Financial Aid Counselor 1

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor 1 position is responsible for determining eligibility for all aspects of federal, state, institutional, and other sources of student financial aid processed, and works closely with students and other parties who play a role in providing educational support for students. The Financial Aid Counselor 1 will support the persistence and retention of students receiving financial aid benefits through processing of required paperwork in a timely manner, advocating on behalf of the student when it is needed, and supporting the goals of the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs and the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Responsibilities

COUNSELING: Counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility and advise on aid programs, distribution of aid, and renewal requirements. Counsel students on how enrollment affects aid amount awarded and how withdrawing or not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) affects future aid eligibility. Advise students and families regarding non-aid options (i.e., payment plan, etc.) to pay institutional charges by the payment deadline.

CUSTOMER SERVICE: Assist students and families with the completion and submission of required documentation. Work with students to identify and mitigate circumstances that might hinder their academic progress. Respond to student inquiries and administer student outreach regarding outstanding or incomplete applications for aid. Work with AU departments regarding admission, registration, academic advising, and account payment regarding aid available for students. Serve as backup for the front desk and participate in financial aid presentations and programs as needed.

RECORD MAINTENANCE: Use problem-solving skills to determine resolutions to records not loading or transmitting to the Department of Education (DOE) or state agency and/or Banner. Use critical thinking skills to determine aid eligibility if the student has flags on the account that may warrant revisions to FAFSA data or changes to student dependency status. Revise any inaccurate data and report corrections to DOE or the state agency. Collect and maintain proper documentation for audits.

FINANCIAL AID PROCESSING: Assist with the review and processing of student aid for accuracy and to ensure compliance with the federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures related to student financial aid programs. Responsible for technical and various system functions for the processing of student aid.

VARIOUS PROJECTS: Assist with various financial aid projects and functions that align with the university and department's mission. Collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of tasks, student support, and adherence to compliance and best practice standards.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of financial aid or related work experience, such as higher education or customer service required.

Preferred Qualifications

Prior experience with Department of Education software (i.e., National Student Loan Data Systems [NSLDS], Ed Connect, etc.), FA module of Ellucian Banner, and CampusLogic.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

KNOWLEDGE
Willingness to learn Ellucian Banner SIS, CampusLogic, Technolutions Slate CRM, and other databases/interfaces.

SKILLS
Excellent interpersonal, written, and verbal communication skills.
Detail-oriented with strong prioritization and organizational skills.
Verbal Skills: Essential for communicating effectively with students and supporters, explaining financial aid options, and resolving inquiries clearly.
Memory for Detail: Crucial for processing and reviewing numerous financial aid documents, ensuring accuracy in awarding aid, and maintaining records.
Manual Dexterity: Required for handling documents, entering data, and navigating software systems to process financial aid applications.
Hearing: Important for listening to students' concerns or issues during counseling sessions, ensuring a clear understanding, and addressing financial aid needs.
Cognitive Ability: Necessary for interpreting financial aid regulations, reviewing student information, and making accurate determinations based on policies.

ABILITIES
Ability to maintain confidentiality.
Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, faculty, and other constituents.
Willingness to travel to provide training and education.
Demonstrated ability to work with a wide range of people.
Demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively solve problems and initiate and implement projects independently.
Ability to counsel students and provide excellent customer service.
Ability to comply with federal and state statutes and regulations regarding eligibility and distribution of student financial aid.
Professional judgment and critical thinking skills for interpreting and applying federal and/or state regulations and guidelines governing the awarding of financial aid to students.
Knowledge of and ability to comply with Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) laws.
Ability to prioritize tasks, detail-oriented, and possess a teamwork spirit.

Shift/Salary/Benefits

Shift: Days; M-F
Pay Band: B5
Salary: $17.88/hourly-$20.61/hourly
Salary to be commensurate with qualifications of the selected candidate within the established range (generally minimum-midpoint) of the position
Recruitment Period: Until Filled

Augusta University offers a variety of benefits to full-time benefits-eligible employees and some of our half-time (or more) employees.

Benefits that may be elected could include health insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan), as well as earned vacation time, sick leave, and 13 paid holidays.

Also, our full-time employees who have been employed with us successfully for more than 6 months can be considered for the Tuition Assistance Program.

Location

Summerville Campus
2500 Walton Way, Augusta, GA 30904