Student Financial Aid Counselor II

Agency

Department

Under general supervision and as part of the CARE team the Student Financial Aid Counselor II will provide outreach literacy and counseling to students and parents about financial aid programs eligibility requirements financing options and student account related questions. As a collaborative group they work closely with the Executive Director and Associate Director and are responsible for the development and implementation of policies procedures and communication plans to ensure that Office and University wide goals are successfully met.

This position may pay more than the salary listed above depending on the qualifications and experience of the selected candidate.

Responsibilities:

• Provides daytoday case management advisement and counseling to students and parents about financial aid programs. Provide holistic approach to counseling and case management for students (and parents) which includes: affordability costs of education financial awareness campus resources and payment options. Provides clear accurate and personalized support to help students and families navigate the complex financial aid application processes. Coordinate application followup activities for new students including FAFSA completion application document completion and verification completion with the intent to assist student with early as possible completion of their financial aid application.

• Have direct contact with students and parents on an appointment walkin basis and over the phone and other communication platforms. Performs outreach (phone calls emails text messaging campaigns events etc. to current and prospective students who need assistance navigating their bills financial aid renewal refunds etc.

• Conducts events and outreach/retention programming to engage with students and to help ensure the ontime renewal of financial aid. Work closely with the leaders of the other areas of the CARE team members and CARE leadership (Academic Advising and Career Services) to ensure that programming and outreach conducted is uniform cohesive integrated personalized to target audiences and aligned with institutional with academic advisor to suggest various academic strategies to help a student meet the financial aid satisfactory academic progress requirements for the retention of aid.

• Works with leadership and colleagues to determine the needs for outreach programs projects activities and inperson/virtual services and identifies and advocates for best practices that enhance students experiences. Conducts Financial Aid 101 workshops Financial Literacy trainings High School Financial Aid Nights and other events throughout the year.Facilitate a noncredit financial literacy course available to students in both a synchronous and asynchronous format. Collaborate with campus partners such as the Center for Student Success and Career Services to extend the reach impact and network of support for students and families.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

Required Education & Experience:

• Bachelors degree.

• One year of related experience working in higher education including exposure to admissions and financial aid or case management in a related field.

Required Knowledge Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.

• Knowledge of financial aid counseling verification rules and regulations

• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

• Ability to work individually or as a team.

• Ability to organize and make decisions.

• Knowledge of the customer service and outreach processes as they pertain to the financial aid department in a higher education environment and of the related trends issues and accepted practices.

• Ability to write precise wellorganized emails and letters while using appropriate vocabulary and grammar. Ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of individuals and situations requiring diplomacy friendliness poise and firmness.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize work and meet deadlines.

• Ability to apply thorough knowledge of policies to a variety of individual situations. Recommends procedures to ensure compliance.

• Ability to work with people. Utilizes excellent constituent service skills with all interactions. Work accurately with high volume and instill similar standard with the counseling unit.

• Skill in effectively analyzing and interpreting policies practices and guidelines with strict attention to detail in all areas of work.

• Thorough knowledge of policies regulations and practices with student records services.

• Strong problem identification critical thinking and problem solving skills; judgment and decisionmaking ability.

• Ability to assess processes and implement improvements.Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Active listening skills. Customer service orientation. Interpersonal skills.

• Thorough knowledge of particular Financial Aid core functions.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Thorough knowledge of common Universityspecific computer application programs.

• Thorough knowledge of advising and counseling techniques.

• Thorough knowledge of University policies processes and procedures and of Federal and State laws pertaining to the privacy rights of students and access to student information.

• Thorough knowledge of BANNER software and its components.

• Thorough knowledge of thirdparty software NSLDS. COD CPS Awards Management/Blackbaud etc..

All positions are securitysensitive. Applicants are subject to a criminal history investigation and employment is contingent upon the institutions verification of credentials and/or other information required by the institutions procedures including the completion of the criminal history check.

Equal Opportunity/Veterans/Disability Employer.