Financial Aid Counselor

Furman University•Lexington, MA

20h

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor works under the direction of the Associate Director of Financial Aid and provides financial aid counseling to prospective and current students and their parents. The counselor explains Furman’s financial aid application processes and decision timelines, available ways to finance education costs, borrowing and working, and how financial fit relates to applying to and enrolling at Furman. The position is part of Enrollment Management, which has strategic and operational responsibility for meeting the institution’s enrollment goals. The role administers federal loan and grant programs, alternative loans, and Federal Work Study, including required reporting and monthly reconciliations. It supports FAFSA verification, reviews tax information and special financial circumstances, monitors over-awards, and conducts outreach and financial aid workshops. Work is performed under usual office conditions. Some workshops and other job-related tasks may require evening or weekend work. The position reports to the Associate Director of Financial Aid.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree.
Experience in higher education administration.
Willingness and availability to work outside normal business hours when workload requires.
Ability to communicate effectively, including appropriate grammar and mechanics.
Ability to work as a team with inter-office and intra-office personnel to accomplish office goals and responsibilities.
Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
Experience with common office software, particularly Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.

Nice To Haves

Experience with social networking.

Responsibilities

Counsel prospective and current students and their parents through appointments, award package reviews or revisions, responses to inquiries, and support for Enrollment Services personnel with financial aid questions.
Administer federal loan, federal grant, and alternative loan programs, including reporting to the Department of Education and monthly reconciliation of awards, federal reporting, student account disbursements, and the university general ledger.
Serve as the Federal Work Study liaison with Enrollment Services, maintain knowledge of applicable regulations, and reconcile expenditures monthly.
Conduct appropriate outreach to current and prospective students and parents, potentially using social media and campus announcements, in accordance with university standards.
Assist with Title IV verification of information submitted by students and parents on the FAFSA.
Review FAFSA information and income tax returns, particularly those of business owners, and adjust reported income appropriately based on tax information.
Review Special Financial Circumstance Forms submitted by students.
Assist with monitoring over-awards throughout the year.
Present financial aid workshops on campus and at high schools in the Greenville-Spartanburg area, including some evening and weekend events.
Participate in state and regional financial aid professional associations as approved by the Senior Director of Financial Aid.
Perform other job-related duties as required; some duties may require night or weekend work.
Take responsibility for own work and errors, provide corrective action, and may assist or instruct others, including student workers.
Refer or consult on non-routine issues with the supervisor, Executive Director of Financial Aid, or associate director(s) of financial aid.