Financial Aid Counselor

TITLE: Financial Aid Counselor

DEPARTMENT: Financial Aid

REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid

CLASSIFICATION: Staff-12 Months

EFFECTIVE DATE: TBD

STANDARD WORK HOURS: 37.5 hours per week

EMPLOYMENT STATUS: Full-Time 

EMPLOYMENT CLASSIFICATION: Exempt

PRINCIPAL PURPOSE OF JOB:

The Financial Aid Counselor's duties include counseling and advising students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluating Financial Aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collecting data and keeping accurate records.

SCOPE OF RESPONSIBILITY:

The Financial Aid counselor works to ensure compliance with Title IV regulations in the administering of federal and state aid.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

•    Ensures optimal use of financial aid funds by awarding funds from various university-controlled programs to students in accordance with established federal, state, and University guidelines.

•    Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office via group presentations explaining various financial aid programs and associated application processes.

•    Ensures student and parent awareness of the various financial aid sources during counseling sessions by providing timely information in a clear, concise, and user-friendly language.

•    Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping students and families complete appropriate and required forms; advising them of their rights and responsibilities concerning          financial aid and providing timely information about financial aid status.

•    Determines student eligibility for federal, state, and institutional aid.

•    Adheres to NCAA and the Southern Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SAIC) rules and reporting requirements.

•    Assists with the seamless operation of the office.

•    Provides workshops on financial aid processes, eligibility, financial planning and loan counseling.

•    Contributes to the broad-based management of the Financial Aid Office by providing input and adherence to office policy and procedure decisions.

•    Assists in the preparation of required statistical reports by collecting date and keeping accurate records on programs administered by the Financial Aid office.

•    Maintains cultural competencies and ongoing professional development via membership to local, state, and national financial aid organizations.

OTHER DUTIES: Performs other job-related duties as required.

QUALIFICATIONS:

•    Bachelor's Degree in higher education or related field.

•    One to three years of experience in financial aid and/or enrollment management or related field.

•    Experience in proven financial aid practices. 

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications:

•    Experience with Banner and other financial aid platforms.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES:

•    Excellent oral and written communication and public speaking skills

•    Knowledge of Title IV regulations

•    Ability to work autonomously, take initiative, use sound judgement, and make ethical decisions

•    Ability to work collaboratively with others 

•    Demonstrated competency in equity, diversity and inclusion.

•    Technologically savvy and experience utilizing electronic applications.

SUPERVISOR RESPONSBILITES: This position does not have supervisory responsibilities.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

•    Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office work environment.

•    No or very limited physical effort required.

•    No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Internal Candidates are Encouraged to Apply

Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the United States. At this time, Kentucky State University is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa

KENTUCKY STATE UNVERSITY is an Equal Opportunity Employer

The functions, qualifications, knowledge/ski/ls, and physical requirements listed in this Job description represent the essential duties of the Job, which the incumbent must be able to perform either with or without reasonable accommodation. The Jo