Financial Aid Counselor I

About the role

The Office of Financial Aid is seeking a Financial Aid Counselor I to join the team. The Assistant Director performs need assessments for students requesting financial aid, provides counseling and assistance in financial aid packaging, and conducts need analysis to determine packaging options based on individual case circumstances. The role includes reviewing student applications for consistency and completeness, verifying the accuracy of student and family‑reported information, certifying applications, maintaining accurate and thorough file documentation, interpreting financial aid policies, and assisting in problem‑solving. The selected candidate will be expected to stay current on financial aid packages, state and federal regulations, and university policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Perform need assessments for students requesting financial aid and provide counseling and assistance in financial aid packaging.
• Review student applications for consistency and completeness, verify accuracy of reported information, and certify applications.
• Maintain accurate and thorough file documentation and interpret financial aid policies to assist in problem‑solving.
• Stay current on financial aid packages, state and federal regulations, and university policies and procedures.
• Document processing: determine when documents were submitted to the Financial Aid Office and understand how documents are received and processed.
• Need analysis and verification: understand information provided on FAFSA, CSS PROFILE, federal income tax returns, W‑2s, and USC forms; become proficient at processing both Tier 1 and Tier 2 files; review special‑circumstances letters; process Tier 1 budget, late, housing, and computer appeals.
• Aid coordination: analyze cost of attendance and budget for a student; differentiate between types of aid used to create a financial aid package; add awards to a student’s package as directed by a manager.
• Loans: identify the different loan programs on SIS; originate Stafford and PLUS loans; troubleshoot issues regarding disbursement of loan funds; assist with SAP or R2T4 as directed by a manager.
• Outreach: participate on phone‑contact shifts; attend FAO events as needed (both on and off campus).
• Compliance and training: use the FSA Handbook, Dear Colleague Letters, NASFAA resources, etc., to research federal regulations; identify student and program eligibility issues; assist with audits and self‑assessments as needed; draft policies and procedures for the Knowledgebase.

Requirements

• Minimum education: Bachelor’s degree (combined experience/education may substitute for the degree).
• Minimum experience: 0 – 6 months.
• Field of expertise: Financial analysis and evaluation.

Pay

Hourly range: $25.00 – $30.00.