Financial Aid Counselor

Texas A&M University System; Texarkana (TX); On-site; USD 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Texas A&M University - Texarkana is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to be the primary contact for students in the financial aid office, guiding applications, document submission, and interpretation of awards to optimize funding and reduce indebtedness.

Responsibilities include advising students and families, assisting with FAFSA and aid processes, loan counseling, and supporting campus retention initiatives. Strong communication and organizational skills are essential.

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.
• Oral and written communication skills.
• Customer Service skills.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.
• Ability to organize and make decisions.

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.

Skills

Oral and written communication

Customer service

Multitasking

Teamwork

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Tools

Banner

Microsoft Office

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.

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.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.