Lead Counselor, Financial Aid

Salary : $46,207.00 - $60,069.00 Annually

Location : Thomasville, NC

Job Type : Full-time Staff

Job Number : LCFA25

Department : Student Affairs

Opening Date : 09 / 05 / 2025

Closing Date : Continuous

Be part of something big.

Davidson-Davie Community College is an award-winning institution that is committed to student learning and success, as well as the economic growth of the communities we serve. Our goal is to identify individuals who will assist in our mission, so that everyone has the opportunity to succeed at Davidson-Davie Community College.

Our benefits and other resources make it possible to excel both professionally and personally. We are a dynamic community that supports and celebrates the success of our students, faculty and staff. The future is here!

What you'll do on a typical day

The Lead Counselor, Financial Aid provides comprehensive financial aid services to students and parents, and oversees the Veterans Affairs educational benefits program for the College. The Lead Counselor, Financial Aid reports to the Director, Financial Aid and has the following responsibilities :

Essential Job Functions :

• Deliver accurate, timely, and comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and families across all financial aid programs, including federal, state, institutional, and private aid.
• Assist students in understanding aid eligibility, application processes, award packages, satisfactory academic progress (SAP), loan management, and repayment options.
• Serve as the designated School Certifying Official (SCO) for the College's VA education benefits program.
• Manage all aspects of the College's Veterans Affairs education benefits program, including the certification of benefits, monitoring of eligibility, and maintenance of records in compliance with U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs regulations.
• Stay informed of evolving VA regulations and best practices through professional development, training, and participation in local, regional, and national VA-related associations.
• Coordinate with the Registrar, Business Office, and other stakeholders to ensure timely and accurate processing of VA benefits.
• Perform federal need analysis using standard methodology to determine financial aid eligibility and award amounts.
• Conduct verification of student and parent FAFSA data, resolving discrepancies and ensuring documentation aligns with federal guidelines.
• Ensure ongoing compliance with Title IV federal aid regulations, state program rules, and institutional policies and procedures.
• Prepare for and support internal and external audits and program reviews.
• Assist the Director in developing and delivering training plans and professional development opportunities for financial aid staff.
• Provide daily guidance to the part-time Financial Aid Counselor, particularly in VA-related matters, to ensure efficient processing and superior service to student veterans and dependents.
• Support a culture of service excellence, acting as a subject matter expert for students, families, faculty, and staff.
• Collaborate with key offices such as Admissions, Registrar, Business Services, and Student Services to streamline the student experience.
• Assist with outreach events, financial aid workshops, and orientations to promote awareness and access to financial aid.

Your attributes

Minimum Qualifications Required :

Preferred Qualifications :

Work environment

ADA requirements for this position include critical thinking skills with the ability to process information and exercise good judgment; ease of mobility within the work environment and other areas of campus and College locations; travel between campus locations may be required; and effective use of all forms of communication including use of computers.

A climate controlled, contact center environment - filled with amazing people, incredible students and career opportunities.

DISCLAIMER : The above information on this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees in this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.