; experience working with a student/business information system and database.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work effectively with various constituencies including potential/incoming students and their families, current students and their families, faculty, administrators, and the public.

USG Core Values Statement

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning, as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct.

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653.