Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

Arkansas State University-Newport

The Financial Aid Counselor is a front-line student services staff member, focused on supporting enrollment, persistence, and completion by helping students successfully navigate the financial aid process. This position provides proactive, student-centered counseling on federal, state, institutional, and private financial aid programs, with an emphasis on access, affordability, and compliance with Title IV regulations.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Provide individualized financial aid counseling to prospective and enrolled community college students and their families in person, by phone, and electronically, with a focus on removing financial barriers to enrollment and retention.
• Assist students with completion of the FAFSA and other required applications; identify and resolve errors, conflicting information, and rejected or incomplete ISIRs in a timely manner.
• Counsel students on financial aid eligibility, award offers, cost of attendance, payment options, and satisfactory academic progress (SAP), emphasizing strategies that support continued enrollment.
• Conduct loan counseling, including entrance and exit counseling; educate students on responsible borrowing, repayment options, and long-term debt management.
• Support students in identifying and applying for institutional, state, and external scholarships; process and track scholarship awards as applicable.
• Review and collect financial aid documentation, including verification, dependency status changes, special circumstances, and professional judgment requests.
• Award, adjust, and revise financial aid packages in accordance with federal, state, and institutional regulations, ensuring accuracy and timeliness.
• Monitor student financial aid files to ensure completeness and compliance, prioritizing actions that enable students to remain enrolled.
• Clearly explain financial aid policies, procedures, and student rights and responsibilities using accessible, student-friendly language.
• Maintain accurate case notes and records in the student information system and financial aid management system.
• Collaborate closely with Admissions, Student Accounts/Business Office, Advising, Registrar, and other campus partners to support enrollment, retention, and completion goals.
• Participate in outreach and enrollment-related activities such as orientations, FAFSA nights, financial aid workshops, recruitment events, and retention initiatives.
• Respond to student inquiries within established service standards, recognizing the time-sensitive nature of financial aid decisions for community college students.
• Protect the confidentiality of student records in compliance with FERPA and institutional policies.
• Provide front desk coverage, manage phone and email queues, and assist with daily office operations and special projects as assigned.
• Stay current on changes to federal, state, and institutional financial aid regulations and contribute to continuous process improvement.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Working knowledge of Title IV federal financial aid programs, including Pell Grants and Direct Loans, and familiarity with state and institutional aid programs common to community colleges.
• Understanding of FAFSA processing, verification, SAP, and professional judgment.
• Strong customer service orientation with demonstrated ability to support diverse, first-generation, and nontraditional student populations.
• Ability to explain complex financial aid regulations clearly, empathetically, and accurately.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to manage competing priorities during peak enrollment periods.
• Proficiency with student information systems and financial aid management systems and standard office software.
• Ability to exercise sound judgment, maintain professionalism, and handle sensitive situations with discretion.

Education and Experience

• A minimum of an associate degree required (bachelor's degree preferred) as well as one year experience in financial aid, student services, enrollment services, or customer service, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Commitment to student success and retention efforts.

Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience administering Title IV financial aid programs as well as experience working in a community college.

Work Environment and Expectations

• Office-based position with extensive student interaction. Occasional evening or weekend hours may be required for FAFSA nights.
• Must maintain confidentiality and adhere to all regulatory and institutional requirements.

Other Duties

• Perform other duties as assigned to support the mission, enrollment goals, and student success initiatives of the Financial Aid Office.

Notification

• Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of employment visa at this time.