Financial Aid Counselor

Summary:

The Financial Aid Counselor provides and supports the vision and mission of the university and the Office of Financial Aid (OFA) by establishing and maintaining the highest level of customer service to Lynn students and parents. The Financial Aid Counselor awards students financial aid, processes the awards and advises the students on all aspects of financial aid and their student account. They will apply and be knowledgeable on all institutional, state and federal regulations. They ensure that they meet the mission and goal of the university. The counselor will participate in special projects and communication/outreach activities. The Financial Aid Counselor will provide accurate information to students and parents in-person or via e-mail, virtual platform and phone. The Financial Aid Counselor will provide high-quality, cross-functional administrative services that supports all OFA team members by promoting and coordinating student-oriented training sessions that focus on retention, recruitment, and are conducive to an overall campus team-building environment. The counselor will work closely with the Specialists to ensure the highest quality customer service for students, parents and the Lynn community.

Job Description:

Essential duties and responsibilities

• Package and process financial aid for students
• Advise students and/or parents on financial aid package and OFA-related processes
• Counselor assists Student Accounts in the management of the accounts receivable with the primary goal of decreasing delinquent accounts and encouraging timely payments
• Call students that are missing information or documents to expedite processing of their financial aid
• Assist in special projects as requested by OFA leadership
• Assist in completion of other counselors’ work during paid time-off or unplanned absences

Daily Functions

• Perform verification
• Package financial aid
• Update status of financial aid as needed
• Update all pertinent loan data prior to origination
• Review and approve student Refund Request Forms
• Contact students for missing financial aid forms as needed
• Contact students that have paid a deposit but have not sent in their ISIR
• Counsel students and/or parents about financial aid and financing options
• Answer phone calls concerning financial aid and account balances
• Consult with Admission, Registrar, Advising and other departments to help resolve student issues and concerns

Weekly Functions

• Recalculate financial aid as needed
• Review assigned student population to ensure timely disbursement of aid
• Assist the Financial Aid Committee in reviewing financial aid appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Professional Judgment (PJ) and endowed scholarship applications

Semester Functions:

• Graduated/withdrawal worksheets
• Assist with the student check-in process (new and continuing students)
• Adjust loan amounts and dates when returns are required
• Review pre-disbursement reports and revise award amounts if needed due to a change in the number of credit hours
• Conduct financial aid informational meetings as requested
• Participate in graduation send-off events
• Conduct New Student Financial Planning meetings via Zoom

Yearly Functions

• Assist in yearly audit
• Assist in outreach communication events geared towards their specific student population
• Assist in SAP process, to include canceling aid and notifying students

Functions as Needed   

• Assist the OFA Leadership Team
• Veterans Affairs (VA) certifications
• Attend seminars, conferences, webinars and other training opportunities
• Work flex-hours or extra hours during peak periods
• Assist in completion of other counselors’ work during paid time-off or unplanned absences
• Assist at OFA front counter
• Assist in any function in relation to the operation of the OFA Department
• Assist in ensuring completion of loan entrance and exit counseling requirements
• Attend/present at Preview Days, Admitted Student Experience (ASE) and other on-campus activities
• Participate in off-campus financial aid events (FAFSA nights, parent sessions, etc.)

Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities

• Microsoft Suite, PowerFaids, Jenzabar, Workday, federal regulations pertaining to Title IV aid, Florida state programs

Minimum qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university preferred
• Three to five years related experience.

Accreditation and equal opportunity

Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, age, pregnancy, parenting status, veteran status or retirement status in its activities and programs. In accordance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Lynn University does not discriminate on the basis of sex. Inquiries concerning the application of the non-discrimination policy may be directed to the Lynn University Compliance Officer/Title IX Coordinator at 3601 N. Military Trail, Boca Raton, FL 33431, [email protected], or +1 561-237-7727; or to the U.S. Department of Education Office for Civil Rights.

Lynn University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award baccalaureate, master's and doctoral degrees. Contact the Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, Georgia 30033-4097 or call +1 404-679-4500 for questions about the accreditation of Lynn University. 2020 Lynn University

Americans with Disabilities Act

Please notify us at least five days in advance if a reasonable accommodation for a disability is needed by calling +1 561-237-7639.

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report

In compliance with the Clery Act, the University annually provides a report to each student and current employee, as well as to prospective employees and students, that provides a detailed disclosure of information regarding campus security practices (including Emergency Response Plan, Timely Warnings, Emergency Warnings, Missing Persons, fire safety policies, fire prevention data, and Crime Log policies), as well as crime and fire-related incident statistics for the preceding year. The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at lynn.edu/securityreport

For your health, Lynn University is smoke- and tobacco-free.