Financial Aid Counselor

University of South Carolina Upstate; Spartanburg (SC); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health and Life Insurance

Retirement Programs

Paid Tuition Program

Dependent Scholarships

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

Annual Leave

Sick Leave

13 Paid Holidays

Paid Parental Leave

Professional Development Opportunities

Job summary

University of South Carolina Upstate in Spartanburg, SC is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to assist students and families, counsel on and process aid, and ensure accurate loan certifications. The role requires a bachelor’s degree and related experience, with a preference for a master’s degree and familiarity with FA systems.

The position is full-time, with standard hours and occasional evenings or weekends as needed, supporting the university’s commitment to student access and success.

Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 1+ years of related experience; equivalent combination of certification, training, education, and/or experience may be accepted.
• Master's degree preferred; familiarity with financial aid software systems and student information systems is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Represent the Financial Aid office at high school and college recruiting events on campus and some travel to events in the Upstate area.
• Counsels all students prospective and current as well as parents, faculty and staff.
• Monitors loan approvals, rejects, and denials; handles adjustments to loans and other aid; experiences with Direct and Private loans; maintains FA system integrity.
• Sets up and processes all loan funds for lender platforms; monitors via the EDE and COD systems for certification and receipt of funds.
• Reviews and processes all loan applications including loan certification.
• Completes aggregate loan calculations, reviews daily loan reports, and serves as liaison regarding private loan issues.
• Reviews student files for SC Teacher Loan; monitors and awards SC Teacher Loan in coordination with SC Student Loan Corporation.
• Sets up all students within the NSLDS system to ensure transfer, monitoring, and alert system compliance.

Skills

Multitasking

Troubleshooting

Independent judgment

Teamwork

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

FAFSA system

NSLDS

EDE (Enrollment Data Exchange)

Job description

Financial Aid Counselor

Posting Number: STA00776PO26

Advertised Salary Range:

Location of Vacancy: USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC

Part/Full Time: Full Time

Work Schedule: Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5pm; Some evenings and weekends as needed are required.

About University of South Carolina

From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor's degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service - helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.

Job Summary

Financial Aid Counselor

University of South Carolina Upstate

STA00776PO26

Spartanburg, SC

Job Duties

• Job DutyRepresenting the Financial Aid office at high school and college recruiting events on campus and some travel to events in the Upstate area.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time5
• Job DutyCounsels all students prospective and current as well as parents, faculty and staff.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time15
• Job DutyMonitors loan approvals, rejects, and denials. Responsible for adjustments to loans and other sources of aid. Awards loans both Direct and Private loans and ensures proper integrity of the Financial Aid (FA) system. Responsible for the setup and processing of all loan funds for all lender platforms and monitor via the ELM and COD systems which will ensure the integrity for certification, reallocation, and receipt of funds.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time25
• Job DutyReview and process all loan applications including loan certification.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time25
• Job DutyResponsible for completing aggregate loan calculations, reviewing daily loan reports, and serve as liaison regarding private loan issues.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time10
• Job DutyReview student files for SC Teacher Loan Program. Monitors and awards SC Teacher Loan working with SC Student Loan Corporation to ensure awards are correct; and awards are correctly added to the Financial Aid System.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time10
• Job DutyResponsible for set up of all students within the NSLDS system to ensure the transfer, monitor, and alert system is compliant with the EDEssential FunctionYesPercentage of Time5
• Job DutyOther duties as assigned by supervisor.Essential FunctionYesPercentage of Time5

Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience

Requires a bachelor's degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Master's degree preferred. Prefer financial aid experience and familiarity with financial aid related software systems and aid modules. Prefer experience with student integrated systems, FA system, and various personal computer software.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

Must be prepared to integrate new processing system and software. Must show ability to manage multiple responsibilities with minimal error. Show strong ability to troubleshoot problems and make sound decisions. Harmonious working relationship with colleagues, all students, and families a must. Ability to process and monitor $35+million in educational loans. Ability to ensure that all midyear students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are correctly coded as FA recipients in accordance with institutional policy. Possess the ability to make sound independent judgments with a highly regulated field. A successful background check is required.

Job Close Date

Open Until Filled: Yes

Benefits

• Health and Life Insurance
• Retirement Programs
• Paid Tuition Program
• Dependent Scholarships
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Annual Leave
• Sick Leave
• 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
• Paid Parental Leave
• Professional Development Opportunities

The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.