Financial Aid Counselor

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

About the role

The Financial Aid Counselor assists students and families in navigating the financial aid process and accessing the resources needed to finance their education. This position requires a strong understanding of financial aid programs, excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to provide accurate and comprehensive guidance to students from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities

• Advise and counsel students and their families regarding the financial aid process, unique circumstances affecting individual applicants, and available options for funding a college education through incoming telephone calls, letters, emails, and in-person interactions.
• Evaluate and review financial aid awards, process required documentation, and respond to student inquiries and requests.
• Exercise independent judgment to make appropriate adjustments to students' financial aid profiles in accordance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies, including the use of professional judgment when applicable.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations as they relate to assigned responsibilities, as well as the institution's goals, objectives, and policies regarding financial aid administration.
• Interpret and revise financial aid packages consisting of private, institutional, state, and federal funding sources.
• Cross-train with other staff members to provide backup support as needed.
• Rotate with other personnel to provide on-demand and walk-in financial aid advising.
• Participate in College Night events and other community outreach activities to present financial aid information and promote awareness of available financial aid programs.
• Perform duties determined by departmental needs (35%).
• Other duties as assigned (5%).

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, Computer Science, Social Science, or related field.
• Strong customer service orientation and excellent organizational, written, and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work individually as well as part of a team.
• Knowledge and experience in using a large database system.
• Demonstrated ability to process and maintain information that is often ambiguous and highly confidential.
• Understanding of and adherence to procedural and confidentiality requirements.

Skills

• Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by making group presentations explaining financial aid programs and associated application processes.
• Ensures student and parent awareness of financial aid sources during counseling sessions by providing information and answering questions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a financial aid office or post-secondary institution.
• Experience performing daily financial aid processes using Banner 9.
• Familiarity with federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs and the requirements for administering each program.
• Working knowledge of federal financial aid programs and supporting regulations.
• Working knowledge of Title IV program fund regulations.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations.

Benefits

As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, BRCC offers an attractive benefits package including:

• Retirement options.
• Multiple medical insurance options.
• Supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.).
• Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some childcare and medical expenses).
• 14 holidays per year, typically including a longer break at Christmas.
• Generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits.
• Employee Assistance Program.

Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort, and length of employment.

A pre-employment criminal background screen is required as a condition of employment.