FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR

Description

JOB PURPOSE

The Enrollment Management department exists to recruit and retain students. The Financial Aid Counselor contributes to this mission by counseling students regarding their financial aid, helping students through the financial aid process, staying up to date with Department of Education regulations, and owning the financial aid communication plan.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Counseling

• Act as the point person for serving students in all questions related to financial aid including but not limited to scheduled student appointments, emails, phone calls, walk-ins, and campus tours
• Ensure phones are answered, email questions are addressed in a timely manner, and students are helped promptly with questions when they visit the office
•  Educate students regarding federal, institutional, and external forms of financial aid
• Lead out in all communication to students as well as execute and maintain the financial aid communication plan
• Make yearly updates and edits to the communication plan
• Advise and assist students through the process when special circumstances and unusual circumstances occur

Aid Administration

• Work alongside the Financial Aid Office Coordinator to evaluate and package student aid as well as resolve incomplete student documents
•  Import student files into the office’s Student Information System
•  Review student accounts that need to be packaged or have aid adjusted for special and unusual circumstances

Compliance

• Have a knowledgeable foundation of regulations and guidelines from the U.S. Dept. of Education
• Be proactive in researching federal regulations and guidelines to stay up to date and ensure competency in counseling students accurately

Financial Aid Initiatives

• Plan and execute Financial Aid projects and events
• Assist in larger Enrollment Management initiatives such as on-campus events
  
  

BENEFIT PACKAGE

Full-Time employees are offered a comprehensive benefit package including:

• Medical
• Dental
• Vision
• Telehealth
• Health Savings Account
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Dependent Care
• Employer Paid Life & AD/D for the employee as well as dependents
• Voluntary Life & AD/D
• Employer Paid Long Term Disability
• Voluntary Short-Term Disability
• Voluntary Supplemental Benefits
• 403(b) Retirement
• Paid Sick Leave and PTO
• MBTS / Spurgeon College Tuition Reimbursement for employee and dependents
• Access to campus cafeteria and coffee shop
• Access to campus gymnasium, exercise facilities, etc.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Monday through Friday, 8 am to 4:30 pm
• Shared office environment
• Moving boxes and other small items (10-20 lbs) or moving larger cases and items on wheels (40-50 lbs)

Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS / REQUIREMENTS

Include, but not limited to:

• Christian with high integrity, actively pursuing a relationship with God
• Preferred education: obtained or working to obtain a master’s degree
• Part-time or full-time experience in business, and/or federal financial aid
• Intermediate to expert skill with Microsoft Office, especially Microsoft Word, Outlook, and Excel
• Able to multi-task, analyze workload, and prioritize as necessary for the benefit of the department
• Able to take the initiative to complete the duties of the position without the need of direct supervision
• Able to learn and utilize new skills and information to improve job performance and efficiency
•  Able to work independently as well as a part of a team
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal
• Must possess a positive attitude
• Able to show a desire and willingness to learn
• Must be able to pass background screening, including driving record
• Eligible to work in the United States
• Exhibits the Enrollment Management department’s team values:

1. Hungry: wants to grow personally and wants to see growth for the institution
2. Humble: displays a willingness to serve
3. Smart: understands systems and people
4. Happy: shows kindness and joy in all interactions and circumstances

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Frequently required to sit or stand for periods of time at a desk or computer station
• Occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach with hands and arms.
• Able lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.