Financial Aid Counselor

Summary:

The Financial Aid Counselor provides and supports the vision and mission of the university and Student Financial Services (SFS) Department by establishing and maintaining the highest level of customer service to Lynn students and parents. The Financial Aid Counselor awards students financial aid, processes the awards and advises the students on all aspects of financial aid and their student account. They will apply and be knowledgeable on all institutional, state and federal regulations.

They ensure that they meet the mission and goal of the university. The counselor will participate in special projects and communication/outreach activities. The Financial Aid Counselor will provide accurate information to students and parents in-person or via e-mail, virtual platform and phone. The Financial Aid Counselor will provide high-quality, cross-functional administrative services that supports all SFS team members by promoting and coordinating student-oriented training sessions that focus on retention, recruitment, and are conducive to an overall campus team building environment.

The counselor will work closely with the Specialists to ensure the highest quality customer service for students, parents and the Lynn community.

Job Description:

** Essential duties and responsibilities
*** Package and process financial aid for students
* Advise students and/or parents on financial aid package and SFS-related processes
* Counselor assists Student Accounts in the management of the accounts receivable with the primary goal of decreasing delinquent accounts and encouraging timely payments
* Call students that are missing information or documents to expedite processing of their financial aid
* Assist in special projects as requested by SFS leadership
* Assist in completion of other counselors’ work during paid time-off or unplanned absences

Daily Functions
* Perform verification
* Package financial aid
* Update status of financial aid as needed
* Update all pertinent loan data prior to origination
* Review and approve student Refund Request Forms
* Contact students for missing financial aid forms as needed
* Contact students that have paid a deposit but have not sent in their ISIR
* Counsel students and/or parents about financial aid and financing options
* Answer phone calls concerning financial aid and account balances
* Consult with Admission, Registrar, Advising and other departments to help resolve student issues and concerns

Weekly Functions
* Recalculate financial aid as needed
* Review assigned student population to ensure timely disbursement of aid
* Assist the Financial Aid Committee in reviewing financial aid appeals, Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP), Professional Judgment (PJ) and endowed scholarship applications

Semester Functions:
* Graduated/withdrawal worksheets
* Assist with the student check-in process (new and continuing students)
* Adjust loan amounts and dates when returns are required
* Review pre-disbursement reports and revise award amounts if needed due to a change in the number of credit hours
* Conduct financial aid informational meetings as requested
* Participate in graduation send-off events
* Conduct New Student Financial Planning meetings via Zoom Yearly Functions
* Assist in yearly audit
* Assist in outreach communication events geared towards their specific student population
* Assist in SAP process, to include canceling aid and notifying students

Functions as Needed   
* Assist the SFS Leadership Team
* Veterans Affairs (VA) certifications
* Attend seminars, conferences, webinars and other training opportunities
* Work flex-hours or extra hours during peak periods
* Assist in completion of other counselors’ work during paid time-off or unplanned absences
* Assist at SFS front counter
* Assist in any function in relation to the operation of the SFS Department
* Assist in ensuring completion of loan entrance and exit counseling requirements
* Attend/present at Preview Days, Open Houses, Admitted Student Experience (ASE) and other on-campus activities
* Participate in off-campus financial aid events (FAFSA nights, parent sessions, etc.)
** Preferred knowledge, skills, and abilities
*** Microsoft Suite, Power…