Financial Aid Counselor

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Tuition benefits

Paid time off

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

Texas A&M University - Texarkana is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to serve as the primary contact for student interactions in the Financial Aid office. You will counsel students on applying for aid, submitting documents, and interpreting award letters, while helping reduce student indebtedness.

Responsibilities include FAFSA completion support, loan counseling, and advising on scholarship opportunities. The role may require some evenings or weekends to support university enrollment functions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Minimum one year of related experience.
• Knowledge of financial aid counseling, verification, rules and regulations.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Customer service skills.

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.
• Assist with front counter operations answering questions for prospective, current and returning students as it relates to admissions/registration/graduation/financial aid.
• Provide loan counseling and help students complete the FAFSA, understand policy like Satisfactory Academic Progress to increase retention.
• Conduct exit counseling for loan recipients and provide materials to graduates and withdrawals.
• Counsel parents on Parent PLUS Loan eligibility, requirements, and processing.
• Assist with administration of institutional scholarship programs and student athlete scholarships.

Skills

Financial aid counseling

Customer service

Oral and written communication

Multitasking

Teamwork

Problem solving

Education

Bachelor's degree

Equivalent training or experience

Tools

Banner

MS Office

Financial aid software

Job description

**Job Title**Financial Aid Counselor**Agency**Texas A&M University - Texarkana**Department**Financial Aid**Proposed Minimum Salary**$3,750.00 monthly**Job Location**Texarkana, Texas**Job Type**Staff**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. **Salary information:** The expected salary for this position is $45,000.00 annually.**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.**To apply: Upload your cover letter, CV/resume, and 3 professional reference's contact information with one reference being a supervisor/manager in the questionnaire section of your application.Please remember once you submit your application you will not be able to “revise” or upload any documents. If you have any questions about uploading or a revision to your application, you may contact [e-mail]. **BENEFITS** *(rules, policies, eligibility apply***):****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.