Financial Aid Counselor/VA School Certifying Official

Louisiana State University; Alexandria (LA); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) is seeking a VA Education Benefits Specialist to join the LSUA ASA - Financial Aid team. The role supports veterans’ education benefits, certifies applicable courses, and maintains student eligibility records in accordance with state and federal regulations.

You will manage enrollment status, monitor progress, process awards (CH33, CH31, Pell, etc.), and ensure privacy under FERPA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 1-3 years of experience in higher education or related field.
• Experience providing customer service to students and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and data-entry accuracy.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and FERPA compliance.

Responsibilities

• Keep VA informed of enrollment status for students with VA benefits.
• Certify courses that apply to the student's program.
• Monitor student progress, attendance, and conduct as required.
• Maintain VA student records and protect privacy per FERPA.
• Process VA awards such as CH31, CH33, Pell, and State aid.

Skills

Customer service

Attention to detail

Policy interpretation

Data entry

FERPA compliance

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PowerCampus

PowerFaids

VA Enrollment Manager

Excel

Outlook

Job description

Louisiana State University of Alexandria (LSUA) is a publicly supported institution that provides undergraduate level college education to the citizens of Central Louisiana. The university is a unit of the LSU System and operates under the auspices of the Louisiana Board of Regents. LSUA is located in Rapides Parish.

Position Type: Professional / Unclassified. Department: LSUA ASA - Financial Aid. Full time. Work Location: LSU - Alexandria (Abrams Hall). Requisition ID: R00121546. Posted October 16, 2026.

Responsibilities include

Reporting

• Keep VA informed of the enrollment status of students receiving VA education benefits.
• Ensure that only those courses that apply to the student's program are certified.
• Monitor student grades to ensure the student is making satisfactory progress, and report probation and termination as needed.
• Monitor attendance (when required), and report violations of school attendance policy.
• Monitor student conduct and report when student is suspended or dismissed for unsatisfactory conduct.
• Notify school supervisors of internal problems that may affect timely reporting of enrollment or changes to enrollment of students receiving VA education benefits.
• Notify the State Approving Agency (SAA) of any substantive program, policy, and approval criteria changes.
• Notify the VA Education Liaison Representative (ELR) of any changes to SCO staff.

Maintain records of VA students and make all records available for inspection by DVA or the SAA

• Retain file (hardcopy or electronic) of certification documentation, records of academic progress, degree plan pursuit, prior credit transcripts and evaluation, registration documentation, tuition and fee charges, school application, enrollment agreements, and other applicable student documentation.
• Maintain records for at least three years following the student's last date of attendance.
• Ensure that records are kept in a safe place and that the privacy of VA students is protected.

Keep up-to-date on state and federal regulations and benefits

• Read and maintain VA advisories and bulletins.
• Keep up-to-date on state regulations and state education benefits for veterans and eligible persons.
• Attend training opportunities.

Be knowledgeable about school policies and programs

• The school's academic programs, what are the currently offered programs, what programs have been recently discontinued, or are planned to be discontinued.
• The school's academic policies and approval criteria such as satisfactory academic progress, academic probation, suspension, readmission, prior credit, etc.

Assist students receiving VA education benefits in

• Applying for state and VA education benefits.
• Identifying applicable resources for student success.
• Inquiring about payment and benefit problems.
• Ensuring that VA students are aware of their responsibility to the school.
• Understanding how progress, conduct, registration and attendance can impact benefits and cause student debt.

Process student awards

Process student awards, to include, but not limited to, Veteran Readiness and Employment (CH31) and the Post 9/11GI Bill (CH33), Federal Title IV aid, such as Pell Grant, SEOG, Direct Student Loans, State aid, such as Title 29 Tuition Exemption, TOPS, GO Grant, and Institutional and private aid, such as scholarships and exemptions.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution.
• 1-3 years of experience in higher education, student services, financial aid, registrar, veteran's affairs, admissions, or related field.
• Experience providing customer service to students and external stakeholders.
• Strong attention to detail and data-entry accuracy.
• Experience interpreting and applying policies, regulations, and procedures.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, particularly Excel, Word, and Outlook.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidential student records in compliance with FERPA.
• Ability to manage multiple deadlines and responsibilities in a fast-paced environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as a VA School Certifying Official.
• Knowledge of GI Bill education benefits and VA enrollment certification requirements.
• Experience with VA Enrollment Manager.
• Experience with PowerCampus, PowerFaids, or other student information systems.
• Knowledge of federal Title IV financial aid regulations.
• Experience working with military-affiliated students, veterans, reservists, and dependents.
• Experience conducting compliance reviews, audits, or records management activities.

Office Hours: Eight (8) hours per day, Monday-Friday, 40 hours a week. Additional hours worked as needed.

Special Instructions: Attach a Resume/CV, a cover letter, 3 references and unofficial transcripts. Official transcripts and a background check will be required upon hire.

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

LSUA is an Equal Opportunity Employer.