Financial Aid Counselor; PA

Career Opportunities with Finger Lakes Community College

The Financial Aid Counselor assists in the implementation of all federal and state programs, procedures, and regulations; assists in the dissemination of pertinent information to the campus community; assists in the processing of financial aid applications, the collection of all required documents and data, and the determination of awards; assists in the development and distribution of campus-specific mailings; works closely with the offices of Academic Advising Career and Transfer Services, Admissions, Community Standards and Counseling, EOP, One Stop, Student Records and Student Accounts to insure college compliance of federal, state, and institutional regulations and policies;

assists in the advisement and counseling of students on financial-aid related matters and refers students to appropriate departments for other matters; support college wide efforts for recruitment and retention; participates in staff development and training; assures the confidentiality of records; coordinates and implements outreach programs to students; assists in the intake of all paperwork and the coordination of outgoing communications; provides assistance and oversight of all federal aid programs (Pell, Direct Loans and Work Study) and operates as a team member of both the Financial Aid Office and the Division of Enrollment Management.

A flexible schedule is required to support evening and weekend activities related to recruitment and retention.

FLCC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion, and strives to provide an environment that embodies these principles. We strive to attract talented personnel from diverse backgrounds and traditions, particularly of race and ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality, culture, religion, worldview and physical and mental abilities. As such, applicants from historically under-represented groups are highly encouraged to apply.

Education: Bachelor's degree required;
Master's degree preferred.

Experience: One-year financial aid experience preferred. Community College experience preferred. Certified Financial Aid Administrator Preferred.

Special

Skills:

Must have excellent interpersonal and communication skills, the ability to comprehend financial aid regulations, knowledge of automated systems and a commitment to exceptional customer service.

Coordinates and/or assists with the export processes for federal files.

Organizes and participates in both on- and off-campus recruitment and retention activities, such as high school parent night programs, Admissions open houses and workshops and other community activities.

Represents the Director at meetings as requested.

Coordinates the collection of documentation of economic eligibility for the Educational Opportunity Program for their assigned caseload. Works closely with the Director of EOP to ensure economic eligibility determinations are completed and EOP targets are met.

Represents the Financial Aid Office on various committees on and off campus as appropriate.

Provides assistance and outreach services to our campus centers.

Counsels prospective and current students and their families on the phone and in-person.

Assists with front counter duties with staff.

Proactively reviews anticipated financial aid disbursements to student accounts. Analyzes refund reports to prevent inadvertent over payments which may cause an AR balance in the Student Accounts Office.

Assists the Director with the coordination of the SAP process, reviews SAP appeals, and creates academic plans in conjunction with the AACTS office.

Trains and provides guidance to Professional Academic Advisors (PAA) to ensure they register their students for the appropriate coursework to maintain eligibility in special aid programs like Excelsior, GI Bill, etc.

Conducts financial-aid workshops for new and returning students to help students complete and understand the financial-aid process.

Participates in professional development activities at the institutional, regional, state, and federal level.

Assists in the creation of computer-generated reports for the office. Analyzes, interprets, and provides relevant insights on data.

Assists in the answering of office phone calls

Assists the Director in maintaining the Ellucian Colleague system including testing Ellucian Colleague rules, algorithms, and quality control mechanism after upgrade and patching of existing systems, new integrations, and aid year rollover.

Assists in the daily intake of all paperwork including logging in forms received and helping coordinate outgoing communications with students and families

Assists the Director with parts of the FISAP.

Coordinates alternative/private loan processing, including, but not limited to, certification, reviewing error reports, and reconciliation.

Meets with lender representatives to stay informed about private loan programs, eligibility requirements, and application processes. Disseminates…