Financial Aid Counselor

Details•San Diego, CA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Office of Financial Aid (OFA) is responsible for awarding Federal, State, and Institutional financial aid to Undergraduate and Graduate students at the University of San Diego. The OFA ensures compliance with Federal, State, and Institutional regulations for the proper delivery of financial aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and loans. Student eligibility is determined using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the CA Dream Act Application, and the USD Dream Act Application. Approximately 76% of USD students receive some form of financial aid. The University of San Diego is an engaged and contemporary Catholic institution founded in 1949, committed to a liberal arts education grounded in the Catholic intellectual tradition and the pursuit of truth, goodness, and beauty. USD values the contributions of those who seek to foster the development of engaged global citizens and address humanity's urgent challenges.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree
2 years full time experience in financial aid
Knowledge of need analysis and student aid
Extensive knowledge and understanding of Title IV regulations, VA benefits, and Yellow Ribbon processes & guidelines
Word processing skills
Excel skills

Nice To Haves

Knowledge of Banner
Effective oral and written communication skills
Familiarity with ED Connect and COD software
Extensive knowledge of USD policies and procedures
High degree of mathematical accuracy
Ability to function as an effective team member
Maintain diplomacy in difficult situations
Effective organizational skills
Ability to make independent decisions
Ability to adjust to a changing environment
Mastery of need analysis and student aid policies and regulations
Capacity to listen and respond to students with knowledge and understanding
Public Speaking Skills

Responsibilities

Provide support for all Veteran and Active Duty students, Undocumented Students, & Torero Renaissance Scholars
Coordinate Satisfactory Academic Progress
Counsel students (and parents as needed) who have complicated situations
Provide excellent customer service
Perform Form Review and Analysis functions, awarding, and re-evaluations
Attend state/federal training workshops and conferences for Financial Aid as needed
View webinars as needed
Serve as point of contact for all Veteran and Active Duty students, coordinating VA benefits with financial aid packages and managing the VA/Yellow Ribbon Scholarship Program.
Liaise with ROTC programs to award scholarships and grants.
Serve as point of contact for all Undocumented students, processing California Dream Act Application data and packaging financial aid.
Track and prepare financial aid offers for specific grant recipients.
Represent the Office of Financial Aid on the Torero Renaissance Scholars Program.
Conduct Satisfactory Academic Progress Review for all students, including notification, monitoring responses, and reviewing appeals.
Determine student financial aid eligibility based on Federal Methodology and USD Guidelines.
Determine and revise students’ Financial Aid Awards using USD, federal, and state guidelines.
Identify and recommend exceptions for professional judgment consideration.
Perform re-evaluations of Financial Aid Awards.
Ensure students/parents receive excellent customer service by providing accurate and prompt information.
Serve as part of the FAST shift rotation, and COD Cases rotation.
Counsel students (and parents as needed) on financial aid/personal matters with sensitivity.
Act as liaison with other USD offices regarding student concerns.
Represent USD by creating and making Financial Aid presentations at campus events.
Serve as an integral part of the financial aid team in formulating and implementing OFA policies and procedures.
Attend state/federal training workshops and conferences relevant to financial aid.
View webinars as needed.