Financial Aid Counselor

Lynn University•Decatur, GA

18d

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor supports the vision and mission of Lynn University and its Student Financial Services (SFS) Department by providing high-quality customer service to students, parents, and the Lynn community. The counselor awards and processes financial aid, advises students and parents on financial aid packages, financing options, student accounts, and related processes, and applies institutional, state, and federal regulations. The position also supports account receivables management, with a focus on reducing delinquent accounts and encouraging timely payments. The counselor provides information in person, by email, through virtual platforms, and by phone; works with campus departments and SFS specialists to resolve student concerns; and supports training, retention, recruitment, outreach, and campus team-building activities. Duties vary throughout the day, week, semester, and year, and include financial aid verification and packaging, reviewing appeals and reports, student check-in and planning meetings, audits, and participation in on- and off-campus events. The counselor may work flex-hours or extra hours during peak periods and assist with other SFS functions as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university; or one to two years of related experience and/or training; or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Microsoft Suite, PowerFaids, Jenzabar, and Workday.
Knowledge of federal regulations pertaining to Title IV aid and Florida state programs.

Responsibilities

Package and process student financial aid, including performing verification and updating aid status and loan data.
Advise students and parents on financial aid packages, financing options, student accounts, and SFS-related processes.
Contact students to obtain missing information, documents, financial aid forms, or ISIRs and expedite processing.
Assist Student Accounts with accounts receivable management, with the goal of reducing delinquent accounts and encouraging timely payments.
Review and approve student refund request forms.
Recalculate financial aid, review assigned student populations for timely disbursement, and revise awards when needed due to changes in credit hours or required loan returns.
Assist the Financial Aid Committee with financial aid appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Professional Judgment (PJ), and endowed scholarship applications.
Complete graduated/withdrawal worksheets and assist with student check-in for new and continuing students.
Conduct financial aid informational meetings and New Student Financial Planning meetings via Zoom; participate in graduation send-off events.
Assist with yearly audits, outreach communications, and the SAP process, including canceling aid and notifying students.
Provide customer service by answering calls and assisting at the SFS front counter.
Consult with Admissions, the Registrar, Advising, and other departments to resolve student issues and concerns.
Support SFS leadership and assist with other counselors’ work during paid time off or unplanned absences.
Assist with loan entrance and exit counseling requirements and Veterans Affairs (VA) certifications.
Attend or present at Preview Days, Open Houses, Admitted Student Experience events, seminars, conferences, webinars, training opportunities, and other on- and off-campus financial aid events.
Promote and coordinate student-oriented training sessions supporting retention, recruitment, and campus team building.
Work flex-hours or extra hours during peak periods and assist with functions related to SFS operations as needed.