Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Austin, TX

Southwestern University invites applications for a Financial Aid Counselor position. As a member of the Enrollment Services team this entry-level position works within the Financial Aid Office to support the student recruitment and retention objectives of the university.  This position provides direct financial aid services to students and families, to include the packaging of financial aid and counseling families on various financial aid programs.  In addition, this position coordinates various loan programs administered in the Financial Aid Office, coordinates the automated packaging of new student financial aid awards, and posts various external scholarship funds.  The position also ensures compliance in student record storage requirements in accordance with federal regulations. This is a full-time, fully benefited, exempt position who reports to the Dean of Financial Aid.  

Primary Duties:                    

• Provide direct financial aid services to current and prospective students, to include financial aid application review, packaging of financial aid awards and financial aid counseling.
• Manage the various student loan programs, to include the Federal Direct Loan, College Access Loan, private education, and institutional loan programs.
• Coordinate the automated packaging process for new students.
• Ensure compliance with loan exit counseling requirements, including the preparation and dissemination of exit counseling information for student borrowers.
• Coordinate the packaging and awarding of summer school financial aid.
• Monitor, review, and resolve potential financial aid over awards.
• Process payment checks from external scholarship providers.
• Oversight of compliance with student record storage requirements.

Additional Duties:

• Serve as financial aid liaison to an assigned group of admission counselors
• Review and resolve ISIR rejects and C-flags for new students.
• Monitor, review, and resolve potential financial aid over awards.
• Collaborate with various offices to support recruitment and retention efforts
• Conduct financial aid presentations on campus and at local high schools
• Other duties as assigned by the Dean of Financial Aid.

Position Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree or one year of college and 3 years work experience in a Financial Aid office

• Familiarity with federal Title IV and state financial aid programs.
• Ability to work independently with complex projects in a fast-paced environment.
• Excellent computer skills, including a thorough understanding of Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Excellent organizational skills and a keen attention to detail.
• Demonstrated leadership skills, including a strong work ethic.
• Willingness to adhere to the University’s core values.
• Possess excellent interaction and communication skills (verbal and written).
• Possess strong public speaking skills
• Have knowledge, understanding, and acceptance of cultural differences and the diversity within campus and community.
• Demonstrated professional manner with all internal and external University constituencies.
• Ability to be flexible, adjust to fluctuating priorities, and produce reliable work product.
• Proven ability to perform well in stressful situations.
• Ability to attend work consistently and maintain a regular work schedule.

Preferred Position Requirements

• One (1) plus years of financial aid related experience.
• Experience with Ellucian Colleague student information system
• Experience with Federal Direct Loan, College Access Loan, and private education loan programs.
• Familiarity with Federal Common Origination and Disbursement (COD) processing system.
• Bilingual in Spanish.

Southwestern University offers competitive salary and benefits including health, dental, life, long term disability, retirement, 15-paid holidays, vacation, sick leave, tuition assistance, access to athletic facilities, free parking and discounted meal rates.  Southwestern University is a selective, undergraduate institution committed to a broad-based liberal arts, sciences, and fine arts education.  Southwestern University is deeply committed to fostering a diverse educational environment and especially encourages applications from members of groups traditionally under-represented in academia.  For information concerning the University, visit our Web site at www.southwestern.edu.

To apply:  The University will only accept application materials through Interfolio at apply.interfolio.com/140729. Interested persons must submit a letter of interest, resume, the name and contact information of three professional references, and salary expectation.  Email and paper applications will not be accepted.  Only completed applications will be reviewed by the Search Committee.  The Committee will review all completed applications until the position is filled.  All offers of employment are contingent on successful completion of the University’s Background Check Policy process. Southwestern University is an E-Verify employer.  EOE/M/F

Inclusion is the deliberate effort to create an environment in which people from all backgrounds* are not only included but welcomed, valued, respected, considered, and supported within our community. People from marginalized (i.e., devalued) and/or minoritized (i.e, underrepresented) groups are heard, seen, respected and accepted in all aspects of our community. Southwestern University is committed to inclusive excellence that provides access and support, enables participation, and removes barriers so that all people within our community are empowered and can thrive in a campus that is welcoming and validating.

*including but not limited to people of color (race, ethnicity, nationality), sex, sexual identity, gender identity, age, physical and mental disabilities, socioeconomic status, religion, immigrants, and the intersection of these identities.

Jeanne Clery Statement: Notice of Availability of Annual Security and Fire Safety Report— Southwestern University Annual Safety and Fire Report is available online at https://www.southwestern.edu/life-at-southwestern/safety-security/annual-security-reports/ containing mandated information about current campus policies concerning safety and security issues, required statistics, and other related information for the past three calendar years. To obtain a paper copy of the report, please call 512-863-1435.

About the Company:
Southwestern University

Industry:
Education