Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

We are searching for an experienced Financial Aid Counselor at our Arapahoe Campus facility. 

Click here to apply: https://naropa.csod.com/ux/ats/careersite/1/home/requisition/942?c=naropa 

Position Title: Financial Aid Counselor
# of Positions to Fill: 1
Department/Program: Financial Aid 55000
Work Location Authorization: Hybrid On-Site/Remote
Campus Location: Arapahoe Campus
Reports to: Director of Student Financial Services
FLSA Classification: Non-Exempt/Hourly
FTE: 100% (40 hrs/week)
Compensation: $20.43 - $25.24 depending on experience

Job Summary
The primary function of the Financial Aid Counselor is to assist students and families in applying for financial aid and financial planning to enhance the recruitment and retention of a diverse student body. This role serves as primary contact for current and prospective students requesting information or needing help with the student financial planning process. This role is additionally responsible for administrative financial aid processing, such as reviewing documents, resolving student eligibility issues, and the awarding of financial aid.

Job Duties & Responsibilities

Key Accountability 1: Student Customer Service 

•Act as a primary contact for students and families requesting financial aid and financial planning assistance via phone, email, Zoom, face-to-face, and group information sessions.
•Counsel students and families regarding financial aid, scholarships, program costs, budgeting, and financial literacy.
•Help manage the general mailbox for Financial Aid, answering questions and routing to appropriate staff members when necessary.
•Assist with student outreach regarding missing documentation and other aid related issues.
•Assist with review, data entry, and tracking of Student Financial Services related documents and appeals for additional financial support.

Key Accountability 2: Financial Aid Awarding 

•Review financial aid applications for accuracy and resolve conflicting information
•Manage Colorado State Aid applications, awarding, and utilization tracking
•Manage AmeriCorps funding and serve as institutional contact
•Award incoming and returning student with various forms of financial aid:  institutional, federal, state, and external agencies
•Assign COA budget parameters and student attendance patterns, reviewing for accuracy
•Revise previously awarded financial aid when additional funding is received, ensuring the student does not exceed COA
•Adjust aid for students who deviate from their expected credit-load or request and increase/decrease to their loans

Key Accountability 3: Student Eligibility Review

•Complete 2-step verification for all selected students, carefully reviewing all submitted documents to ensure compliance with federal regulations
•Ensure accurate and timely updating of FAFSA records when corrections are required
•Perform division of income on FAFSA applications for students requiring an adjustment
•Review citizenship documentation and perform secondary confirmation on federal sites when applicable
•Review any student financial aid related documents submitted for accuracy and complete data entry 
•Review student eligibility criteria issues, such as Pell LEU, UEH, Aggregate Loan, etc.,
•Assist with Professional Judgement process, working closely with students and families to gather documentation and evaluate eligibility adjustments on a case by case basis, in align with federal and institutional policies

Miscellaneous:

•Maintain working knowledge policies and procedures related to Student Financial Services.
•Maintain cross-functional working knowledge and proficiency of Student Information System (Ellucian Colleague) and Student Portals (Ellucian Self-Service and Microsoft Sharepoint).
•Cross-train with other Student Financial Services positions, to serve as back-up when needed.
•Other duties as assigned

What Naropa Require:

•All job candidates must hold a commitment to co-create a diverse and inclusive community and actively participate in related JEDI (Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion) professional development regarding the dynamics of privilege and oppression and the impact these have in the workplace.
•All job candidates must demonstrate their level of understanding of the dynamics of privilege and oppression, and the impact these have on equity, access, and opportunity.
•All job candidates must demonstrate an appropriate level of understanding of and appreciation for the values of Naropa University and the capacity to demonstrate an integration and embodiment of these values as evidenced in work, communication, collaboration styles, and other general workplace behaviors.
•Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher learning, 3 years of additional experience my substitute for degree
•One (1) year of financial aid experience
•One (1) year working with Student Information Systems
•Excellent oral/written communication – ability to clearly communicate complex ideas and solutions
•Attention to detail - thorough when performing work and conscientious about attending to detail
•Leadership – strength in taking an objective and resources and bringing the idea to fruition 
•Collaboration – capability to work well independently as well as part of a team
•Critical Thinking – secure relevant information, identify issues, and generate proposed solution
•Detailed knowledge of the Microsoft Office suite (particularly Excel)
•Proven exceptional customer service skills

What We’d Like You to Have:

•Four (4)+ years Financial Aid experience 
•Experience working with Colleague/Banner Student Information System 
•Demonstrated experience with awarding financial aid and/or eligibility review 

Physical Requirements & Environmental Conditions
During regular daily activities, employee must be able to do the following with or without reasonable accommodation; sit, handle/finger, interruptions/distractions, heat/cold and dust.