Student Financial Services Counselor

Oklahoma Baptist University; Shawnee (OK); On-site; USD 42,000 - 54,000; Full time

Job summary

Oklahoma Baptist University seeks a Financial Aid Counselor to guide current and prospective students through the FAFSA, scholarships, and payment options. This entry-level role emphasizes clear communication and outstanding customer service to help families understand costs and available resources.

You will ensure compliance with federal and state regulations, award aid, maintain accurate records, and assist with payment plans.

Qualifications

• Knowledge of principles of personal service.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to use computer including Word, Excel, and Teams.
• Ability to understand and explain complex policies clearly.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and families concerning the costs of college and the student aid programs available to help meet those costs.
• Advise of federal, state, and university application processes and financial aid requirements.
• Explain and interpret student loan options, applications, and repayment requirements.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of financial aid applications. Determine student eligibility for federal, state, and university aid programs.
• Award federal and state aid, strictly adhering to the respective regulations and guidelines.
• Maintain accurate records on computerized data system and general internal reports as needed using system report writer, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Monitor student accounts receivable, help students set up payment plans, assess late charges, and contact students concerning past due payments.

Skills

Customer service

Communication skills

Problem solving

Policy explanation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

Job description

OBU transforms lives by equipping students to pursue academic excellence, integrate faith with all areas of knowledge, engage a diverse world, and live worthy of the high calling of God in Christ.

Expectations for all Employees

• Demonstrate commitment to the essentials of the Christian faith.
• Commit to the mission and vision of Oklahoma Baptist University.
• Treat people with dignity and respect.
• Build relationships on honesty, integrity, and trust.
• Strive for excellence through teamwork, leadership, and a strong work ethic.
• Manage human and financial resources wisely and efficiently.

Purpose:

Counsel current and returning students on the Financial Aid process and questions related to the FAFSA, scholarships, student loans, and payment plan options. Ensure the student understands the cost and all available resources for paying to attend OBU. Ensure compliance with federal, state, and university regulations related to financial aid. This is an entry-level position that requires strong communication and customer service skills.

Essential Functions:

• Counsel students and families concerning the costs of college and the student aid programs available to help meet those costs
• Advise of federal, state, and university application processes and financial aid requirements.
• Explain and interpret student loan options, applications, and repayment requirements.
• Verify accuracy and completeness of financial aid applications. Determine student eligibility for federal, state, and university aid programs.
• Award federal and state aid, strictly adhering to the respective regulations and guidelines
• Maintain accurate records on computerized data system and general internal reports as needed using system report writer, spreadsheets, and word processing.
• Monitor student accounts receivable, help students set up payment plans, assess late charges, and contact students concerning past due payments.

Other Duties:

• Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications:

• Knowledge of principles of personal service.
• Skill in conveying information effectively, actively looking for ways to help people, using logic and reasoning to solve problems, identifying complex problems, developing and evaluating options, and implementing solutions.
• Ability to use personal computer including working knowledge of applications such as Word, Excel, and TEAMs.
• Ability to understand and explain complex policies and procedures in a clear and easy to understand way.

Education:

Required: Bachelor's degree

Experience:

Preferred: Prefer candidates with experience in a college financial aid office with significant student contact.

Equipment:

• Standard office equipment.

Special Requirements:

• Must be a member of a local evangelical* Christian church.

*Evangelical is a broad term referring to segment within Christianity which maintains the authority of the Bible and the belief in salvation by faith in Jesus alone.

OBU Benefits Summary:

OBU understands that our employees are our most valuable assets when fulfilling our mission. We strive to offer an extensive array of benefits and opportunities for employees to choose from. Full-time employees benefit from the generous OBU provision of premium contributions for nationwide family-friendly Health and Dental coverages along with free life insurance that includes accidental death and dismemberment equal to an employee’s base salary. OBU provides access to optional employee-paid ancillary benefits like vision, hospitalization, critical illness, accident, additional employee-paid family life insurance coverages, and education benefits at OBU and other institutions of higher education. There is generous paid time off that includes annual granted vacation time, accrued sick leave, six annual holidays, and week-long breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas that include energy conservation days. For all employees working at least half-time, there is an employer matching opportunity for retirement investments in a 403(b)(9) plan administered by Guide Stone. There are numerous other perks and opportunities for OBU employees including FREE family membership to the OBU Recreation and Wellness Center or RAWC, Global outreach university mission trips, cafeteria discounts, and parking privileges to name a few. For more information about the current OBU employee benefits and opportunities, please contact the Human Resources staff at [e-mail].