Financial Aid Counselor

State of South Carolina • Denmark, SC

117d

About The Position

The Financial Aid Coordinator reports to the Director of Financial Aid and Veterans Affairs and is responsible for counseling students, prospective students, and parents regarding institutional, federal, and state student financial aid programs, as well as alternative financing methods for educational costs. The role involves completing weekly reports, making and revising financial aid awards, and resolving issues in a professional, customer-focused manner. The coordinator also represents the Office of Financial Aid at campus events and during student orientation and training sessions. Additionally, the position assists with the administration of private loan programs by completing disbursements, aiding financial aid staff and lending agencies with loan-related issues, and coordinating private loan reconciliation and returns with other college offices. A key responsibility includes coordinating efforts on Default Management for student loan borrowers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree and experience in student services programs.
• Considerable knowledge of federal, state, and college guidelines for administering financial aid programs.
• Ability to be sensitive to the concerns of economically disadvantaged students and parents.
• Skill in diffusing difficult situations and conversations.
• Ability to work independently and administer complex procedures and regulations.
• Establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and the public.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Research and resolve complex issues with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and analytical skills.

Nice To Haves

• Two years of professional experience in student financial aid.
• Proficiency with MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Ellucian software.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students, prospective students, and parents on financial aid programs and financing methods.
• Complete weekly reports and revise financial aid awards as necessary.
• Resolve issues related to financial aid in a customer-focused manner.
• Represent the Office of Financial Aid at campus events and orientations.
• Assist with the administration of private loan programs, including disbursements and coordination with lending agencies.
• Coordinate private loan reconciliation and returns with other college offices.
• Manage Default Management efforts for student loan borrowers.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Industry: Executive, Legislative, and Other General Government Support
• Education Level: Bachelor's degree
• Number of Employees: 5,001-10,000 employees