Financial Aid Counselor

Louisiana State University; United States; On-site; USD 40,000 - 60,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Retirement options

Paid holidays

Wellness benefits

Job summary

Louisiana State University is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to enhance student enrollment objectives. This position focuses on advising students about federal and state financial aid programs and ensuring effective communication.

The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal skills, a Bachelor's degree, and knowledge of financial aid practices. Responsibilities include counseling students, resolving financial aid issues, and engaging in special projects that support the Office of

Qualifications

• Knowledge of best practices in financial aid.
• Strong team orientation and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to data-driven decision-making.
• Experience working in financial aid or equivalent student service setting.

Responsibilities

• Counsel and advise students on financial aid programs.
• Resolve over award situations and ensure accuracy in correspondence.
• Participate in special projects and represent LSU at events.

Skills

Active Listening

Communication

Confidentiality

Critical Thinking

Customer-Focused

Decision Making

Policy Knowledge

Time Management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Financial Aid Counselor

Location: 1138 Ruffin G. Pleasant Hall, LSU-BR (not eligible for remote work)

The financial aid coordinator position within Louisiana State University’s office of financial aid & scholarships will play a key collaborative role in advancing the university and meeting the student enrollment objectives. The individual, with general oversight from the Manager, will be responsible for maintaining financial aid communication with current and prospective students and families.

Financial Aid Counseling (60%)

Counsels and advises prospective and enrolled students in all matters pertaining to federal and state financial aid programs, including but not limited to Federal Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants, TEACH Grants, Federal Work-Study, and Direct Loan Programs. This interaction may include phone, in-person, or written contacts. The employee must be accurate in describing financial aid policies, criteria and procedures. Individual must be responsive to prospective students’ concerns and needs by providing excellent customer service. Performs detailed and personalized outreach to prospective and continuing students such as: phone calling, emailing, and other communications as needed. Responsible for assisting students in resolving problems associated with the application processes for federal and state programs, the electronic loan transmission process and the correction process. Evaluates and processes requests for “special circumstances” and “petitions for independent status” presented by students in determining eligibility for the federal programs.

Financial Aid Operations (30%)

Resolves over award situations, which involves reducing one or more aid programs because of receipt of additional resources or conflicting financial information. Must inform students, contact appropriate agencies, and return proceeds. Serves as a rotating member of the satisfactory academic progress appeals committee. Reviews daily correspondence and award letters in their respective alphabetical breakdown to ensure accuracy and perform quality assurance. Aid in the retention of students through direct student outreach, providing students with a thorough understanding of resources and polices.

Special projects as assigned (10%)

Including, but not limited to assigned committees and outreach projects. Represent LSU and the Office of Enrollment Management at professional functions and recruiting events. Represent LSU and EMSS at orientation events.

Required Experience/Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree. LSU values skills, experience, and expertise. Candidates who have relevant experience in key job responsibilities are encouraged to apply— a degree is not required as long as the candidate meets the required years of experience specified in the job description. Meets eligibility to obtain National Student Loan Database System access and must not be in default on a student loan.

Our ideal candidate possesses the following qualities:

• Knowledge of best practices in financial aid
• Strong team orientation, effective interpersonal skills, and superior written and verbal communication skills
• Demonstrated commitment to data-driven decision-making, including effective analytical skills and proven results in achieving objectives and goals
• Experience working in financial aid or equivalent student service setting

Skills Needed

• Active Listening
• Communication
• Confidentiality
• Critical Thinking
• Customer-Focused
• Decision Making
• Policy Knowledge
• Time Management

Additional Position Information

Background Check

An offer of employment is contingent on a satisfactory pre-employment background check.

Benefits

• health, life, dental, and vision insurance
• flexible spending accounts
• retirement options
• various leave options
• paid holidays
• wellness benefits
• tuition exemption for qualified positions
• training and development opportunities
• employee discounts
• and more!

Positions approved to work outside the State of Louisiana shall be employed through Louisiana State University’s partner, nextSource Workforce Solutions, for Employer of Record Services including but not limited to employment, benefits, payroll, and tax compliance. Positions employed through Employer of Record Services will be offered benefits and retirement as applicable through their provider and will not be eligible for State of Louisiana benefits and retirement.

LSU is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

All candidates must have valid U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and maintain that valid work authorization throughout employment.

Changes in laws, regulations, or government policies may impact the university’s ability to employ individuals in certain positions.

LSU includes institutions, facilities and programs in each of Louisiana’s 64 parishes, and its campuses stretch the length of the state from New Orleans to Shreveport. Each institution plays a vital role in preparing students to incorporate new knowledge and technologies into daily lives.

LSU researchers across Louisiana are working on developing a wide-range of innovations to improve quality of life by studying issues such as disease management, advance medical treatments, obesity, coastal protection, hurricane preparedness, energy, natural resource management and agriculture, among others.

Louisiana’s Flagship University is a land-, sea- and space-grant institution with academic programs in all areas of science, engineering, humanities, arts and social sciences. The University comprises of nine institutions: Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College (“LSU”), the premier flagship university for the state, which include the Paul M. Hebert Law Center and the School of Veterinary Medicine Louisiana State University at Alexandria Louisiana State University at Eunice Louisiana State University at Shreveport LSU Health Sciences Center – New Orleans LSU Health Science Center – Shreveport The Health Care Services Division Louisiana State University Agricultural Center Pennington Biomedical Research Center Any other college, university, school, institution, or program now or hereafter under the supervision and management of the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College

In implementing its mission, LSU is committed to: Offering a broad array of undergraduate degree programs and extensive graduate research opportunities designed to attract and educate highly qualified undergraduate and graduate students; Employing faculty who are excellent teacher-scholars, nationally competitive in research and creative activities, and who contribute to a world-class knowledge base that is transferable to educational, professional, cultural, and economic enterprises; and Using its extensive resources to solve economic, environmental, and social challenges.