Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid CounselorColumbia College - Columbia, SC 29203OverviewPosition Type Full Time Education Level 4 Year Degree Category EducationDescriptionJOB SUMMARYThe role of Financial Aid Counselor is to support students and families in navigating financial aid processes. The Financial Aid Counselor will continuously evaluate students' eligibility, perform initial and adjustments to student financial aid packaging throughout the year and reconcile financial aid provided to students. This Counselor is expected to providing expert advice to ensure students have access to the resources they need while maintaining data integrity and ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations.QualificationsESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:Student Advising: Provide comprehensive counseling to students and families about financial aid options, application procedures, and eligibility requirements.Eligibility Assessment: Verify and assess student applications for compliance with program regulations and institutional policies.Program Coordination: Manage federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs, ensuring effective implementation and compliance.Compliance & Documentation: Maintain up-to-date knowledge of federal and state regulations, ensuring strict adherence in all processes. Keep detailed records and documentation for assigned student cases.Process Improvement: Utilize professional judgment to resolve unique student situations and contribute to the optimization of financial aid processes.Data Management: Ensure data integrity within financial aid systems, utilizing tools such as Jenzabar, PowerFAIDS, and Department of Education software.Outreach & Training: Participate in on-campus and off-campus workshops and training sessions to enhance financial aid awareness and expertise.Collaboration: Work independently and as part of a team to meet office objectives and maintain excellent customer service standards.Seamless student financial services: Work with all student service areas but especially Tuition Accounts to coordinate of aid and billing throughout all stages of awarding, disbursing, refunding &financial clearance.Communications Support: Working with financial aid leadership, assist with developing financial aid communications and financial literacy improvements to support our students completion of financial aid requirements. This includes targeted outreach to various student populations and aid statuses.Other Duties: Perform additional responsibilities as assigned to support the Office of Financial Aid.MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS TO PERFORM WORK:Bachelor's degree or relevant experience in financial aid administrationFamiliarity with federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs.Strong organizational, interpersonal, and communication skills.Ability to handle confidential information with professionalism and discretion.Flexibility to work evenings and weekends as needed.Experience coordinating satisfactory academic progress programs.Exceptional customer service and adaptability in a dynamic environment.Analytical and problem-solving abilities.Preferred:1-2 years of relevant experience in financial aid, higher education, or a related field.Experience with Jenzabar and PowerFAIDS systems.Knowledge of Department of Education software, including EDconnect, COD, FAA Access to CPS Online, and NSLDS.Experience coordinating satisfactory academic progress programs.PHYSICAL DEMANDS:Requires sedentary work that involves walking, standing, lifting, carrying, pushing and pulling some of the time and requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds and the ability to exert up to 10 pounds of force on a recurring basis or routine keyboard operations.WORKING CONDITIONS:Work environment risks exposure to no known environmental hazards.APPLICATION PROCESS:Application review process will start immediately until the position is filled.Interested candidates should complete an online application and upload a cover letter and resume with your online application.EOE M/F/D/V