Financial Aid Counselor

Southern Utah University•Cedar City, UT

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor will be responsible for all aspects of Federal Financial Aid for an assigned portion of the alphabet and must be able to work independently to perform tasks including verification, packaging, consortium agreements, document management, appeals committees, etc. This role involves providing in-person and virtual financial aid counseling, managing the award and monitoring process, and analyzing, counseling, and resolving complex issues pertaining to financial aid. The counselor will also guide Direct Loan recipients on debt management, repayment obligations, and options. Key responsibilities include data entry, verification, consortium agreements, loan processing, special circumstance appeals, calculating Return of Title IV, and tracking over-awards. The position requires adjusting financial aid awards for students with special needs or circumstances, applying expertise to ensure accurate and timely awarding of financial aid funds, and serving as a team/committee member for appeals, special projects, and tasks. The counselor will become knowledgeable of Federal, State, and University regulations and procedures for federal aid and scholarships, participate in early awareness programs, and manage record-keeping systems. Additionally, the role involves supporting office and student staff by assisting with email and phone inquiries during peak times. Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

Excellent Customer Service Skills and Experience.
Good Verbal and Written Communication Skills.
Ability to work with computers and other office equipment.
Ability to work pleasantly, cooperatively, and efficiently with other University personnel, students and employers.

Nice To Haves

4 / Year Bachelors Degree.
Experience working in a financial aid office or other higher education setting.
Experience working with a Higher Education Financial Aid System (such as Banner, Colleague, etc.)

Responsibilities

Provide in person and virtual financial aid counseling.
Perform all aspects of award and monitoring process.
Analyze, counsel, and resolve complex issues pertaining to financial aid.
Counsel Direct Loan recipients on debt management, repayment obligations and options.
Responsible for data entry, verification, consortium agreements, loan processing, special circumstance appeals, calculate Return of Title IV, track over-awards, etc.
Adjust financial aid awards to students/applicants with special needs or circumstances.
Apply expertise in the field to solve and ensure that students are being accurately awarded their financial aid funds in a timely manner.
Serve as team/committee member on review of appeals, special projects and tasks as needed.
Become Knowledgeable of Federal, State, and University regulations and procedures for federal aid and scholarships.
Participate in early awareness programs such as presentations for Recruitment Office and high school nights.
Manage record keeping systems.
Support office and student staff by assisting with email and phone help for the main lines of contact for our office, generally during our peak times.
Other duties as assigned.