Senior Financial Aid Advisor

New River Community and Technical College•Beaver, WV

About The Position

Job Summary: The Financial Aid Counselor Senior provides financial counseling services and assistance to students, regarding various types of Federal and Institutional Financial Aid available to facilitate the enrollment. Nature of Work: (Specific Areas of Accountability) The Financial Aid Counselor Senior is a non-instructional position responsible for supporting the operations of the Academic Student Affairs unit of an institution. Under minimum supervision, financial aid counseling for students, parents, and others interested in student financial aid and the financial aid process. Additional responsibilities include overseeing the daily processing of all documents submitted to the office through the use of a digital imaging system. Job responsibilities require considerable contact with students, parents, visitors and other staff members to attain common goals, in addition to demonstrated human relations and communication skills.

Requirements

Excellent computer skills (Excel, Access, Word Processing, BANNER and Internet)
Ability to multi-task while always maintaining a well-organized office.
Ability to understand and communicate federal, state, and College rules, regulations, and procedures.
Ability to remain up-to-date and knowledgeable of the College financial aid policies, as well as the basics of federal guidelines such as standards of progress, maximum awards, cost of attendance, student loan requirements, eligibility rules, etc.
Attention to detail
Adept problem-solving skills
Ability to communicate tactfully in writing and orally
Extensive knowledge of general office procedures and practices
Knowledge of government rules, regulations, guidelines, and processes related to the financial aid field
Ability to maintain confidentiality
Bachelor’s degree; Education, Business Administration or related field.
Customer Service, 2 years or more
Post-secondary education policies and procedures, 2 years or more
Knowledge of word processing, spreadsheet, and database applications are required
Drivers license

Nice To Haves

Experience with financial aid programs, preferred

Responsibilities

Counsels currently enrolled prospective students on financial aid procedures, eligibility requirements, aid availability, etc.
Answers inquiries regarding financial aid programs and policies.
Informs students of important dates of financial aid process deadlines, etc.
Analyzes and inputs student and family information from various financial documentation.
Maintains student financial aid records, including personal data.
Awards all types of financial aid based on established eligibility and packaging policies and guidelines.
Assists with special circumstances, professional judgment.
Monitors satisfactory academic progress policies.
Counsels the possibility of return of funds and overpayment for students who have withdrawn.
Assists in the development and maintenance of a comprehensive awarding policy, working with the Director of Financial Aid and others, to utilize campus-based and institutional funds.
Assists in implementation of pre-semester packaging, awarding, appropriation of financial aid notifications and disbursements, processing of verification of eligibility for financial assistance for students.
Review awards and adjust as needed.
Continually monitors ever changing rules, regulations, policy bulletins and statutes from the Federal and State government, other external agencies and similar sources.
Reviews possible eligibility for alternative loans.
Work with other staff to develop and monitor procedures for various WV state scholarships and grant programs which may include National Guard, Veterans, TAA/WIA or similar
Assists with student orientation, registration, admissions and student service activities serving as back up for other student service areas when needed.
Conducts financial aid workshops/seminars for various groups such as parents, students and high schools.
Attend financial aid conferences, seminars and training sessions in order to remain current on federal, state and other financial aid regulations as required.
Presents financial aid information to students and parents at on-campus activities, high school financial aid nights and other events as scheduled.
Creates and updates FA informational brochures, forms, letter formats and other student communication.
Reviews and updates website financial aid information.
Research and compile data for NetPrice Calculator compliance.
Receive, respond, and disburse as appropriate emails from the financial aid office account.
Disburse mass emails for such things as exit counseling requirements, satisfactory academic process notifications, and others as needed.
Coordinates annual High School Counselor workshop in conjunction with HEPC and WVASFAA.
Assists with archiving, purging, and disposing of sensitive financial aid documents under state and federal regulations.
Review all forms for completeness and accuracy including data entry into Banner, follow-up with incomplete and missing document notification to students.
Understand and recognize the interdependence of other areas of the college such as billing, admissions, and registration and work with those areas to resolve student issues.
Represents the college and department to appropriate agencies, or organizations, and the community.
Serve on college/departmental committees.