Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

The Financial Aid Department is recruiting for one full time Financial Aid Counselor. Under the guidance of the Director of Financial Aid, this position supports the day-to-day operations of the Office of Financial Aid by serving as the primary lead in the coordination of communication and student service efforts in the delivery of financial aid related information to prospective and current students, leading outreach, and providing excellent customer service to students for Victoria College. This position advises students and their families on matters concerning financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, debt management, and financial literacy. This position conducts verifications, uses professional judgment on student requests and overrides, and reviews SAP and federal, state, and/or other aid eligibility.

Duties & Responsibilities

Guidance and Counseling

• Meet with current and prospective students and parents to assist with understanding their financial aid options and eligibility. Utilize Banner, COD, NSLDS, FAFSA Partner Portal, and other online applications as needed to research and determine aid eligibility.
• Counsel virtual or walk-in visitors, answering phone calls, emails and chats by providing information regarding federal, state institutional and departmental regulations covering all federal financial aid, scholarship information, account information, etc.
• Provide excellent customer service by responding to student and parent email and/or phone inquiries in a timely manner to provide clarification on questions and documents needed.
• Counsel students by explaining procedures required to complete all steps in the financial aid process, including completing the FAFSA, accepting loans, completing Entrance/Exit Counseling, signing the MPN, requesting SAP Appeals, etc.
• Counsel students on Satisfactory Academic Progress and the appeal process. Assist with running the SAP processes in Banner after each semester.
• On a rotating basis, serve as the front desk representative responsible for greeting walk-in students, addressing financial aid concerns and responding to student emails.
• Identify the source of complex financial aid issues, determining the appropriate course of action to provide an effective solution, and ensuring follow-through to resolution in a timely manner.
• Review and render a decision on requests for professional judgment relating to changes in FAFSA data elements, dependency override requests, and special circumstances.

Financial Literacy Outreach & Communications

• Represent the department at special events such as high school college nights, orientations, financial aid workshops, etc. Present financial aid information to students, parents, high school guidance counselors, and college constituents.
• Participates in public speaking engagements on campus, at college fairs, high schools, financial aid nights, community groups, and other similar forums.
• Coordinates, develops, and implements communication and outreach campaigns designed to raise awareness of Financial Aid programs and services offered to students in collaboration with Victoria College's Marketing and Communication teams.
• Collaborate with other departments across the college in committees, meetings, and efforts to better serve our students as needed.
• Co-leads in the development of the financial aid outreach program to include scheduling seminars and workshops, facilities, presenters, and promoting of the events.
• Co-leads in the preparation of and presents information regarding financial aid opportunities for various campus groups, high school students and parents at meetings, group discussions, and recruitment sessions

Financial Aid Data Analytics, Reporting, Compliance, and Technical Support

• Assist in financial aid processing by evaluating financial aid applications, perform verifications, and award financial aid based on federal and state regulations as well as institutional policies. Maintains meticulous accuracy and thoroughness in aid file documentation
• Collects and analyzes financial data on students to determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, state, institutional, and/or donor guidelines. Performs the CPOS process each day and analyzes data. Processes V4 verification (Reporting Identity Verification Results & HS Completion)
• Analyzes various system generated reports such as grades and enrollment status or awards status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines
• Assists with the management of the financial aid software system. Enters into and retrieves data from variety of software programs (financial aid, student services, Department of Education, etc.) Examples include but not limited to : Loading and processing Institutional Student Information Record (ISIR) data from the Department of Education.
• Review and process disbursements for funds, complete transfer monitoring, and review students who have other credentials for accuracy.
• Participates in professional development activities to include researching and reading applicable literature, participating in applicable webinars and attending relevant conference/seminars in order to remain current on all Financial Aid state and federal rules, regulations and key mission critical updates.
• Performs all other duties as assigned by the Director of Financial Aid

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required or five years similar work experience in lieu of degree.
• Three years' experience in Higher Ed Financial Aid, a financial institution, and/or a related transferrable skill set preferred.
• Strong analytical and computer proficiency skills are necessary. Experience with Ellucian Banner system and/or CRMs preferred.
• Knowledge of and/or experience working with federal and state financial aid programs and regulations preferred.
• Required skills to multi-task in a high-stress environment.
• Attention to detail and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently and make sound judgments
• Ability to analyze, interpret and apply complicated and detailed federal and state regulations
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and public speaking skills
• Ability to counsel and handle difficult situations with confidentiality, sensitivity, and responsiveness to student needs.
• Strong ability to take initiative and follow through to completion all assignments and projects in a timely manner with demonstrated ability to prioritize, organize, and collaborate professionally among staff and management.
• Commitment to college's goal of providing excellent service to all students and fellow staff members

Physical Demands

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands and fingers to handle controls, key pads, etc. Will be required to sit and reach with hands and arms as well as, sit, stand and walk. The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 15 pounds while loading office supplies and paper. Occasionally, position will include physical duties such as: extensive walking, standing, climbing stairs, and carrying boxes of documents weighing up to 25 lbs.

Specific vision abilities required include close vision, some color vision, and the ability to adjust focus from documents to computer screen. Hearing of light to moderate sound is required by this job. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Benefits

The following benefits apply to all full-time positions scheduled to work 30 hours or more each week. These full-time positions are also eligible to participate in our TRS retirement plan. Victoria College offers an excellent benefit package for eligible employees that includes group insurance as well as a generous amount of paid time off:

Group Insurance Health insurance

• Full-time employees: 100% VC paid; employee pays 50% for dependents
• Coverage for the new employee/dependents is effective on the 1st of the month following a 60-day waiting period

Optional benefits – available at group rates

• Coverage for the new employee/dependents is effective on the 1st of the month following hire date
• Flexible Spending Accounts – health and dependent care
• Dental
• Vision
• Term Life
• Short and long-term disability
• Accidental death & dismemberment
• As an added benefit, Victoria College issues a credit of up to $30 each month to full-time employees to help offset the cost of premiums

Retirement Participation in the Teacher Retirement System is mandatory (ORP option for eligible employees)

• Currently, the employee contribution is 8.25%. The state and Victoria College, together, contribute 8.25%
• Social security is deducted each pay period
• Payroll deduction for 403-b and 457 deferred compensation plans are available

Other Benefits

• Workers compensation insurance
• Direct payroll deposit
• Tuition waiver for benefits eligible employees and their dependents through