Financial Aid Counselor

Number of Vacancies: 1

Area of Consideration: Open To The Public

Position Status: Full-time, Regular

Pay Plan, Series & Grade: DS0095/8

Salary Range: Up to $81,241

Closing Date: Open Until Filled

Location: 4200 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Brief Description of Duties

The incumbent functions as a Financial Aid Counselor with program responsibility of Federal Work Study (FWS) or Scholarships for the Office of Financial Aid in the Division of Student Development and Success (SDS) at the University of the District of Columbia.

Evaluates and analyzes financial information submitted by applicants to determine eligibility for financial aid in accordance with established Federal Title IV, State and University guidelines. The candidate selected for this position will keep abreast of current federal, state, institutional and other regulations pertaining to student financial aid programs administered by the Office of Financial Aid. In addition to an assigned caseload, this position will also be responsible for administering scholarships (Institutional and External).

The position will be based on the Van Ness campus. However, it will require regular service at both the Van Ness and Lamond Riggs campuses to effectively support students and deliver financial aid services across sites.

The position also requires a solid understanding of the Board of Trustees' policies and procedures.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

• Maintain an assigned caseload and assess an individual student's financial need and their eligibility to participate in all federal student aid programs, including counseling prospective and enrolled students, parents, and community members on the various aspects of financial aid.  (35%)
• Perform federal need analysis to verify accuracy of information submitted on the FAFSA (10%)
• Evaluates the academic status of each applicant to determine eligibility for assistance as indicated by the U.S. Department of Education and the University as expressed in its Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy. (5%)
• Assist in processing Professional Judgment requests. Determines if students qualify for an unusual/mitigating circumstance; exercises professional judgment by adjusting cost of attendance (COA), student aid index, or dependency status. (5%)
• Presents information regarding federal financial aid, scholarships, student employment and grants for various campus groups, high school students and parents during orientation, first-year experience workshops and recruitment sessions. (5%)

Scholarship Program  (35%)

• Process scholarships, including the dissemination of information related to internal and external scholarship opportunities using Scholarship Universe, to include distribution, collection, awarding, and updating scholarship applications and new aid year set-up.
• Process all remitted tuition for staff, faculty and student leaders
• Serves as the liaison to the Department of Athletics and processes all Grant-in-Aid (GIA) for student athletes.
• Process all direct payment requests (440s) received from the Office of Finance.
• Serves as the point of contact for donors who wish to establish scholarship offerings at the University.
• Collaboration with donors, scholarship committees and other institutional partners.

• Other Duties as assigned. (5%)

Minimum Job Requirements

• B.A. degree, and at least three years of experience in a financial aid office working as a financial aid counselor.
• Candidate must be able to access all federal and state financial aid websites (NSLDS, COD, Partner Portal, etc.).
• Demonstrated skills in critical thinking and problem-solving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated basic computer software skills, such as Microsoft Office products, specifically Word and Excel.

Preferred Qualifications

The preferred candidate will possess the following additional qualifications: 

• Thorough working knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations, policies, and procedures.
• Ability to multi-task, prioritize, and meet deadlines.
• Working knowledge and understanding of Banner as it relates to student financial aid.

Information to Applicant

Collective Bargaining Unit (Union): This position is in the collective bargaining unit represented by AFSCME local 2087 and you may be required to pay an agency service fee through direct payroll deduction.

Employment Benefits: Selectee will be eligible for health and life insurance, annual (vacation) and sick leave and will be covered under the University of the District of Columbia' s retirement plan (TIAA-CREF).

Equal Opportunity Employer: The District of Columbia Government is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, family responsibilities, matriculation, physical handicap, or political affiliation.

Notice of Non-Discrimination: In accordance with the D.C. Human Rights Act of 1977, as amended, D.C. Official Code, Section 2-1401.01 et. seq., (Act) the University of the District of Columbia does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived: race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital status, personal appearance, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, familial status, family responsibilities, matriculation, political affiliation, genetic information, disability.  Sexual harassment is a form of sex discrimination which is also prohibited by the Act.  In addition, harassment based on any of the above protected categories is prohibited by the Act.  Discrimination in violation of the Act will not be tolerated.  Violators will be subject to disciplinary action.

Veterans Preference:  Applicants claiming veteran's preference must submit official proof at the time of application.

Visa Sponsorship: At this time, the University of the District of Columbia does not provide sponsorship for visas (e.g. H-1B). This position is also ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Residency Preference: A person applying for a position who is a bona fide District resident at the time of application for the position, may be awarded a 10-point residency preference over non-District applicants, unless the person declines the preference points. If selected, the person shall be required to present no less than 8 proofs of bona fide District residency on or before the effective date of the appointment and maintain such residency for 7 consecutive years from the effective date of the appointment. Failure to maintain bona fide District residency for the 7-year period will result in forfeiture of employment.
 

Drug-Free Workplace: Pursuant to the requirements of the Drug-Free Workplace Act of 1988, the individual selected to fill this position will, as a condition of employment, be required to notify his/her immediate supervisor, in writing, not later than five (5) days after conviction of any criminal drug statute occurring in the workplace.

Background Investigation: Employment with the University of the District of Columbia is contingent upon a satisfactory background investigation.  The determination of a "satisfactory background investigation" is made at the sole discretion of the University of the District of Columbia.  The University may refuse to hire a finalist, rescind an offer of employment to a finalist or review and may terminate the employment of a current employee based on the results of a background investigation.

Disposition of Resume: Resumes received outside the area of consideration and/or after the closing date will not be given consideration. You must resubmit your resume to receive consideration for any subsequent advertised position vacancies. For the purpose of employment, resumes are not considered job applications. Therefore, if selected for employment a UDC application will be required.

Job Offers: Official Job Offers are made by the University of the District of Columbia, Office of Human Resources only.

Contact Information:  All inquiries related to employment and job applications should be directed to UDC Office of Human Resources at (202) 274-5380.

The University of the District of Columbia is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action institution. Minorities, women, veterans and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. For a full version of the University’s EO Policy Statement, please visit: https://www.udc.edu/human-resources/equal-opportunity/ .