Financial Aid Counselor

University of the Cumberlands; Williamsburg (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Cumberlands is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to aid students in navigating the federal and state aid processes, including FAFSA completion and award reviews.

The role requires presenting financial aid information, advising on eligibility, and ensuring compliance with FERPA and related regulations. You will interact with diverse student populations, manage multiple tasks, and support orientation activities.

Qualifications

• Associate degree or equivalent experience required, BA/BS preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations.
• Excellent communication and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse student populations and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong computer skills including Word, Outlook, and Excel; willing to learn university software.

Responsibilities

• Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility, and application procedures.
• Assist students with FAFSA and other required documentation in the financial aid process.
• Review and evaluate financial aid applications for accuracy and completeness.
• Address inquiries related to policies, procedures, and eligibility criteria.
• Advocate for students in resolving financial aid issues and challenges.
• Facilitate outbound communication via telephone, email, and text about missing documents.
• Respond to calls and emails in a professional and tactful manner.
• Stay informed about changes in federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Ensure compliance with laws and regulations governing financial aid programs.
• Assist with new student orientation and present financial information to prospective students and parents.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Time management

Confidentiality

Student counseling

Multitasking

Education

Associate degree or equivalent experience

Bachelor's degree preferred

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Outlook

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Get Set for Cumberlands! Join our team of student-focused individuals working together in order to encourage intellectual and spiritual growth, leadership and service.

Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor plays a critical role in assisting students in navigating the financial aid process. The ideal candidate will provide comprehensive financial aid counseling, assisting students through the application and awarding processes, ensuring access to the financial resources needed to pursue their education.

Essential Job Functions:

• Provide individualized counseling to students regarding financial aid options, eligibility, and application procedures.
• Assist students in understanding and navigating the financial aid process, including completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and other required documentation.
• Review and evaluate financial aid applications for accuracy and completeness.
• Address inquiries related to financial aid policies, procedures, and eligibility criteria.
• Advocate for students in resolving financial aid issues and challenges.
• Facilitate outbound communication via telephone, email, and text to ensure students are appropriately informed of missing financial documents.
• Answer phone calls and respond to emails in a professional and tactful manner.
• Stay informed about changes in federal and state financial aid regulations.
• Ensure compliance with all relevant laws and regulations governing financial aid programs.
• Assist with new student orientation including the ability to counsel, present and deliver presentation with financial information to prospective students and parents.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Initiative-taker with positive outlook and an interest in the success of the University.
• Possess good decision-making skills and the ability to assist a student community of diverse perspectives and cultures.
• Demonstrated excellence in verbal and written communication skills.
• Must have exceptional follow-up, follow-through, and attention to detail.
• Respond to large volumes of phone, email and in-person inquiries in a timely manner.
• Ability to manage confidential information, exercise sound judgment and recognize the confidential nature of student information (FERPA).
• Results oriented with ability to manage multiple projects or tasks.
• Strong critical thinking skills with the ability to solve problems and communicate concisely while focusing on the needs of the student.

Minimum Education and Experience:

• Associate degree or equivalent experience required, B.A. or B.S. preferred.
• Previous experience in financial aid counseling or related student services role is preferred.
• Knowledge of federal and state financial aid programs and regulations.
• Excellent communication and time-management abilities.
• Ability to work with diverse student populations and maintain confidentiality.
• Strong computer skills including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel with a willingness to learn University software products.
• Demonstrated organizational and time management skills including the ability to successfully priority and manage multiple tasks.

Cumberlands is different by design. Our employees exemplify our motto in the pursuit of a “life-more-abundant.” Located in the heart of Appalachia, University of the Cumberlands (UC) is an institution of regional distinction that offers undergraduate degrees in more than 40 major fields of study, along with several pre-professional, graduate and doctoral programs. With a total enrollment of more than 20,000 students, UC is one of the largest and fastest growing private universities in Kentucky and is devoted to preparing students for the future through hands-on, experiential learning and research. The University of the Cumberlands does not illegally discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, sex, disability, age, religion, genetic information, veteran status, because a person is a smoker or nonsmoker, or any other basis on which the University is prohibited from discrimination under local, state, or federal law, in its employment or in the provision of its services, including but not limited to its programs and activities, admissions, educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other University -administered programs. In order to fulfill its purpose, the University may legally discriminate on the basis of religion in employment, and the University has sought and been granted exemption from certain regulations promulgated under Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 which conflict with the University’s religious tenets.