Financial Aid Counselor/Receptionist

Interfolio, Inc; Livingston (AL); On-site; USD 36,000 - 48,000; Full time

Job summary

University of West Alabama in Livingston, AL, seeks a Financial Aid Assistant to provide services to students, explain policies, and guide applicants through scholarships, grants, and aid programs.

The role emphasizes customer service, counseling families, processing awards, handling inquiries via email and Zoom, and collaborating with the Financial Aid Office to ensure compliance with federal and institutional guidelines.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• At least 1 year of related full-time experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and basic data entry.

Responsibilities

• Provide Financial Aid information and guidance to students and families.
• Counsel and advise students and parents on the Financial Aid process.
• Award student aid based on eligibility and adjust packages as needed.
• Maintain front office and customer service standards.
• Respond to inquiries via email and Zoom Zendesk for One Stop.
• Coordinate communication with the financial aid email account.
• Assist with walk-in counseling for students seeking aid assistance.
• Process incoming mail related to financial aid and routing as appropriate.
• Provide information on federal, state, and institutional guidelines for aid.
• Collaborate on outreach events and financial aid office operations.
• Cross-train with staff to support all financial aid processes.

Skills

Customer service

Communication

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Email systems

Job description

University of West Alabama: Enrollment Management and Student Success: Financial Aid

Location

University of West Alabama

Open Date

Sep 24, 2026

Description

The Financial Aid Assistant is responsible for providing financial aid services to students, resolving student problems with financial aid issues, and providing application information for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid programs. This position will ensure student understanding of policies and procedures related to financial aid.

Responsibilities: Within the scope of college policies and procedures, this position:

• Performs exceptional customer service for students, employees, and the public by responding to inquiries concerning financial aid eligibility while ensuring students understand all policies and procedures related to their financial aid records.
• Responsible for counseling and advising students and parents on the Financial Aid process.
• Awards student aid based on independent assessment of students' eligibility needs and interprets and modifies computer-generated award packages as needed.
• Maintain the front office area while modeling excellent customer service, organizational details, and professionalism.
• Maintain all Zoom Zendesk operations regarding answering phone calls and tickets from One Stop.
• Responsible for responding to the needs of students, the general public, and staff by coordinating all communication with the financial aid email account.
• Responsible for handling all visitors/students for “on-demand/walk-in” student aid counseling.
• Responsible for retrieving, opening, processing, date entering, and routing all incoming mail.
• Provides general information to prospective and returning students regarding the financial aid application process and federal, state, and institutional guidelines.
• Knowledge of federal, state, and local laws, regulations, and guidelines related to assigned work.
• Participates and collaborates in outreach activities and special events for the Financial Aid Office.
• Will be required to have knowledge of the financial aid processes and counseling techniques utilized by our institution.
• Cross-trains with other staff as backup for all financial aid processes.
• Any additional duties/responsibilities assigned by the Director of Financial Aid.

FLSA: Non-Exempt

Qualifications

Required:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited University.
• A minimum of one year full-time equivalent experience related to the duties described for this position.
• Experience with Microsoft Office.

Other Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to manage time effectively, set priorities, resolve problems independently, and make informed, appropriate decisions.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team.
• Strong written and verbal skills, with attention to detail.
• Ability to handle stressful situations with professionalism.
• Ability to analyze problems, identify solutions, and take appropriate action to resolve problems using independent judgment and decision‑making processes.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with other departmental staff, faculty, students, and the public.

The University of West Alabama does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, hearing status, personal appearance, color, sex, pregnancy, political affiliation, creed, ethnicity, national origin (including ancestry), citizenship status, physical or mental disability (including perceived disability), age, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, veteran or military status, predisposing genetic characteristics, domestic violence victim status, or any other protected category under applicable local, state, or federal law, including protections for those opposing discrimination or participating in any grievance process on campus, with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, or other human rights agencies.