Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible as administrative support for a broad range of administrative services in the Office of Financial Aid and assisting in the federal and institutional financial aid programs and processes. This position is also responsible for advising and counseling prospective and current students and parents on all aspects of the financial aid process and financial literacy. Ideal candidates should be technologically savvy with great customer service skills and an interest in learning various federal and institutional financial aid programs.

The Financial Aid Counselor reports to the Director of Financial Aid and works independently and collaboratively to uphold the highest levels of customer service to all students and families representing a broad range of backgrounds as it relates to federal and institutional aid processes, timelines, and communications.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES :

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS :

The Financial Aid Counselor performs the following essential duties and responsibilities, but is not limited to the following and must perform other duties as assigned.

Counseling / Communications (60%)

• Counsel prospective and current students and their families in person, virtually, or by telephone on all aspects of financial aid application processing, need analysis, appeal processing, packaging, financing options and financial literacy, including information on institutional, federal, and state financial aid programs.
• Provide ongoing customer service to campus community, work-study employers, other College employees and outside services.
• Participate in crafting messages for effective and accurate communication with students and families.
• Maintain a positive, customer service-oriented office atmosphere while providing administrative support and oversight of daily operations.
• Respond to status check queries via email or phone and escalate calls and emails to the Senior Assistant Director as needed.
• Conduct verification of application data in adherence with U.S. Department of Education guidelines, including reviewing federal tax returns and other documentation to determine aid eligibility.
• Responsible for updating financial aid communications, including letters, messages, social media, Net Partner, as well as working with Web Communications team to update the financial aid website.

System Maintenance (25%)

Oversight of CMC Office of Financial Aid Student Workers (10%)

Other (5%)

Perform other essential duties and tasks specific to the position. Some evening and weekend hours are expected during heavy work volume periods.

Regular attendance is considered an essential job function; the inability to meet attendance requirements may preclude the employee from retaining employment.

QUALIFICATION STANDARDS & SKILLS :

EDUCATION : Bachelor's degree is required or equivalent combination of education and experience is required.

EXPERIENCE : A minimum of six months working in general office experience with increasing responsibility. At least one year of experience in related financial aid or student personnel customer service positions with significant computer experience preferred.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES : Individual must possess knowledge, skills, and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of knowledge skills and abilities.

OTHER :

REQUIRED HOURS : The regular hours for this full-time position are 8 : 00 a.m. to 5 : 00 p.m., Monday Friday. Overtime, holiday, weekend and evening work hours may be required. Regular hours may vary due to needs of the College or division. A successful candidate must be willing to work a flexible schedule.

CLASSIFICATION AND STATUS : This is a regular, full-time, 12-month, non-exempt, benefits-eligible position.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY : None

REPORTS TO : Director of Financial Aid

GROOMING AND APPEARANCE : Employees are expected to wear attire that is appropriate to the office or department in which they work.

BACKGROUND CHECK : The successful candidate will be required to undergo a full consumer background check. Certain positions will require the successful completion of a post-offer physical agility test. Employment is contingent on the satisfactory results of the aforementioned, in addition to compliance with requirements cited in this job description.

ADA / OSHA : This job description defines the essential or fundamental job duties of this position. It is assumed that employees hired for this position can perform the essential functions of this job without imposing risk of substantial harm to the health or safety of themselves or others. It may also include marginal functions, generally defined within Title 1 of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Reasonable accommodations will be provided for qualified applicants with disabilities who self-disclose.

DISCLAIMER : This job description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees within this classification. It is not