Financial Aid Counselor Duties and Responsibilities
Purpose of Classification:
Evaluates financial needs of students from a variety of sources
including documentation of financial status and personal interviews,
Awards financial aid according to government and institutional
regulations and guidelines.
Distinguishing Characteristics:
This is
second in a series of four classifications and requires general
knowledge of financial aid programs and administration, and
government regulations and guidelines. It is distinguished from
Financial Aid Counselor Senior in that incumbents do not specialize
in a particular area of financial aid and do not supervise lower
level professionals. Although financial aid awards are made within
the guidelines and regulations of government, incumbents in this
classification use professional judgement in awarding or adjusting
awards.
Examples of Duties:
- Counsels and advises students about financial aid
eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, costs,
indebtedness, money management and financial planning and
individualizes information to the particular needs and situation
of the student.
- Collects and/or analyzes financial data on students to
determine aid eligibility and make awards within federal, donor
and/or institutional guidelines.
- Evaluates unusual/mitigating circumstance documentation or
information provided by the student; exercises judgment by
making adjustments or revisions to costs, contribution, need, or
dependency status as exceptions to the prescribed process.
- Answers questions, inquiries, or requests from students,
parents, or guardians in person or in writing regarding
financial aid programs and eligibility.
- Assists in the preparation of and presents information
regarding federal financial aid, scholarships, employment and
grants for various campus groups, high school students, and
parents at meetings, group discussions, workshops, and
recruitment sessions.
- Analyzes various system-generated reports such as grades and
enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance
and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and
institutional guidelines; notifies students of changes in
eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.
- Interfaces with students and lenders, employers, donors,
guarantee agencies and/or staff to resolve issues.
- Assists with other financial and activities such as
outreach, reporting and monitoring.
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Knowledge of government, donor and/or institutional rules,
regulations, guidelines, and procedures for awarding of
financial aid.
- Knowledge of and skill in automated processing.
- Skill in both verbal and written communication.
Minimum Qualifications:
Bachelor's degree in Public Administration, Business, Humanities or
other related field AND two years' experience in financial aid,
student counseling, or related experience;OR, Six years of
experience in financial aid, student counseling or related
experience; OR, Any equivalent combination of experience and/or
education from which comparable knowledge, skills and abilities have
been achieved.
Next: Financial Aid Counselor Senior Job Description |
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