Financial Aid Counselor - Higher Ed. jobs in Moline, IL

General Information & Responsibilities

The Financial Aid Advisor III is responsible for the accurate administration and efficient operation of financial aid programs, including rules, regulations, policies, and procedures. Advises students and parents on financial aid programs and policies. Responsible for term-based reporting for potential aid adjustments and return of Title IV funds. Responsible for administering Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) program. Acts as secondary program manager for various grant and scholarship programs, as assigned. 

Salary starting at $44,235

Description of Duties

DESCRIPTION OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
 

a. Evaluates weekly enrollment reports to make aid eligibility determinations in accordance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies. Coordinates with Enrollment Services and the Bursar’s Office regarding enrollment details and account adjustments.

b. Advises students regarding enrollment adjustments, impact on current term aid, and various long-term aid eligibility considerations.

c. Reviews enrollment reporting to make official and unofficial withdrawal determinations. Calculates overpayments and subsequent return of Title IV funds in accordance with federal regulations. Updates federal databases. Coordinates with the Bursar’s Office regarding account adjustments and student notifications.

d. Advises students regarding SAP policy, status, and appeal processes. Calculates qualitative and quantitative measures for determining eligibility. Outlines academic performance requirements needed to meet standards and regain aid eligibility.

e. Manages Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) review and student communications. Leads the SAP Appeal Committee and evaluates appeals in accordance with federal regulations and institutional policy. Provides timely updates to students regarding impact on federal, state, and institutional aid eligibility.

f. Responsible for maintaining accurate reporting and records in accordance with federal and state guidelines. Provides records and reporting for annual department audit.

g. Applies problem solving and critical thinking skills when working with students and parents to answer complex inquiries and while assisting in the development and origination of financial aid programs, policies, and procedures.

h. Maintains up-to-date working knowledge of job-related regulations, policies, and procedures.

i. Communicates effectively with various constituent groups, including students, staff, and faculty.

DESCRIPTION OF OTHER DUTIES:

a. Acts as secondary program manager for the Illinois Veterans Grant (IVG), Illinois National Guard (ING) Grant, MIA/POW Grant, and other state grant and scholarship programs as assigned. Verifies eligibility, calculates and processes awards, maintains accurate records, updates state databases, submits timely billing requests, and reconciles funds, as needed.

b. Acts as secondary program manager for QC campus scholarships, including institutional achievement awards, Foundation scholarship awards, private scholarship funds, and other institutional aid programs as assigned. Verifies eligibility, calculates and processes awards, maintains accurate records, prepares correspondence with external agencies, reconciles funds, and returns funding to scholarship agencies as needed.

c. Provides frontline support, as needed, including student inquiries, intake, and application assistance.

d. Responsible for up-to-date knowledge of federal, state, and institutional financial aid programs; rules, regulations, policies, and processing.

e. Assists with department reporting and processing, as needed.

f. Maintains confidential student records and information.

g. Performs other job-related duties as assigned.

OVERALL ACOUNTIBILITIES:

a. Demonstrates BHC core values.

b. Accuracy, efficiency, and timeliness of work.

c. Works cooperatively with others.

d. Communicates in pleasant manner with employees, student, vendors, and general public.

e. Maintains confidentiality of records and information in accordance with the Higher Education Act (HEA), the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the Privacy Act, the Internal Revenue Code (IRC), and other federal and state guidelines.

f. Adheres to College, federal and state guidelines.

PRINCIPAL WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

a. Works directly with the Director of Financial Aid.

b. Works directly and cooperatively with Financial Aid staff and other Student Services staff.

c. Words directly with students, parents, and the general public.

d. Works directly and cooperatively with Federal and/or State agencies and third party vendors.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE: (To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required.)
 

a. Bachelor’s degree required.

b. Minimum of three years Financial Aid experience required. One year of related experience (such as loan officer, tax consultant, student records, admissions, etc.) may be substituted for up to one year of the required experience.

c. Intermediate proficiency using the Microsoft Office suite of programs required.

d. Minimum of two years excellent customer service experience required.

e. Effective written and oral communication skills required.

f. Demonstrated problem solving skills required.

g. Ability to work effectively with diverse populations required.

The above statements reflect the general details necessary to describe the principle functions of the described job; it is not an all-encompassing statement of all the work requirements that may be necessary to perform the job 

Supplemental Information

Black Hawk College does not sponsor employment visas.
Black Hawk College is an AA/EEO employer.