Financial Aid Counselor

Texas A&M University - Texarkana; Texarkana (TX); On-site; USD 41,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Retirement programs

Professional development

Job summary

Texas A&M University - Texarkana is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to serve as the primary contact for student interactions with the financial aid office. You will advise on applying for financial aid, submitting documents, interpreting award letters, and financing education to reduce indebtedness at TAMUT.

The role includes counseling students with warnings or suspensions, increasing retention, and guiding loan repayment options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.
• 1 year of related experience.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Customer Service skills.
• Ability to work individually or as a team.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the first point of contact for financial aid questions via email and phone.
• Meet with prospective students on campus to explain financial aid programs and answer questions.
• Counsel students and parents on financial aid programs, eligibility, and application processes.
• Assist with front counter operations related to admissions, registration, graduation, and financial aid.
• Lead one-on-one sessions helping with FAFSA completion and loan counseling to control default.
• Provide personalized loan counseling to students on borrowing decisions.
• Conduct exit counseling for loan recipients and communicate materials to graduates or Withdrawn students.
• Counsel parents on Parent PLUS Loan eligibility and processing.
• Assist with administration of institutional scholarships and athlete scholarships.
• Make outbound calls to assist students with all aspects of financial aid.
• Facilitate ongoing financial literacy programs in collaboration with Finance leadership.
• Other duties as assigned.

Skills

Customer Service

Oral & written communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Decision making

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Banner

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Title

Financial Aid Counselor Agency Texas A&M University - Texarkana Department Financial Aid

Job Location

Texarkana, Texas

Job Type

Staff

Salary

Proposed Minimum Salary$3,750.00 monthly

Salary information: The expected salary for this position is $45,000.00 annually.

Job Description

This position will be the primary contact for student interaction with the financial aid office. The financial aid counselor will counsel students on how to apply for financial aid, how to submit missing documents, how to interpret their award letter, and discuss the best way to finance a student’s education to control overborrowing to shrink our total student indebtedness at TAMUT. This position will also counsel students that receive warnings or suspensions of financial aid for failing to meet satisfactory progress which in turn will increase retention. This position will counsel graduating seniors on the best student loan repayment options to increase successful student repayment, while lowering the schools default rate. This position will help students understand basic financial literacy for a successful life after college. This position will work with Athletes and prospecting students to advise on scholarships.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• First point of contact for incoming emails and phone calls regarding financial aid questions.
• Meet with prospective students that visit campus to explain financial aid programs and answer questions
• Counsel students and parents regarding the various financial aid programs and scholarships opportunities, eligibility criteria, and application processes on and off campus.
• Assist with front counter operations answering questions for prospective, current and returning students as it relates to but not limited to admissions/registration/graduation/financial aid.
• Responsible for one-on-one sessions with students assisting with completing the FAFSA, completing the financial aid process to get awarded, understanding school policies like satisfactory academic progress to increase retention, controlling default by providing loan counseling.
• Provide personalized loan counseling to student loan borrowers so they make wise borrowing decision.
• Conduct exit counseling for loan recipients through personal and group counseling sessions; send counseling materials to graduates and official and unofficial student withdrawals.
• Counsels parents on Parent PLUS Loan eligibility, application requirements, and processing.
• Assist with the administration and coordination of institutional scholarship programs as well as student athlete scholarships
• Make outbound calls to assist students with all aspects of the financial aid process.
• Facilitate TAMUT’s ongoing efforts to maintain a successful financial literacy program work with our Executive Director of Finance and Entrepreneurship
• This document represents the major duties, responsibilities, and authorities of this job, and is not intended to be a complete list of all tasks and functions. Other duties may be assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• One year of related experience.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Customer Service skills.
• Ability to work individually or as a team.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with Banner or comparable Financial Aid software program
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations
• Experience with the Microsoft Office suite of programs
• Program development or management experience
• Other Requirements Ability to work weekends and evenings to support university enrollment functions

OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

Benefits

From our generous benefits package and professional development opportunities to our retirement programs and our commitment to service excellence, A&M-Texarkana is an engaging and rewarding place to work. Insurance: Medical$0 - $30 per month for Employee Only coverage after university contribution ($920 value)Up to 83% of premium covered by the university: Employee and Spouse Employee and Children Employee and Family coverage Dental & Vision Life Insurance, Accidental D&D, Long Term Disability, Flexible Spending Account and Day Care Spending Account Tuition Benefits: Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program 75% waiver of tuition and fees for full-time employees, their spouses and children Time Off: 8+ hours of vacation paid time off every month 8 hours of sick leave paid time off every month 8 hours of paid time off for birthday leave 12-15 paid holidays each year Retirement: Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) or Optional Retirement Plan (ORP) Voluntary Tax Deferred Account/Deferred Compensation Plan Professional Development via LinkedIn Learning Employee Assistance Program On Campus Wellness Opportunities

All positions are security-sensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation, and employment is contingent upon the institution’s verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institution’s procedures, including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.

The Texas A&M System is one of the largest systems of higher education in the nation, with a statewide network of twelve universities, eight state agencies, a comprehensive health science center, Texas A&M-Fort Worth and Texas A&M-RELLIS. The A&M System is committed to providing an educational and work environment that is conducive to the personal and professional development of each employee. Each member institution provides equal opportunity and access to all students, employees and prospective employees. External Applicants - Applicants not currently employed by a Texas A&M System member may Search Postings and apply for positions within one or more A&M System members by selecting the job posting. Internal Applicants - This site lists job postings throughout The Texas A&M University System. It is intended for applicants not currently employed by a member of the system. Current employees should apply for jobs on the Internal Career site. The Texas A&M System is an Equal Opportunity/ Veterans/ Disability Employer.