Financial Aid Counselor

Flagler College; Saint Augustine (FL); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

Flagler College is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to advise students and parents on federal, state, and institutional aid and to assist with the awarding process. The role requires evaluating documents, determining awards, and coordinating with the Business Office to resolve balances.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree or equivalent with strong communication, organization, and data-entry skills, plus prior financial aid experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent required (AA degree + 2 years of office experience acceptable).
• Strong written and verbal communication is essential.
• Experience handling federal, state, and institutional financial aid procedures is preferred.
• Ability to organize and maintain accurate student financial records.

Responsibilities

• Counsels students and parents on financial aid matters, including applications for federal, state, institutional aid, scholarships, and loans.
• Evaluates financial aid documents for completeness and accuracy to meet eligibility requirements.
• Determines financial aid awards in compliance with policy and law.
• Reviews incomplete files and requests missing information from students and families.
• Corresponds regarding Award Letters, renewals, and required documents.
• Coordinates with Business Office on aid, balances, and payment issues.
• Evaluates eligibility for renewal with Registrar to review grades and hours.
• Participates in College events to provide financial aid information to the community.
• Organizes documents and maintains records in physical files and enterprise software.
• Performs tasks as assigned by the Director and Associate Director of Financial Aid.

Skills

Communication

Patience

Student-focused

Respond promptly

Analytical skills

Data entry

Mathematics proficiency

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Prior financial aid experience

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

AA degree + 2 years experience

Job description

JOB DESCRIPTION

The Financial Aid Counselor advises students and parents on all matters pertaining to the financial aid program and assists with the administration of financial aid awarding.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Counsels assigned students and their parents on financial aidmatters, including application for federal, state, andinstitutional aid; application for scholarships, and applicationfor loans.
• Evaluates students' financial aid documents for completeness and accuracy, ensuring that federal, state, and institutional eligibility and application requirements are met.
• Determines financial aid awards, including federal, state, and institutional financial aid awards in compliance with federal, state, and institutional policy, regulation, and law.
• Performs regular review of incomplete files and corresponds with students and families regarding the forms and information required to complete the student file.
• Corresponds with students and families regarding the financial aid Award Letter, award acceptance, renewal requirements, and application completion
• Coordinates closely with the Business Office regarding student aid, student balances, and payment issues.
• Performs evaluation of student eligibility in accordance with financial aid renewal requirements, and works in conjunction with the Registrar's Office to review eligibility issues pertaining to grades and hours.
• Participates in College events to provide information on financial aid matters to the local community including students,prospective students, parents, high school personnel, and other organizations
• Organizes documents and maintains student financial aid records via both physical file and via enterprise software.
• Perform duties tasks as prescribed by the Director and Associate Director of Financial Aid

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent required (An acceptable equivalent is an AA degree plus a minimum of 2 years of professional office experience.)

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Effective and professional communication skills both verbally and in writing
• Possess patience and empathy for students and parents by remaining congenial and respectful under stressful conditions while treating others with dignity and respect
• Student-focused and collaborative, a cooperativeattitude
• Responsive an accessible by responding promptly with appropriate follow through
• Analytical skills for the review of documents and student files
• Computer skills and experience in data entry
• Proficiency in mathematics
• Organizational skills and accurate record keeping/data entry
• Ability to multi-task and work in an environment with frequent interruptions
• Prior financial aid experience