Financial Aid Counselor

Company: Oklahoma State University
Location: Oklahoma City
Posted on: May 14, 2022

Job Description:

Position DetailsReq ID:req11130Position Title:Financial Aid CounselorPosition Type:Staff Full-TimeOSU Campus:Financial AidDepartment:Financial AidLocation Address:900 N. Portland AveOklahoma City, Oklahoma, 73107United States Hiring Supervisor and Contact Info:Elizabeth LucasHiring Range:(Contingent upon available funding):16.70 - 16.70, Hourly Work Schedule:Monday - Friday, occasionally includes some evenings and weekends. Job Summary:Job Summary:The Financial Aid Counselor position will share in thereview and processing of financial aid applications relative to federal, state,private, and institutional assistance. This position is directly responsiblefor receiving, evaluating, and verifying student data to award federal, state,and institutional financial aid. Will determine student eligibility incompliance with local, state, and federal regulations, policies, andprocedures. Responsible for counseling students and parents on mattersconcerning financial aid eligibility, cost of attendance, providing necessaryinformation regarding student financial assistance programs, and usingprofessional judgment in considering individual student requests for specialconsideration, satisfactory academic progress, dependency overrides, and debtmanagement issues.Essential Job Duties:Accurate and prompt processing of aid applications to determine eligibility and award studentsCounsels students regarding financial assistance programs. Comprehensive knowledge of all programs and specific eligibility criteria is required.Determines eligibility of applicants for specific federal and state aid programs administered by the Financial Aid Office.Ensure accurate and complete records on each student reviewed, evaluated, and awarded assistance to document eligibility.Determine and monitors student satisfactory academic progress. Review and preps financial aid appeals for Appeal Committee determination. Will prepare appeal decision letters for students.Evaluates and document student requests for special consideration of Federal Title IV eligibility. Consider adjustments to applicant data to reflect a change in applicant circumstances. Uses professional judgment guidelines to make adjustments for the appropriate level of eligibility. Send revised award notification to the student.Assists with the development and updating of procedures, when necessary, to ensure consistency with changes in federal, state, and institution guidelines.Assess student loan debt during any review of students financial assistance package. Use knowledge of federal regulations, Financial Aid Office policy guidelines for students with high debt, and professional judgment authority to award or adjust financial assistance. Note in student electronic record and send award notification to the student.Process professional judgment requests; collect and review supporting documentation and use regulatory guidance to make decisions accurately reflecting a students ability to pay for college.Reviews federal, state, and institutional financial assistance payment information to ensure accurate disbursements and assist in reconciliation processes as needed.Participate in financial aid presentations at college and high school awareness events, agency settings, and new student orientations as components of outreach efforts to inform current and prospective students.Perform work confidentially and professionally.Stays current with federal, state, and college financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures to ensure accuracy and compliance in services to students.Effectively use interpersonal and communications skills of tact and diplomacy.Effectively use organizational and planning skills with attention to detail and follow-through.Responsible for over-award resolutions, Return to Title IV calculations, student eligibility determination, and questions regarding Satisfactory Academic Progress review.Review and reconcile daily/weekly reports to ensure compliance with federal guidelines.Completes agency forms to provide the cost of attendance and award information for eligibility determination.Provide guidance to staff concerning policies and procedures relative to financial aid processing.Works directly with the Student Loan Representative in resolving loan eligibility issues.Works with external agencies to ensure knowledge/accuracy of external funding in terms of over-award prevention.Recommends and assists in the analysis and development of enhancements to the financial aid data processing systems.Provide general office coverage and assist as needed with other duties.Completes all mandatory training and participated in a minimum of two professional development each year.Performs other duties as assigned. The duties listed in this job description areintended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may beperformed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude themfrom the position if the work is similar, related, or a logical assignment tothe position.Special Instructions to ApplicantsResume and Cover Letter required for full considerationOfficial transcripts will be required upon hire.Education & ExperiencePosition Qualifications:Minimum Qualifications:Education:Bachelors Degree or combination of education and experienceWork Experience:Three years of responsiblefinancial aid processing experience; however, consideration will be given ifthe candidate possesses less than three years experience but is currentlyfunctioning in a similar position. Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:Possess a working knowledge of federal regulations that govern financial aid administrationSkilled in Federal aid verification policies and proceduresSkilled at independently making sound, professional decisions,and judgmentsDemonstrated ability to develop and conduct student aidawareness activitiesStrong knowledge of financial aid systems and applicationprocessingStrong technical proficiency, with the ability to analyze andcomprehend technical information and produce technical reportsDemonstrated ability to efficiently manage a large volume ofapplicationsA high degree of accuracy, with strong attention to detailsAbility to handle multiple tasks and prioritize effectivelyA high degree of integrity; ability to work in a sensitive,highly confidential, and professional environmentAble to perform job functions under moderate levels of stress,imposed by frequent deadlines, peak workloads, and public/student contact.Ability to communicate diplomatically, clearly, and effectivelyto exchange information, give/receive instructions, and respond toinquiries appropriately.Strong interpersonal skills and sensitivity to a multiculturalenvironment to work and communicate effectively with all students,faculty, staff, and community partners.Demonstrated knowledge of office technologies including but notlimited to: office computers, fax machines, scanners, internet, MicrosoftOffice (Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint, Outlook).Accurate typing/data entry skills and demonstrated ability towork with attention to detail.Ability to work independently and collaborate within a teamenvironment.Exhibit problem-solving skills beyond a set of instructions andadapt to changes when necessary.Ability to make appropriate recommendations based on logicaland justifiable reasoning.Ability to use analytical and critical thinking skills tointerpret written policies and procedures.Passion for assisting customers andrepresenting the OSU-OKC and OSU brand with positivity andprofessionalism.Demonstrated history of ethical andprofessional behavior.Preferred Qualifications:Advancecomputer literacyProficiencywith Ellucian Banner software. Experience working with the financial aid process Strongworking knowledge with Department of Education SoftwarePublic speaking experienceWorking Conditions:Will work a flexible schedule, some evenings or weekends inextended enrollment periods.Work will be performed in an office environment with a significant amount of public contact, in person, by telephone, via email, and various communication platforms.Physical Requirements: During peak enrollment and processing, one must handle a highvolume of phone calls and student inquiries.Dutiesrequire extended periods of sitting, talking and listening.Requires possible lifting of up to 25 lbs. (If an object weights more than 45 lbs., OSU-Oklahoma City requires this to be a two-person lift).The work environment and physical demands described hereare representative of those required by an employee to perform the essentialfunctions of this job with or without reasonable accommodations.#ZROklahoma State University (OSU) strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, OSU conducts pre-employment background checks on final candidates.Offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal (felony and misdemeanor) history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the university, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

Keywords: Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma City , Financial Aid Counselor, Accounting, Auditing , Oklahoma City, Oklahoma