Student Financial Services Financial Aid Counselor

Thomas College•Waterville, ME

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Thomas College, located in beautiful Waterville, Maine, is defining what it means to be the College of the Future. With a strong commitment to innovation, career readiness, and community partnerships, Thomas College is consistently ranked by U.S. News & World Report as one of Maine’s top colleges for social mobility. Our distinctive Guaranteed Job Program™, accelerated undergraduate degrees, and flexible graduate programs empower students to advance faster in business, entrepreneurship, education, technology, applied STEM, and arts & science fields. At Thomas, belonging isn’t a buzzword; it’s a promise. We create a supportive, welcoming environment where every student is seen, valued, and prepared to thrive in a rapidly changing world. For more information visit Thomas.edu. The Student Financial Services Financial Aid Counselor (SFS FAC) is accountable for performing all necessary support functions of the Financial Aid processed in a timely and accurate manner. The SFS FAC assists with processing ISIR’s and collects all data required of a financial aid applicant and sends correspondence to the student to encourage prompt submission of missing information and verification procedures. The SFS FAC also helps maintain entrance counseling compliance, master promissory notes and annual student loan acknowledgement is completed before funds are disbursed to student’s accounts. Including review of accurate sub-loan levels for students each term and making adjustments as necessary. When prospective students and their parents come to campus for a tour, the SFS FAC may meet with the families to discuss the financial aid procedures and processes. These meetings are done in person, virtual meetings, telephone and email communications. The SFS FAC completes all tasks associated with acceptance, rejection, corrections, and updates to awards. The SFS FAC provides a second review of all financial aid awards to ensure federal and state compliance. The SFS FAC must also update the in-process data that reflects aid pending on the student's tuition account. When funds arrive at the college from alternative loans and scholarships. The SFS FAC is also responsible for helping students and families file the FAFSA annually. The SFS FAC position requires a person who is articulate and friendly, with a professional appearance. Computer experience is critical. The person must be able to maintain an orderly workspace and be able to withstand frequent interruptions. He/She must be able to relate well to people over the age of fifteen. This job involves a combination of customer service skills and technical office skills. Willingness to provide students with support with a variety of campus issues and knowledgeable with other department functions, to direct students where they need to go.

Requirements

Associate Degree is required.
Two to three years of financial aid experience is required.
Strong written and verbal communication skills are a must.
Computer experience is critical.
Ability to maintain an orderly workspace.
Ability to withstand frequent interruptions.
Ability to relate well to people over the age of fifteen.
A combination of customer service skills and technical office skills.
Willingness to provide students with support with a variety of campus issues.
Knowledgeable with other department functions.

Nice To Haves

Bachelor’s Degree is preferred.

Responsibilities

Performing all necessary support functions of the Financial Aid processed in a timely and accurate manner.
Assisting with processing ISIR’s and collecting all data required of a financial aid applicant.
Sending correspondence to the student to encourage prompt submission of missing information and verification procedures.
Helping maintain entrance counseling compliance, master promissory notes and annual student loan acknowledgement is completed before funds are disbursed to student’s accounts.
Reviewing accurate sub-loan levels for students each term and making adjustments as necessary.
Meeting with prospective students and their parents (in person, virtual, telephone, email) to discuss financial aid procedures and processes.
Completing all tasks associated with acceptance, rejection, corrections, and updates to awards.
Providing a second review of all financial aid awards to ensure federal and state compliance.
Updating the in-process data that reflects aid pending on the student's tuition account when funds arrive from alternative loans and scholarships.
Helping students and families file the FAFSA annually.
Providing students with support with a variety of campus issues and being knowledgeable with other department functions to direct students where they need to go.