Financial Aid Counselor - Financial Aid Office

Posting Number S1085P | 1 vacancy | Full-time, 40 hours per week | First shift (Monday through Friday, occasional extended hours or travel)

About the role

The Financial Aid Counselor provides financial aid services to undergraduate, graduate, and correctional-education students nationwide. The role involves conducting needs analysis, packaging aid, verifying documents, resolving discrepancies, exercising professional judgment, and counseling students and families on financial planning and money management.

Responsibilities

• Conduct needs analysis in compliance with federal, state, and institutional regulations to determine each applicant’s eligibility.
• Determine types and amounts of financial aid to award through the packaging process according to federal, state, and institutional requirements.
• Counsel current and prospective undergraduate/graduate students and parents on financial-aid programs, personal financial planning, and money management.
• Manage a caseload of students alphabetically assigned.
• Resolve conflicting information, SARC codes, and over-awards.
• Utilize professional judgment to adjust eligibility based on documented mitigating circumstances per federal regulation.
• Review completed verification documents for accuracy in compliance with federal regulations.
• Complete Return of Title IV Funds calculations.
• Participate in policy and procedure development, annual training, and professional development.
• Create, maintain, and present educational financial-aid materials.
• Perform other tasks as requested.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Arts from an accredited four-year college or university.
• Demonstrated experience in student financial aid or a directly related field.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Knowledge of and ability to research federal and state financial-aid rules and regulations.
• Excellent verbal and written communication, judgment, analytical, problem-solving, critical-thinking, and interpersonal skills.
• Effective organization and planning abilities.
• Ability to work independently, prioritize tasks, and manage deadlines.
• Ability to defuse difficult situations.
• Ability to manage a significant caseload.
• Adherence to data-confidentiality regulations (e.g., FERPA) and data-security policies.
• Currently authorized to work in the United States; Ashland University will not sponsor or take over sponsorship for an employment visa.

Physical Demands

• Professional office environment.
• Routine use of standard office equipment (computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets, fax machines).
• Regularly required to talk or hear.
• Frequently required to stand, walk, use hands and fingers, and reach with hands and arms.
• Occasional lifting of office products and supplies up to 25 pounds.