Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Olympia, WA

Salary:

The Financial Aid Counselor is one of the initial contacts representing the Office of Financial Aid. This position assists the Director and Assistant Directors of Financial Aid in all aspects of the implementation of office policy, procedure, and operation. This person counsels current and prospective students and their families, University faculty and staff, as well as the public at large, about financial aid eligibility determination and award processes. As such, this position is primarily responsible for serving as the initial point of contact via phone, email, walk-ins, and virtual appointments. This person is responsible for monitoring all outside billing sources of aid, including outside scholarships, Tuition Assistance, tuition remission, Tuition Exchange, and Veteran’s benefits, as applicable. This position is also responsible for supporting the Assistant Directors in processing aid and assisting in the overall outreach to students.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Aid Counseling

• Assists as the initial contact in the Office of Financial Aid, in person, by telephone, by email, and through virtual appointments with current and prospective students, parents of students, University faculty and staff, and the public.
• Assists with the preparation of forms and materials for distribution and mailing.
• Provides information to current and prospective students about the aid application process and their current status as well as addressing the immediate information needs of students, parents, faculty, staff and the public.
• Assist with Admissions and other campus events as a representative of the Financial Aid team.
• Presents at financial aid workshops to high school students and parents, campus groups, and other community groups.
Assists office staff with routine and advanced clerical duties.

Financial Aid Processing

• Responsible for adding Outside Scholarships and other Third-Party resources and manages financial aid eligibility changes in response to outside resources.
• Collects and reviews verification documents for completion as defined by federal regulations.
• Performs verification as defined by federal regulations.
• Assesses documents received and inputs into PowerFAIDS system.
• Assists in the development and implementation of office policies and procedures.

COMPETENCIES

• Demonstrate strong positive customer service skills. Is able to anticipate and recognize the concerns of constituents even if those concerns are not openly expressed.
• Ability to comprehend and make inferences from written material, including but not limited to federal, state, and institutional rules, regulations and guidelines governing financial aid funding. Is able to apply laws, rules and regulation and guidelines appropriately.
• Apply and abide by the Federal Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and confidentiality issues.
• Must have strong technical and mathematical skills as well as effective use of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and other relevant, computer-based programs.
• Demonstrate the ability to be self-motivated, work independently, with minimal direct supervision
• The ability to communicate effectively with diverse range of people in extremely difficult situations. Responds to difficult, stressful or sensitive interpersonal situations. Responds to difficult or sensitive interpersonal situations in ways that reduce or minimize potential conflicts and maintains good working relationships among internal and external customers.
• Demonstrates effectiveness when working in a stressful, fast-paced environment and effectively manages multiple projects simultaneously.
• Works effectively and collaboratively with co-workers and colleagues across the University.
• Accurately enters data and prepares documents. Carefully reviews work before submission.
Must be supportive of a Catholic, Benedictine philosophy of education.

REQUIREMENTS AND/OR CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT

• One (1) year of experience in financial aid with significant exposure to regulations governing financial aid or similar student service experience.
• Experience with financial aid awarding is desirable.
• Experience using PowerFAIDS software is preferable.
• Some weekend and evening hours may be required.
Successfully pass a criminal background and sexual misconduct check

PHYSICAL DEMANDS AND WORKING ENVIRONMENT

• Moves objects (less than 20 pounds) long distances (more than 20 feet).
• Ability to be mobile campus wide for appropriate business needs.
• Operates a variety of standard office equipment requiring continuous or repetitive arm-hand movements.
• Reading, writing, speaking, hearing, standing, bending, sitting.
• Learning and comprehending.
• Requires visual concentration on detail.
• Manual dexterity and precision required for keyboarding
• Must be able to sit for long periods at a time at a computer
• May occasionally be required to deal with distraught people.
• Must be able to concentrate on details and process complex information while experiencing frequent interruptions.
• Must be able to communicate effectively with people at all levels under stressful conditions.