Financial Aid Counselor

Position Function:


Responsible for providing financial aid data entry, while helping students/parents seek assistance and reviewing applicant files to determining eligibility for Title IV assistance.


Salary Grade : 12


Please see Staff Compensation Structure or Skilled Crafts and Service Maintenance Compensation Schedule for salary ranges. For salary grade UC, these positions are "Unclassified" and salary ranges are determined by the hiring department.


Essential Duties and Responsibilities:


1. Meet with students on a regular basis and provide guidance on the process of completing the financial aid application for federal (Title IV), state aid and institutional aid programs
2. Review and analyze student submitted documents for verification purposes
3. Review and complete needs analysis to determine award amounts for individual students based on federal, state, and institutional regulations
4. Process, review and reconcile student loans
5. Work with students who are not meeting satisfactory academic progress standards for financial aid purposes
6. Provides financial aid counseling to students and parents on the consequences of fully or partially withdrawing from a semester
7. Reviews and accesses financial aid information, including electronic data and reports, to determine Federal Title IV aid eligibility of students who have withdrawn, received an F grade, or have repeated course work.
8. Stays abreast of all federal, state, and institutional rules and regulations applicable to determine eligibility for aid of students
9. Provides input into the development and revision of all letters, memoranda, and other documents used to communicate with students, parents, faculty and staff.
10. Provides student financial aid presentations for student groups and/or functions sponsored by high schools and community colleges, and other groups.
11. Participates in student orientation and financial aid presentation events.
12. Participates in staff development and financial aid training events.
13. Performs related duties as assigned.

Supervisory Responsibility:
None


Minimum Qualifications:


Education Bachelor's Degree


Experience (yrs.) Two or more years of financial aid or business/accounting experience


Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:


1. Strong, verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
2. Strong analytical and organizational skills.
3. Ability to learn, interpret and apply complex federal financial aid regulations.
4. Ability to utilize computer skills in an automated work environment.
5. Ability to provide excellent customer service.


Working Conditions and Physical Effort


• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.
• No or very limited physical effort required


Instructions for Applying:


Link to apply:


All applicants must apply online at and attach a cover letter, current resume or curriculum vitae, and the complete contact information for at least three professional references.


Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:


Mississippi State University is an equal opportunity institution. Discrimination is prohibited in university employment, programs or activities based on race, color, ethnicity, sex, pregnancy, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, status as a U.S. veteran, or any other status to the extent protected by applicable law. Questions about equal opportunity programs or compliance should be directed to the Office of Civil Rights Compliance, 231 Famous Maroon Band Street, P.O. 6044, Mississippi State, MS 39762, View phone number on click.appcast.io.


What do I do if I need an accommodation?


In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at tel: View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io .


If you have any questions regarding this policy, contact the Department of Human Resources Management at View phone number on click.appcast.io or View email address on click.appcast.io . Upon request, sections of this job listing are available in large print, and readers are available to assist the visually impaired.