Financial Aid Counselor

Columbus College of Art and Design•Columbus, OH

59d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor reports to the Director of Financial Aid and fulfills a variety of administrative and professional activities designed to serve our student body and meet the strategic enrollment goals of the college. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, counseling students and families, data entry and analytics, researching regulations, reconciling fund balances, evaluating processes and procedures, sending and receiving electronic files and supervising student workers. Candidates for this position will be evaluated on their demonstrated capacity to think critically, exercise good judgment and work independently. This full-time position offers the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule after the completion of the training period.

Requirements

Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills
Evidence of strong organizational abilities, time management and attention to detail
High level of logic and superb critical thinking skills
Seasoned sense of judgment with ability to make professional judgment decisions
Ability to work often with increased levels of autonomy and independence
Ability to maintain patience, empathy and understanding while explaining complex processes
Display a pleasant and outgoing personality and appreciate the importance of student data security
Remains committed to increasing knowledge and strengthening skills by participating in various trainings, seminars and professional development opportunities on and off campus
Bachelor's degree required
Minimum of 1-2 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid required
Associate degree plus a minimum of 3-5 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid may be considered
Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and Google Suite

Nice To Haves

Proficiency in PowerFAIDS and PowerCampus preferred but not required

Responsibilities

Works with new and continuing students and their parents regarding the application for and renewal of financial aid as it pertains to accessing enrollment and satisfying their student account balances
Participates in monitoring financial aid email account and addresses communications accordingly
Reviews and packages new and continuing students recognizing the difference between consistent administrative functions and unique professional judgment that may be needed case by case
Reviews and update financial aid forms and web presence
Collects documentation from students and parents to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines
Reviews and processes Federal Direct Loan Programs on behalf of eligible students and/or eligible parents
Submits, receives and reconciles electronic records in administration of federal financial aid programs exercising accuracy and time management skills
Processes Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations as a result of student withdrawals
Monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students and reviews and processes appeals and communications
Manages state grants, confirming eligibility, requesting disbursements from state agencies, responsible for reconciliation and coordinating periodic state audits
Work with a variety of alternative loan programs and third-party scholarship agencies to secure funding for students
Assists with Admission events designed to recruit and yield prospective students
Designs and delivers financial literacy presentations used to educate new and continuing students, college staff and faculty and/or other community audiences
Collaborates with appropriate personnel in other college departments including, but not limited to, Academic Advising, Bursar, Registrar and Student Central to carry out financial aid processes and properly advise students
Supports and assists the Director of Financial Aid in streamlining processes, utilizing technology, assisting in data collection for annual audits and other inquiries
Researches financial aid regulations to ensure compliance and maintain institutional eligibility
May supervise student workers
Accepts that occasional evening and weekend hours may be required
Performs other duties as requested