Financial Aid Counselor 1

About Us

Augusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers in classrooms and clinics on four campuses in Augusta and locations across the state. More than 12,000 students choose Augusta for educational opportunities at the center of Georgia's cybersecurity hub and experiential learning that blends arts and application, humanities, and the health sciences. Augusta is home to Georgia's only public academic health center, where groundbreaking research is creating a healthier, more prosperous Georgia, and world-class clinicians are bringing the medicine of tomorrow to patient care today. Our mission and values can be found here. The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards.

Job Summary

The Financial Aid Counselor 1 position is responsible for determining eligibility for all aspects of federal, state, institutional, and other sources of student financial aid processed, and works closely with students and other parties who play a role in providing educational support for students. The Financial Aid Counselor 1 will support the persistence and retention of students receiving financial aid benefits through processing of required paperwork in a timely manner, advocating on behalf of the student when it is needed, and supporting the goals of the Division of Enrollment and Student Affairs and the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Responsibilities

• Counsel students and families regarding financial aid eligibility and advise on aid programs, distribution of aid, and renewal requirements.
• Counsel students on how enrollment affects aid amount awarded and how withdrawing or not meeting Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) affects future aid eligibility.
• Advise students and families regarding non-aid options (i.e., payment plan, etc.) to pay institutional charges by the payment deadline.
• Assist students and families with the completion and submission of required documentation.
• Work with students to identify and mitigate circumstances that might hinder their academic progress.
• Respond to student inquiries and administer student outreach regarding outstanding or incomplete applications for aid.
• Work with AU departments regarding admission, registration, academic advising, and account payment regarding aid available for students.
• Serve as backup for the front desk and participate in financial aid presentations and programs as needed.
• Use problem-solving skills to determine resolutions to records not loading or transmitting to the Department of Education (DOE) or state agency and/or Banner.
• Revise any inaccurate data and report corrections to DOE or the state agency.
• Collect and maintain proper documentation for audits.
• Assist with the review and processing of student aid for accuracy and to ensure compliance with the federal, state, and institutional policies and procedures related to student financial aid programs.
• Responsible for technical and various system functions for the processing of student aid.
• Assist with the various financial aid projects and functions that align with the university and department's mission.
• Collaborate with both internal and external stakeholders to ensure timely completion of tasks, student support, and adherence to compliance and best practice standards.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and one year of financial aid or related work experience, such as higher education or customer service required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with Department of Education software (i.e., National Student Loan Data Systems [NSLDS], Ed Connect, etc.), FA module of Ellucian Banner, and CampusLogic.