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Job Summary:
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Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor position will share in the review and processing of financial aid and scholarships applications relative to federal, state, private, and institutional assistance. This position is directly responsible for receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state, and institutional financial aid. Will determine student eligibility in compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, policies, and procedures. Responsible for counseling students and parents on matters concerning financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, providing necessary information regarding student financial assistance programs, and using professional judgment in considering individual student requests for special consideration, satisfactory academic progress, dependency overrides, and debt management issues. Essential Job Duties: - Accurate and prompt processing of aid (federal and institutional) applications to determine eligibility and award students.
- Counsels students regarding financial assistance programs. Comprehensive knowledge of all programs and specific eligibility criteria is required.
- Determines eligibility of applicants for specific federal and state aid programs administered by the Financial Aid Office.
- Responsible for reconciling funds received from outside organization, state, private, and federal sources.
- Collaborate with other offices and divisions on financial aid awards including divisional scholarships and foundation awards.
- Ensure accurate and complete records on each student reviewed, evaluated, and awarded assistance to document eligibility.
- Determine and monitors student satisfactory academic progress. Review and preps financial aid appeals for Appeal Committee determination. Will prepare appeal decision letters for students.
- Evaluates and document student requests for special consideration of Federal Title IV eligibility. Consider adjustments to applicant data to reflect a change in applicant circumstances. Uses professional judgment guidelines to make adjustments for the appropriate level of eligibility. Send revised award notification to the student.
- Assists with the development and updating of procedures, when necessary, to ensure consistency with changes in federal, state, and institution guidelines.
- Assess student loan debt during any review of student’s financial assistance package. Use knowledge of federal regulations, Financial Aid Office policy guidelines for students with high debt, and professional judgment authority to award or adjust financial assistance. Note in student electronic record and send award notification to the student.
- Process professional judgment requests; collect and review supporting documentation and use regulatory guidance to make decisions accurately reflecting a student’s ability to pay for college.
- Reviews federal, state, and institutional financial assistance payment information to ensure accurate disbursements and assist in reconciliation processes as needed.
- Participate in financial aid presentations at college and high school awareness events, agency settings, and new student orientations as components of outreach efforts to inform current and prospective students.
- Perform work confidentially and professionally.
- Stays current with federal, state, and college financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance in services to students.
- Effectively use interpersonal and communications skills of tact and diplomacy.
- Effectively use organizational and planning skills with attention to detail and follow-through.
- Responsible for over-award resolutions, Return to Title IV calculations, student eligibility determination, and questions regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress review.
- Review and reconcile daily/weekly reports to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.
- Completes agency forms to provide the cost of attendance and award information for eligibility determination.
- Provide guidance to staff concerning policies and procedures relative to financial aid processing.
- Works directly with the Financial Aid Director and/or Financial Aid Officer in resolving loan eligibility issues.
- Works with external agencies to ensure knowledge/accuracy of external funding in terms of over-award prevention.
- Recommends and assists in the analysis and development of enhancements to the financial aid data processing systems.
- Perform outreach communication (phone calls, e-mails, text messages) to current students who need assistance navigating their bills, financial aid renewals, financial aid awards, or missing documentation.
- Provide general office coverage with Customer Service area and assist as needed with other duties.
- Completes all mandatory training and participated in a minimum of two professional development opportunities each year.
- Performs other duties as assigned.
The duties listed in this job description are
intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be
performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them
from the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment to
the position.
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Position Qualifications:
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Minimum Qualifications: Education:
Bachelor’s Degree or equivalent experience Work Experience:
Three years of responsible
financial aid processing experience; however, consideration will be given if
the candidate possesses less than three years’ experience but is currently
functioning in a similar position. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: - Possess a working knowledge of federal regulations that govern financial aid administration
- Skilled in Federal aid verification policies and procedures
- Skilled at independently making sound, professional decisions,
and judgments
- Demonstrated ability to develop and conduct student aid
awareness activities
- Strong knowledge of financial aid systems and application
processing
- Strong technical proficiency, with the ability to analyze and
comprehend technical information and produce technical reports
- Demonstrated ability to efficiently manage a large volume of
applications
- A high degree of accuracy, with strong attention to details
- Ability to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectively
- A high degree of integrity; ability to work in a sensitive,
highly confidential, and professional environment
- Able to perform job functions under moderate levels of stress,
imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, and public/student contact.
- Ability to communicate diplomatically, clearly, and effectively
to exchange information, give/receive instructions, and respond to
inquiries appropriately.
- Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to a multicultural
environment to work and communicate effectively with all students,
faculty, staff, and community partners.
- Demonstrated knowledge of office technologies including but not
limited to: office computers, fax machines, scanners, internet, Microsoft
Office (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).
- Accurate typing/data entry skills and demonstrated ability to
work with attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and collaborate within a team
environment.
- Exhibit problem-solving skills beyond a set of instructions and
adapt to changes when necessary.
- Ability to make appropriate recommendations based on logical
and justifiable reasoning.
- Ability to use analytical and critical thinking skills to
interpret written policies and procedures.
- Passion for assisting customers and
representing the OSU-OKC and OSU brand with positivity and
professionalism.
- Demonstrated history of ethical and
professional behavior.
Preferred Qualifications: - Advance
computer literacy
- Proficiency
with Ellucian Banner software.
- Experience working with the financial aid process
- Strong
working knowledge with Department of Education Software
- Public speaking experience
Working Conditions: - Will work a flexible schedule, some evenings or weekends in
extended enrollment periods.
- Work will be performed in an office environment with a significant amount of public contact, in person, by telephone, via email, and various communication platforms.
Physical Requirements:
- During peak enrollment and processing, one must handle a high
volume of phone calls and student inquiries.
- Duties
require extended periods of sitting, talking and listening.
- Requires possible lifting of up to 25 lbs. (If an object weights more than 45 lbs., OSU-Oklahoma City requires this to be a two-person lift).
The work environment and physical demands described here
are representative of those required by an employee to perform the essential
functions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.
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Oklahoma State University (OSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, OSU conducts pre-employment background checks on final candidates. Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
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