Financial Aid Counselor

Job Responsibilities

Reports to the Assistant Director of Counseling & Special Programs, the Financial Aid Counselor provides to students, prospective students and parents information and advice on federal, state and institutional student financial aid programs, as well as alternative sources and methods of financing educational costs. Provides information and advice on institutional, state and federal student financial aid programs, as well as information on alternative sources and methods of financing educational costs, to students, prospective students and parents via telephone, email and in-person meetings.

Completes weekly reports, makes and revises financial aid awards, and resolves issues for a student caseload.

Represents the Office of Financial Aid at campus events and New/Transfer Student Orientation sessions.

Maintains awareness of federal and state rules, regulations and procedures for loans in order to accurately certify federal PLUS and private educational loans.

Solves loan errors as needed.

Processes Federal Work-Study, Voc Rehab FA certifications, SC Commission For Blind certifications, and a portion of the SC Teacher Loan certifications.

Serves as liaison with other departments for Federal Work-Study questions and concerns.

Reconciles Federal Work-Study each pay period.

Minimum And Additional Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree.
• Working knowledge of the federal, state and institutional guidelines for administering financial aid programs or the ability to learn and apply.
• Ability to be sensitive to the concerns of economically disadvantaged students and parents.
• Ability to defuse difficult situations/conversations.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to administer complex procedures and regulations and research and resolve complex issues.
• Effective interpersonal skills and the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students and the general public.
• Exceptional organizational, customer service, analytical, and oral and written communication skills.
• Must be detail-oriented and able to work with accuracy.

Preferred Qualifications

• Two years of experience in student financial aid.
• Relevant work experience on a college campus or experience in counseling, accounting or loan origination/management.
• Proficiency with MS Office and Banner software.

Additional Comments

Travel/Overtime Requirements: Occasional overtime during peak processing periods. To apply go to https://winthrop.peopleadmin.com/postings/22105. Telecommuting: Employees are not eligible for telecommuting/remote work during their 12-month probationary period. At this time, this position is not eligible for telecommuting based on Winthrop’s telecommuting policy.

Benefits

• Insurance Benefits: Health and dental insurance; prescription coverage and wellness benefits; term life insurance; long term disability; and flexible spending accounts for health and child care expenses.
• Retirement Benefits: Defined benefit and defined contribution plans; South Carolina Deferred Compensation Program (401(k) and 457 plan options).
• Workplace Benefits: Tuition assistance; holiday, annual and sick leave; discounts on purchases, travel and more.