Financial Aid Counselor

Montclair State University•Montclair, NJ

About The Position

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES : ● Review, interpret and implement Federal Title IV and State Student Assistance Authority regulations to ensure compliance. ● Review and process federal verification documentation for selected FAFSA applicants. ● Evaluate tax transcripts, W-2s, household information, and other required documents to resolve conflicting information. ● Update student ISIR data and repackage financial aid as needed. ● Review C-Flags and eligibility for students who did not complete academic engagement ● Communicate with students clearly and professionally regarding verification status and required documents. ● Monitor and evaluate SAP at the end of each academic year. ● Review SAP appeals and supporting timely to render a decision. ● Ensure consistent application of SAP policies and compliance with federal guidelines. ● Review requests for special circumstances (e.g., loss of income, unusual expenses) and process aid adjustments per federal regulations. ● Evaluate and decide on dependency override requests using professional judgment and institutional policy. ● Maintain complete documentation for all professional judgment cases in accordance with audit standards. ● Counsel/Notify students on the eligibility statues, appeal process, documentation requirements, and outcomes. ● Provide individualized financial aid counseling to students and families regarding eligibility, appeals, SAP, and aid adjustments. ● Assist with financial literacy and outreach programs as needed. ● Respond to inquiries via phone, email, and in person in a timely and courteous manner. ● Stay informed about federal and state regulations affecting financial aid eligibility. ● Assist in developing internal procedures for verification, SAP, and appeals. ● Ensure all decisions and communications are documented in compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies. ● Communicate effectively with Red Hawk Central and respond to escalated SNOW tickets timely. ● Participates in University events (admitted student day, open house, orientation, etc. ● Perform other duties as assigned. ● Management retains the right to change or add job duties at any time.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
Minimum two years’ experience working in operational support of financial aid processing preferably with Banner or Workday.
Experience with report generation, preferably in COGNOS.
Knowledge of State and Federal regulations affecting financial aid.
Experience supporting Federal grants, State grants, Private and Direct Lending process.

Nice To Haves

Prior experience in handling professional judgement request or appeals
Familiarity with institutional and third-party study abroad programs
Proficiency in Spanish
Experience with state grant systems
NASFAA credentials.

Responsibilities

Review, interpret and implement Federal Title IV and State Student Assistance Authority regulations to ensure compliance.
Review and process federal verification documentation for selected FAFSA applicants.
Evaluate tax transcripts, W-2s, household information, and other required documents to resolve conflicting information.
Update student ISIR data and repackage financial aid as needed.
Review C-Flags and eligibility for students who did not complete academic engagement
Communicate with students clearly and professionally regarding verification status and required documents.
Monitor and evaluate SAP at the end of each academic year.
Review SAP appeals and supporting timely to render a decision.
Ensure consistent application of SAP policies and compliance with federal guidelines.
Review requests for special circumstances (e.g., loss of income, unusual expenses) and process aid adjustments per federal regulations.
Evaluate and decide on dependency override requests using professional judgment and institutional policy.
Maintain complete documentation for all professional judgment cases in accordance with audit standards.
Counsel/Notify students on the eligibility statues, appeal process, documentation requirements, and outcomes.
Provide individualized financial aid counseling to students and families regarding eligibility, appeals, SAP, and aid adjustments.
Assist with financial literacy and outreach programs as needed.
Respond to inquiries via phone, email, and in person in a timely and courteous manner.
Stay informed about federal and state regulations affecting financial aid eligibility.
Assist in developing internal procedures for verification, SAP, and appeals.
Ensure all decisions and communications are documented in compliance with institutional, state, and federal policies.
Communicate effectively with Red Hawk Central and respond to escalated SNOW tickets timely.
Participates in University events (admitted student day, open house, orientation, etc.
Perform other duties as assigned.