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

Position summary:
This full time position serves as the initial contact for student aid recipients concerning the entire financial aid process, is responsible for daily personal interaction with parents, faculty/staff, community, and other school officials, handles compliance with federal guidelines, supervises work study students, reviews appeal packets for completion, schedules appointments and explains the Appeal contract upon signing by the student, updates J1 and PowerFAIDS software correctly and in a timely manner. This position will assist with verification of FAFSA’s selected by the Department of Education and will perform any other necessary duties for the Financial Aid Office as assigned.


Position responsibilities:

• Serves as initial contact for financial aid office to answer routine questions from students/parents, faculty/staff, and other schools /government offices in person, by email, and by telephone about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, need analysis, and costs of attendance.
• Provides information to students in regards to the “pending or complete” status of the student’s FAFSA application, receipt of required documents and forms, and provides a time frame in which to expect the Award Letter (file completion).
• Notification to students of the Suspension Appeal Committee’s decision on whether to the appeal was granted or denied.
• Schedule and discuss with the student, the Suspension Appeal contract, along with all requirements for successful completion of the appeal contract. 
• Maintain and update students records in the software (PowerFAIDS and J1). This includes reviewing ‘end of term” satisfactory academic progress and ensuring student’s, who breach a suspension appeal contract are updated properly in regards to financial aid eligibility. Enter comments on the student record for issues regarding the appeal process, documentation, and unsuccessful appeal contracts.
• Explains to students/parents and faculty/staff the way in which the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy affects student eligibility for current or future funding, and reviews student appeal contracts continuously.
• Provides answers to student questions regarding electronic processes and financial aid, Direct Loan requirements, and other issues related to data automation;
• Learn and utilize the Docubase Imaging System and the daily procedure of imaging documents into the system;
• Participates in the normal office staff meetings, giving input as to annual planning, and assists the Financial Aid Director with special projects as assigned.
• Supervises, trains, and works with the work study students on the Financial Aid front counter and notifies Director of any upcoming scheduled time-off. Schedule and ensure trainings are completed for all work study students including new and ongoing online training. Update and disseminate all information regarding Financial Aid from staff meetings, to the work study students, to ensure they have current and up to date information at all times. Schedule work study meetings on a regular basis.
• Submit weekly reporting and monthly reconciliation as requested by Director for all staff.
• This position will be the communications liaison between the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships, students, and staff. This position will assist with Virtual Advising.
• This position will also assist with the work study programs, as the back-up person.
• Run routine errands on and off campus to the print shop, business office, to Kilgore Campus for staff meetings, etc.
• Attend necessary training and development to remain current in the field, as required.
• Act as liaison for the financial aid office, with excellent public relation skills in answering daily questions.
• Will need to work some evenings during Registration and some Saturdays during the summer.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Associate degree earned or in progress in Office Professional or related field.  Customer service experience preferred.
• Computer skills required.  Spanish bilingual skills preferred.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Must be able to work independently, and show excellent multi-tasking skills.
• Must be able to handle high levels of stress.
• Must be organized, confidential, expedient, tactful, patient, detail oriented, and even tempered.

• Work is normally performed in a typical interior/office and classroom environment.
• No or very limited physical effort required; however, the employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 15 pounds.
• No or very limited exposure to physical risk.

Benefits and Perks

• 36-hour work week for a healthy work life balance as well generous paid leave time.
• Health, life, and income protection insurance are provided.
• An excellent retirement program through the Teacher Retirement System 
• Full Time employees have free use of the college’s recreational/fitness facilities.
• Tuition scholarships are for the employee and dependent children. 
• Compensation for this 12-month position is $36,725

Kilgore College does not participate in the federal Social Security program. As a result, employees/retirees of the college are subject to the federal Windfall Elimination Provision (WEP) and possibly the Government Pension Offset (GPO) laws. For information on the WEP and the GPO, visit the Social Security Administration's website at http://www.ssa.gov/gpo-wep.

Kilgore College is a two-year, comprehensive public community college with a campus in Kilgore and an extension center in Longview, Texas. With approximately 6,000 students, Kilgore College is a student-centered institution characterized by excellence in teaching and quality learning opportunities. Kilgore College is focused on continually improving their students’ holistic experience leading them to success in life while improving access to higher education and partnering with those who advance the vision of a stronger community culturally, socially and economically.

Vision Statement: We commit to be the higher education institution of choice in Northeast Texas.

Positions will remain open until filled. Teaching positions will be required to submit official transcripts upon an offer of employment. An offer of employment will be contingent upon passing a background check. Federal law prohibits the employment of unauthorized aliens. All persons hired must submit satisfactory proof of employment authorization and identity within three (3) days of being hired. Failure to submit proof within the required time shall result in immediate employment termination. All position appointments are subject to approval by the college's Board of Trustees.

This description is an overview of the job. It is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of duties and responsibilities of the job, nor is it intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities required to do the job. Duties and responsibilities may change with business needs. Kilgore College reserves the right to add, change, amend, or delete portions of this job description at any time, with or with notice. Employees may be required to perform other duties as requested, directed, or assigned. In addition, reasonable accommodations may be made by Kilgore College at its discretion to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Kilgore College is an equal opportunity and affirmative action institution and does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, religion, age, national origin, disability in violation of Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act or 34 C.F.R. Part 104, veteran’s status or genetic information in its educational programs, employment policies or activities.

Know Your Rights Employment Notice

Employee Rights and Responsibilities Under the Family and Medical Leave Act

All positions are located in Kilgore, TX. No fully remote positions are available at this time. All employees must be available to physically present to work on the Kilgore, TX or Longview, TX Campus.

All positions are considered security-sensitive and subject to a background check pre-employment.