Financial Aid Counselor

Carson Newman University•Jefferson City, TN

45d

About The Position

The Financial Aid Counselor is an important role in our recruitment and retention of students in enrollment management. To contribute to our goals, the Financial Aid Counselor must be able to attend regular training to learn complex rules and policies; apply rules and policies during awarding and auditing of aid; and communicate rules and policies to students, parents, and other constituents. The Financial Aid Counselor is primarily responsible for counseling students and families, awarding and auditing financial aid, learning other student services areas to provide excellent customer service, and managing an aid program effectively. The Financial Aid Counselor will have a specific aid program(s) responsibility and attend regular training to learn best practices and rules and regulations of their specific aid program(s).

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in counseling, business, or related field or experience in financial aid in lieu of degree.
Office experience required.
Self-motivated, results-oriented, and team player
Excellent interpersonal skills; curiosity, empathy, and gratitude
Must be comfortable to meet with students and parents and communicate effectively
Must be comfortable to speak in front of groups, and communicate effectively
Organized and detail oriented
Ability to accept change rapidly
Must maintain highest standards of confidentiality
Must have excellent computer skills to include word, excel, and outlook, and ability to learn additional software systems used in financial aid administration
Must demonstrate grammatically correct and concise written and oral communication skills
Must be able to work on a computer in front of two monitors majority of the day
Must be able to answer phones, and communicate electronically and verbally
Able to deal with stress
Able to work in an area where noise, and distractions may occur
Able to travel to financial aid events and work limited weekends, as requested
Able to lift 25 lbs., such as boxes of office materials

Nice To Haves

Background of higher education administration is preferred.
Experience working with Ellucian Colleague software system, and Softdocs preferred.

Responsibilities

Office reception and communication for enrollment management
Counsel students, parents, and other constituents individually consistent with policies and procedures, using excellent soft skills
Counsel students on responsible borrowing
Attend enrollment events and recruiting events
Present financial aid information at events
Award financial aid programs consistent with policies and procedures
Reconcile financial aid programs consistent with policies and procedures
Process communications consistent with policies and procedures
Process workflows consistent with policies and procedures
Manage assigned projects effectively
Manage assigned aid programs effectively
Attend training events
Cross-train with other student services areas
Performs other duties as assigned