Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Canton, OH

Description

Position Summary

To assist in the student financial aid awarding and delivery processes. To counsel and inform students about the various financial aid program requirements and procedures. To serve as main communication coordinator with students and parents.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

PRIMARY DUTIES

• Initial point of contact for students/parents who have detailed financial aid questions and issues. Will be equipped to answer questions/address inquiries, or, if unable to do so, seek out the most qualified financial aid staff member to resolve the matter expeditiously.
• Assist front counter staff in Student Service Center as needed, which requires ability to answer financial aid questions, take payments in a fast-paced environment.
• Determine eligibility and certify undergraduate PLUS loans and private/alternative student loans. Review and resolve disbursement issues on loans if necessary.
• Serve as a final Verification Reviewer, ensuring that all federal verification guidelines and procedures are followed for successful audits.
• Award non-FAFSA-filers institutional aid, including institutional merit awards and numerous tuition discounts.
• Integrates outside scholarships into incoming students’ existing financial aid packages, ensuring that all federal and state regulations are followed when doing so and no over-awards exist.
• Creates financial aid documents (cost calculator worksheets, missing information documents etc.) for annual Freshmen Orientation Financial Aid Sessions.
• Assist Director with maintenance and updating of NCAA Compliance Assistant software.
• Assist Director and Associate Director with placing new athletic awards in Banner for all students.
• Oversee and regulate the following written communication processes:
• Create and distribute missing information letters and emails for all students receiving financial aid, discounts and employer reimbursement.
• Notify new student loan borrowers of their need to complete a Master Promissory Note.
• Create Verification Complete Notices to students in order to comply with federal regulations.
• Send FAFSA Acknowledgement Letters to potential students.
• Coordinates financial aid renewal process including, but not limited to, post cards, emails, notices, and priority deadline reminders.
• Other duties as assigned.

This job description in no way states or implies that these are the only duties to be performed by the employee(s) of this position. Employees will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by any person authorized to give instructions or assignments.

All duties and responsibilities are essential functions and requirements and are subject to possible modification to reasonably accommodate individuals with disabilities.

Required Qualifications (Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities)

Must understand and support the Mission, Vision and Code of Ethical Conduct of Walsh University, as a Catholic higher education university as expressed in Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and possess the following:

• Ability to represent the Student Service Center and University professionally.
• Capable of working with sensitive information with complete confidentiality.
• Well-developed communication skills a must.
• Positive attitude required.
• Ability to quickly learn new processes and programs.

Education: Bachelor’s degree required

Work Experience: At least 1 year experience in a college financial aid and/or a student services environment utilizing exceptional customer service skills.

Skills and abilities:

• Banner experience preferred.
• Ability to work independently without close supervision
• Ability to make appropriate decisions and use good judgement.
• Ability to maintain current knowledge of federal, state and institutional changes in regulations and laws.
• Professional demeanor and ability to interact with charity towards students, staff and faculty.

Physical Demands and Work Environment

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the functions.

Normal day-to-day office environment functions including sitting for long periods of time, standing and walking between offices and campus buildings. Must be able to work in a busy fast-paced environment.

Application Instructions

Applicants must submit a completed online application and any additional documents requested by the search/interview committee. This may include resume, unofficial transcripts, etc.

About Walsh University

Walsh University is seeking a dynamic, energetic, and passionate individual who is enthusiastic about the environment found on a private, values based, Catholic liberal arts campus. Walsh University believes in the desirability of a small university that promotes academic excellence, a diverse community and close student-teacher interactions. A commitment to the Judeo Christian tradition, diversity and service learning are critical to the mission of Walsh University. Walsh University is committed to principles of equal opportunity and is an equal opportunity employer.

Qualifications