Financial Aid Counselor

SALARY $35,568.00 – $43,108.00 Annually LOCATION Youngstown, OH
JOB TYPE Professional Administrative JOB NUMBER 202400215
DIVISION Student Affairs & Inst Effectiveness DEPARTMENT Financial Aid and Scholarships
OPENING DATE 10/07/2024 BARGAINING Association of Professional Administrative
UNIT STATUS Staff (APAS)
SALARY GRADE G3 FULL-TIME 1.0
EQUIVALENCY
Summary of Position
To counsel students regarding financial aid matters and conduct outreach services. To provide verification/documentation of Federal Student Aid Reports and utilize professional judgment to initiate overrides of data used in federal methodology.
Position Information
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Counsels students and parents concerning financial aid, financial aid planning, debt management, federal methodology, and student problem resolution.
Assists students and/or parents in completing federal financial aid application (FAFSA), completing verification, and adjusting income or other pertinent data on the FAFSA.
Evaluates and processes student requests for professional judgment according to established criteria; ensures appropriate documentation is obtained to support professional judgment decisions for audit and regulatory purposes.
Provides financial aid information to students in person, by e-mail and via telephone regarding all aspects of financial aid, including Veteran Programs, Pell Grants, Ohio Grants, Federal Family Education Loan Programs, scholarships, and special programs.
Provides estimate of financial aid eligibility when outstanding balances are owed, in writing, to Office of University Bursar and to student in order to permit registration of classes.
Counsel students regarding federal Title IV refund policy and subsequent financial consequences of doing complete withdrawal from classes.
Conducts Outreach activities including off-campus presentations (e.g., high school financial aid nights) as well as University programs; represents office as required at these events.
Conducts mandated verifications of Institutional Student Information Records in accordance with US Department of
Education guidelines, State guidelines, and University policy. Assesses adequacy of documentation provided by students (e.g., tax forms, legal documents, etc.) and resolves conflicting information. Tracks files and follows-up with additional requests or phone calls when necessary.
Assists other Financial Aid counselors, Assistant Directors, Associate Directors, Director and front counter staff when required.
Assists in development of office policy and procedure analysis, when needed.
Analyzes students financial needs to determine eligibility for financial aid.
Assists in developing office guidelines for professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, and loans, if needed.
Other Functions and Responsibilities: Performs other related duties as assigned.
Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.
Work Schedule: Typically, M-T-W-Th-F 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees.
Reports to: Associate Director, Customer Services & Special Programs
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: University policies and procedures; federal financial aid programs and supporting regulations; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; personal income tax as it relates to the financial aid process; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management.
Skill in: Use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/divisi