Student Services Specialist - 2912

University of North Carolina Pembroke; Pembroke (NC); On-site; USD 40,000 - 42,000; Full time

Job summary

UNC Pembroke is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor to assist students and families in identifying available financial aid options and maximizing eligible awards. The counselor will review federal, state, and institutional aid programs, guiding students through the FAFSA process and ensuring compliance with policy requirements.

The role involves counseling in person, by phone, or via verified email, with responsibilities spanning eligibility, SAP policies, and loan/grant calculations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree or equivalent combination of training and experience.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students about federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and eligibility.
• Explain Satisfactory Academic Progress policies to students and parents.
• Advise on how changes to citizenship, Selective Service, Social Security numbers, and federal loan limits affect aid eligibility.
• Determine loan and grant amounts for subsidized and unsubsidized loans and manage aid awarding within guidelines.

Education

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent

Tools

Banner

Microsoft Office

Campus Logic

I-9 Software

FAFSA on the Web

NSLDS

Job description

Position Details

Student Services Specialist - 2912

Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable) and credit history check (if applicable). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 as a part of the online application process.

UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. UNC Pembroke is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.

Division: Enrollment Management

Department: Financial Aid

Working Title: Financial Aid Counselor

Vacancy Type: Probationary Permanent Full Time

Min T/E Requirements: Bachelor's Degree; or equivalent combination of training and experience. All degrees must be received from appropriately accredited institutions.

FTE: 1

Position Overall Competency Level: J

Recruitment Range: $40,047 - $42,397

Anticipated Hiring Range: $42,397

Position #: 2912

FLSA Status: Non-Exempt

Months per year: 12

Work Schedule =e.g. 8-500: 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Work Schedule Type: Monday - Friday

Is this a grant funded position? No

If yes, please indicate the end date of the grant.: N/A

Primary Purpose of Organization Unit: To assist students and parents in obtaining the financial assistance necessary for a college education at UNCP.

Primary Purpose of the Position: The counselor will be responsible for counseling students about the amount of financial aid that they can receive, including eligibility for federal, state and institutional grants and loans. Each counselor will be responsible for counseling a portion of the student population on aid which is divided by alphabet. Part of this job includes counseling student about Satisfactory Academic Progress. The counselor will be familiar with both the academic and financial aid policies regarding satisfactory academic progress and be able to communicate those clearly to students and parents. Similarly, the counselor will be able to advise students on a number of other issues which may impact their ability to receive financial aid. This include information on how to resolve citizenship issues with the Department of Homeland Security, issues regarding Selective Service Registration, issues regarding Social Security numbers as well as issues regarding Title IV over payments and exceeding Federal loan limits. Counseling can take place in person, over the phone or by the students verified email address. The counselor will also explain to a student the circumstances when an aid ward is reduced and why. The counselor will also know how to determine the amount of loan and grant that a student can receive as a well as how to determine the amounts of both subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. The person in this position must work with various software applications including Banner, Microsoft Office, Campus Logic and I-9 Software. In addition, the position will access the FAFSA website, including FAFSA on the web for Financial Aid Professionals, to view, change and enter information on a student's aid application. The counselor will also utilize NSLDS, which is a Federal Database used for tracking the total amount of Title IV loans and grants that a student has received over the course of their academic career. Awarding: The counselor will be responsible for awarding financial aid according to state and federal guidelines. The counselor will have to make independent decisions about aid eligibility and must be familiar with the rules governing each federal or state program. These include but are not limited to rules for Pell, SEOG, TEACH, SMART and ACG grant awarding, as well as the rules for Federal subsidized and unsubsidized, parent and alternative loan awards. The counselor needs to be familiar with the rules governing all of the state grant programs including the SSIG, EARN, NC Scholarship, Golden Leaf, Teaching Fellows, Merits Scholarships, Prospective Teacher and Prospective Nursing Scholarships. The counselor will also be familiar with institutional endowed scholarships and awards. Professional judgment: Each counselor will have the discretion to make independent judgments regarding a student's financial aid. The counselor has the ability, under Federal law, to alter a student's FAFSA form, if they feel there are extenuating circumstances which warrant that decision. These include family emergencies such as the loss of a job or out-of-the ordinary medical bills which insurance does not pay. The counselor will gather the documentation from the student regarding these circumstances and make a decision about aid eligibility and process the decisions both in Banner and on the FAFSA on the Web website. Any other duties assigned by the Director.

Job Description: The counselor will be responsible for counseling students about the amount of financial aid that they can receive, including eligibility for federal, state and institutional grants and loans. Each counselor will be responsible for counseling a portion of the student population on aid which is divided by alphabet. Part of this job includes counseling student about Satisfactory Academic Progress. The counselor will be familiar with both the academic and financial aid policies regarding satisfactory academic progress and be able to communicate those clearly to students and parents. Similarly, the counselor will be able to advise students on a number of other issues which may impact their ability to receive financial aid. This include information on how to resolve citizenship issues with the Department of Homeland Security, issues regarding Selective Service Registration, issues regarding Social Security numbers as well as issues regarding Title IV over payments and exceeding Federal loan limits. Counseling can take place in person, over the phone or by the students verified email address. The counselor will also explain to a student the circumstances when an aid ward is reduced and why. The counselor will also know how to determine the amount of loan and grant that a student can receive as a well as how to determine the amounts of both subsidized and unsubsidized Federal Stafford Loan. The person in this position must work with various software applications including Banner, Microsoft Office, Campus Logic and I-9 Software. In addition, the position will access the FAFSA website, including FAFSA on the web for Financial Aid Professionals, to view, change and enter information on a student's aid application. The counselor will also utilize NSLDS, which is a Federal Database used for tracking the total amount of Title IV loans and grants that a student has received over the course of their academic career. Awarding: The counselor will be responsible for awarding financial aid according to state and federal guidelines. The counselor will have to make independent decisions about aid eligibility and must be familiar with the rules governing each federal or state program. These include but are not limited to rules for Pell, SEOG, TEACH, SMART and ACG grant awarding, as well as the rules for Federal subsidized and unsubsidized, parent and alternative loan awards. The counselor needs to be familiar with the rules governing all of the state grant programs including the SSIG, EARN, NC Scholarship, Golden Leaf, Teaching Fellows, Merits Scholarships, Prospective Teacher and Prospective Nursing Scholarships. The counselor will also be familiar with institutional endowed scholarships and awards. Professional judgment: Each counselor will have the discretion to make independent judgments regarding a student's financial aid. The counselor has the ability, under Federal law, to alter a student's FAFSA form, if they feel there are extenuating circumstances which warrant that decision. These include family emergencies such as the loss of a job or out-of-the ordinary medical bills which insurance does not pay. The counselor will gather the documentation from the student regarding these circumstances and make a decision about aid eligibility and process the decisions both in Banner and on the FAFSA on the Web website. This role serves as the primary liaison between the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships and New Student and Family Connections. The liaison is responsible for developing and delivering clear, timely communication to parents and families regarding financial aid. Key duties include creating monthly financial aid updates, coordinating messaging across departments, and ensuring families receive accurate information to support students' financial readiness. This position will also answer phone in the phone que and also assist families and students in the FA Service Center. Any other duties assigned by the Director.

Work schedule may include evenings and weekends as necessary to support enrollment management initiatives, recruitment events, student services, and other departmental operational needs.

Management Preference: Customer Service Experience (Preferred)

Lic or Certification required by statute or regulation: None

Posting Information

Job Opening Date: 08/25/2026

Job Closing Date: 09/09/2026

Posting Category: Administrative Support

Posting Number: SPA00752

Quick Link to Posting: https://jobs.uncp.edu/postings/13648

Special Instructions to Applicants: This position is subject to the successful completion of an employment background check. An employment background check includes a criminal background check, employment verification, reference checks, license verification (if applicable) and credit history check (if applicable). In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire. New employees are paid only by direct deposit to the financial institution of their choice. Candidates claiming Veterans Preference must attach a copy of their DD-214 as a part of the online application process. UNC Pembroke is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University prohibits discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities, and prohibits discrimination against all individuals based on their age, race, color, genetic information, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression and national origin. UNC Pembroke is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and seeks priority referrals of protected veterans for our openings.

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. CV/Resume
2. Cover Letter

Optional Documents

Posting Specific Questions

1. How did you hear about this employment opportunity?
   • Agency Referral
   • American Librarian Association (ALA)
   • Association of Fundraising Professionals
   • BlacksInHigherEd.com
   • Career Builder
   • Chronicle of Higher Education
   • Cosida
   • CUPA HR
   • Disabled in Higher Ed
   • Disability Website (Other)
   • Educause
   • Glassdoor
   • HigherEdJobs
   • Indeed
   • Inside Higher Ed
   • Journal of Blacks in Higher Education
   • LinkedIn
   • Monster
   • NACUBO
   • NativeAmericansInHigherEd.com
   • Native Hire
   • NCAA Market
   • NC Works Online / One Stop Center
   • Newspaper
   • Personal Referral
   • Placement Exchange
   • SACUBO
   • Society of Human Resources Management (SHRM)
   • StudentAffairs.com
   • UNC Collaborative Website
   • UNC Pembroke Online Employment System
   • Veterans Advantage Jobs & Career Network
   • Veteran Website (Other)
   • VeteransInHigherEd.com
   • Vocational Rehab
   • Women in Higher Education
   • Website - Other
2. Have you worked in a higher education environment before? If so, for how long and in what capacity?

   (Open Ended Question)