Financial Aid Specialist-1

University of the Cumberlands; Williamsburg (KY); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

University of the Cumberlands is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor under the Director of Financial Aid to assist in administering Title IV, state, institutional and private funds for students.

The counselor will advise students, parents and prospective students, review applications, determine eligibility, package awards, and collaborate with KHEAA and student employment to support enrollment goals.

Qualifications

• Interpret federal, state and university policies to determine student eligibility for aid.
• Ensure compliance with aid policies and regulations in reviewing applications.
• Review aid applications for completeness and track required documents.
• Review and package awards for grants, loans, and scholarships.
• Counsel students on cost of attendance and funding sources; explain aid programs.

Responsibilities

• Collect and upload items for verification.
• Collaborate with Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority (KHEAA) and students throughout the process.
• Determine initial or recalculated eligibility for federal/state aid programs.
• Make awards based on eligibility, funds, and policies.
• Assist students and families with questions via in-person, phone, email, or other approved means.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Customer service

Policy interpretation

Analytical thinking

Written and verbal communication

Attention to detail

Computer skills (Excel, Word, etc.)

Public speaking

Data interpretation

Knowledge of Federal Title IV

Education

Associate degree or equivalent in finance, management, or communications

Previous financial aid experience (preferred)

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. CURRENT STUDENT or EMPLOYEE? Please log into Workday and use the Career Tile to find and apply to jobs from our internal career sites. Under the general direction of the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor will assist in ensuring the successful administration of Title IV, state, institutional and private funds made available to students in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and employment. This individual must be a dynamic, highly skilled financial aid professional. The successful candidate will provide guidance to students, parents and prospective students regarding financial aid and other pertinent financial counseling; help the financial aid team surpass all expectations; and make recommendations on awarding and procedures to meet University enrollment and customer service goals. The Financial Aid Counselor will facilitate the enrollment of students while maintaining consistency with the University mission, accreditation standards and applicable regulatory guidelines.

Job Information

Duties and Responsibilities

• Interprets federal, state and university policies and regulations to determine student eligibility for federal, state, institutional and private financial assistance.
• Ensure compliance with all financial aid policies, procedures, and regulations when reviewing financial aid applications; exercise professional judgment when interpreting Federal and State regulations for specific student situations as directed.
• Reviews student aid applications for completeness, collects any required documentation, uses electronic tools to notify students of individual requirements and tracks receipt of needed documents.
• Reviews and packages awards and conducts a number of activities necessary for processing, tracking and delivery of grants, loans and scholarships.
• Counsels students regarding cost of attendance, methods of payment and management of financial responsibilities. This includes providing an explanation of financial aid available, the Higher Education Act of 1965, the difference between private and federal loans, the CDR, and explaining students can refuse all or borrow less than the maximum allowed.
• Collects and upload items needed for federally mandated verification process.
• Collaborates with KHEAA (Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority) and student throughout process.
• Determines initial or recalculated eligibility for federal and state aid programs.
• Makes awards for each program based on student eligibility, availability of funds, and institutional awarding policies.
• Collaborates with Student Employment Coordinator to ensure students with a federal work-study award are given the opportunity to earn the award.
• Assist students, prospective students, and families with financial aid questions and concerns in person, over the phone, through email, and other approved means of communication.
• All other duties assigned by the Director of Financial Aid or a superior of the Director of Financial Aid.

Requirements Qualifications Required

• Excellent interpersonal skills to support interaction with students and all levels of personnel.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with and serve students with outstanding customer service
• Ability to interpret and explain policies, procedures and regulations as they pertain to financial aid programs
• Ability to follow detailed instructions and exercise sound judgement in reviewing applications, determining eligibility and evaluating special circumstances
• Analytical skills including the ability to multi-task and independently problem solve
• Strong writing and communication skills
• Attention to detail
• Strong computer skills, proficiency in Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, etc.
• Ability to prepare and deliver public presentations
• Ability to read, interpret, and explain statistical data, technical procedures and governmental regulations
• Knowledge of Federal Title IV programs highly desirable

Education and Experience

• Associates degree or equivalent experience in an area with a focus in finance, management, or communications
• Preferred - Previous financial aid experience
• Preferred - Familiarity with EdConnect, TDClient, NSLDS, COD, and other financial aid systems and pages

Supervisory Responsibilities

• None

Working Environment

• Normal office setting Some evenings and weekends required
• Attends conferences, seminars and trainings

Statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees and are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of responsibilities, duties, and skills required of personnel so classified. Furthermore, this job description does not establish a contract for employment and is subject to change at the discretion of the University of the Cumberlands

Benefits

Yes 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.