Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Benton Harbor, MI

Posting Number: 0000906
Reports to: Executive Director of Advising and Financial Aid
Department: Financial Aid
Classification: Classified/Support
Full or Part-time: Full Time

Job Summary:
This is a 40 hour per week, hourly position. Responsible for providing efficient and exceptional One Stop student-focused services, which includes but is not limited to answering questions and providing information about essential registration, testing, financial aid, records, and admissions intake processes; answering questions about the college and providing directions or general information; and performing basic student services functions. Welcomes and assists to the best of their ability anyone who visits the One Stop.

Essential Functions:
General/One Stop (30%)

• Sets a warm, friendly, and helpful tone for the frontline student services area and welcomes College community and guests accordingly.
• Complies with all appropriate policies, procedures, safety rules and regulations.
• Provides guests with directions to various places/buildings and events on campus.
• Manages check-in service.
• Provides contact information for short-term training questions.
• Runs student ID machine and software as needed.
• Assists students with general use of LMC email account and WaveLink/Student Profile; troubleshoots any username retrieval, password reset, or login issues. Refers to IT Helpdesk when appropriate.
• Collects documents from students and forwards to the appropriate department for processing.
• Assists the Admissions and Recruitment Department supervisors with projects related to data entry and cleanup, retention efforts, or other projects as requested.
• Assists with scheduling 4-year partner visits in the University Center

Admissions Functions (10%)

• Admissions Functions (10%)
• Assists students with the online application for admission.
• Maintains a basic knowledge of programs offered and provides handouts or direction to additional information on the web.
• Reviews student account for required enrollment documents and helps student obtain those documents if needed; is able to provide next steps based on account review.
• Maintains a basic knowledge of assessment tests, guides, center hours, and interpretation of scores.

Financial Aid Functions (40%)

• Assists students with filling out the FAFSA.
• Assists students with setting up FSA ID.
• Assists students in identifying and uploading documents required as part of students financial aid verification.
• Answers general questions about essential financial aid processes, student financial aid accounts, and verifications.
• Provides initial triage of financial aid questions/concerns for students who come to the One Stop
• Assists with processing, data entry and clean up, retention efforts or other projects as assigned.
• Attends financial aid training sessions as requested by the Director of Financial Aid.

Records Functions (10%)

• Assists students with online transcript ordering through Parchment.
• Assists students with review and interpretation of their degree audits and with graduation applications.
• Assists students with change of major, change of personal data, and residency updates.

Registration Functions (10%)

• Assists students with the class look-up and online registration via the student system(s).
• Interprets hold information and provides information and direction for resolving any active holds.
• Has the ability to review student accounts and provide next steps to registration.
• Assists students with signing up for payment plans online.

Other Duties:
Responsible for providing excellent customer service for all guests, greeting and welcoming customers and taking pride in being a member of the Student Affairs team. Ensures that all contact with guests is courteous, informative, and thorough, while maintaining adherence to College policy and procedure as well as FERPA and other federal or state laws and guidance as appropriate. Listens to understand student needs and asks intuitive questions to ensure the student is well assisted or referred to the next level of assistance when needed. Demonstrates a positive and enthusiastic demeanor for internal and external guests at all times. Constantly seeks ways to improve service. Resolves customer issues promptly and courteously.

Accountabilities:
Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director of Advising & Financial Aid, the Generalist, Financial Aid utilizes excellent customer service techniques in providing information and service to students, employees and the public.

Job Specifications:
Minimum Qualifications High school diploma. Two years experience in an office setting, customer service setting, or clerical/administrative work. Ability to interact with faculty, staff, students, and the public with tact and courtesy. Excellent verbal/written communication skills and follow-through. Strong customer service skills. Ability to work with accuracy and diligence; ability to prioritize and work well in a busy setting. Basic knowledge and experience using Microsoft Office. Strong understanding of data confidentiality and security.

Additional Desirable Qualifications Associate degree. Experience with a student information system. Experience in higher education, student services or Registrars Office. Intermediate or higher knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office. Knowledge of Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA).

Grade: B11
Salary Range:

Special Instructions to Applicants:
Information on our standard hiring process: Lake Michigan College will accept applications on this position for at least 14 days. Applications will be screened for minimum qualifications as received. Once a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received and sufficient diversity of applicants achieved, those applicants will be passed along to the search committee. Once the search committee has determined which applicants they would like to interview, those applicants will be contacted. If this process extends beyond 21 days, a communication of the delay will be made to all applicants for the position. If you have questions, please contact Human Resources at hr@lakemichigancollege.edu.

Official transcripts required upon hire.

Virtual Campus tour:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NMxd91KXcGs

Open Date: 10/25/2022
Closing Date:

To apply, visit https://lmc.simplehire.com/postings/4378

About Lake Michigan College
Lake Michigan College is a community college in southwest Michigan. We have three campuses -two of which are located ten minutes from our namesakes breathtaking shoreline.

Like other community colleges, we offer associate degrees, certificates, and even a baccalaureate degree. But what sets us apart from our peers is our seemingly limitless potential and our people - people who care deeply about our regions future and who are committed to student success and exemplary educational programs, strong alignments with both established and emerging industries, and productive partnerships with the communities we serve.

Faculty and staff at LMC enjoy excellent benefits and a supportive and friendly work environment. LMC recently received a Capital Outlay grant from the State of Michigan and a new millage from the southwest Michigan community, so the colleges facilities will be getting innovative, sustainable upgrades in the next few years that will contribute to the comfort, productivity and collaborative environment for all employees.

Living in Southwest Michigan
Southwest Michigan attracts millions of tourists who come for our beaches, wineries, and nationally acclaimed golf courses. But many who visit, choose to stay for our great schools, low cost of living, and high quality of life.

LMCs main campus is nestled in a watery and wooded wildlife sanctuary, yet its less than a half-days drive from major metro areas including Chicago, Milwaukee, Detroit, and Indianapolis.

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