Financial Aid Counselor

Job Description

The Opportunity

The position provides counseling services to students and parents regarding the application process for obtaining federal, state, private, and institutional sources of financial assistance. The position requires that counseling be performed in a variety of mediums -- in person, telephone, and by e-mail. Other responsibilities include monitoring individual student eligibility for aid awarded under specific programs and regulations; verifying the accuracy of information submitted by students on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); certifying the eligibility and processing of funds for federal and private loan programs; providing assistance in identifying all sources of financial assistance for which a student may qualify in order to continue enrollment at the University, and communicating with students with respect to issues or conditions that may have a negative effect on their continued eligibility to receive financial assistance. Work in a professional and congenial manner within the Financial Aid Office, within the university and in representing Embry-Riddle externally.

Advise applicants and their families regarding the financial assistance process and how it relates to other functions of the university by:

• Interpreting for students and families how the financial aid process and determinations of financial need are made.
• Participating in Student Outreach programs as needed.
• Determining when it is necessary to make referrals of students to other on campus support services.
• Advising students on debt management and planning of finances in relation to college costs.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of other university office’s practices that affect Financial Aid, i.e. Admissions, Records & Registration, Student Financial Services, Collections, Accounting, Career Center, Counseling Center, College of Continuing Education and Prescott and Worldwide Campus Financial Aid Offices, etc.  

Evaluate the eligibility of applicants for financial assistance funds by:

• Evaluating student aid applications in compliance with eligibility requirements stated in federal, state and institutional regulations.
• Determining student academic eligibility for assistance by applying standards of progress requirements in accordance with federal and state regulations and university degree program requirements.
• Resolving any inconsistent data on student aid applications and verification documents in compliance with Federal Student Aid Verification Requirements.
• Interpreting financial data submitted by students and families in order to determine the level of student financial need in relation to program guidelines.
• Applying student aid awarding procedures to determine what levels of financial assistance to offer students.
• Completing the necessary file documents in order to support determinations made in the offer of student aid.
• Determining student eligibility for state grant funds based on state laws and regulations and readjust federal or other aid as necessary.
• Determining student eligibility for assistance when external aid programs are involved, ROTC Programs, outside scholarships, etc.
• Determining levels of allowable student indebtedness in relation to prior year and current year academic standings and level of financial need.
• Determining, when necessary, with proper documentation to support, the changing of a student’s dependency status and level of financial need as deemed justifiable by the evaluator.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of all federal and state student aid regulations and related office policies and procedures.
• Maintaining knowledge of the rules involved in completion of IRS Tax Forms as well as other external income and benefit programs.
• Processing student financial aid applications as assigned on a timely basis.
• Reconciling a portion of the disbursements made with accounting office records and resolving any discrepancies.
• Disbursing scholarship funds in accordance with donor requirements and federal regulations.
• Maintain a working knowledge of military education benefits and other military benefits and their effect on student’s financial need.

Processing of Federal Stafford/PLUS loan programs and private loan programs with an approximate annual volume of $100 million for students and families.

• Responsible for timely certifying eligibility of federal loan applications for students and parents. 
• Maintaining a working knowledge of federal and state regulations as they pertain to the processing of Federal Stafford/PLUS loan applications.
• Transmitting electronically, Federal Stafford/PLUS data via currently used software programs using the internet and file transfer protocols. Requires understanding of computer file maintenance and downloading operations.
• Resolving any loan application processing problems with, lending institutions, or loan servicers.
• Completing lender requests for collection assistance to assist with default prevention.
• Helping students and parents through all aspects of loan application and disbursement.
• Maintain a working knowledge of each different lender’s requirements for certification and student eligibility as they pertain to the processing of private loan applications. Specific requirements for special state loan programs.
• Working with lenders to resolve any loan application processing problems. Acting as a liaison between students and lenders to resolve issues regarding certification and disbursement.
• Assist with monitoring and status of student loan funds received.
• Assisting in loan debt counseling as needed.

General Responsibilities:

• Producing automated correspondence as appropriate.
• Maintaining a working knowledge of all software products used by the Financial Aid Office, as well as software used by federal and private lenders.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

About us 

For over 100 years, Embry-Riddle has been the world's leading aviation and aerospace university, educating more than 30,000 students across residential campuses in Daytona Beach, Florida, and Prescott, Arizona, as well as through a global network of Worldwide locations and online programs. With more than 165,000 alumni around the world, our impact reaches every corner of the aerospace, aviation, defense and technology industries. 

Today, our faculty, researchers and professional staff are advancing innovation across aviation, space, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, autonomous systems and next-generation engineering. Working alongside industry leaders, government agencies and innovators, they are solving real-world challenges and shaping the technologies that will define tomorrow. 

Whether you are an educator, researcher, administrator, technologist or industry professional, your work at Embry-Riddle will contribute to something bigger than a job. Join a community driven by discovery, purpose and excellence—and help shape the future of aerospace. 

• Generous Time Off: Enjoy up to 18 days of paid leave in your first year, including 3 days granted upon hire and 15 days accrued throughout the year. You'll also receive 9+ paid holidays, including the day after Thanksgiving and the week between Christmas Eve and New Year's Day. 
• Tuition Coverage: Get 100% tuition coverage for yourself for one undergraduate and one graduate degree, and discounted rates for your spouse and dependent children up to age 26. 
• Retirement Contributions: ERAU contributes 6% of your base salary to your retirement plan and offers a 4% matching contribution – with no vesting period. 
• Personal Leave: Relax with 15 days of personal leave for non-exempt employees or 18 days for exempt full-time employees in your first year.  

 Compensation 

 
The hourly amount for this role is up to $18.91. The final offer will be based on the candidate’s skills, qualifications, and experience, as well as applicable state regulations, internal equity, and business needs, and may fall outside of the stated range. 

Qualifications

Required Education and Qualifications:

• High school (or GED) level ability in spelling, grammar, basic composition, and math.
• 1-3 years of relevant experience

Required skills, knowledge, abilities:

• Analytical skills with an in-depth knowledge of information systems and technical expertise with Microsoft operating systems, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook/email, and Internet end-user applications.
• Interpersonal skills necessary to deal effectively with staff, the public, various government entities and the university community.
• Demonstrated analytical abilities to handle complex administrative details with experience working in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment.  
• Comprehensive understanding of financial aid processing and eligibility requirements.  Experience with automated files management, tracking, and letter generating computer programs. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Must be able to multi-task and be deadline oriented.
• Excellent organization skills. 

Preferred:

• Bachelor’s degree
• Prior financial aid work experience

To submit your application for this opportunity, please visit the Embry-Riddle Career Site and search for requisition number R312223. Please attach all relevant materials to your application when you apply online. Complete submissions include: 

• Cover letter 
• Resume 
• Contact information for at least three professional references (please note that references may be contacted as part of the interview/screening process) 

Current Embry-Riddle employees: Please apply directly through the ERAU Employee Hub Central application within Workday. 

Embry-Riddle is committed to fostering a workplace where all individuals are valued and respected. We strive to ensure that all faculty, staff, and students are treated fairly and provided equal opportunities for employment, advancement, compensation, training, and other benefits of employment. Embry-Riddle makes employment decisions — including hiring, promotions, compensation, and other terms of employment — based on individual merit, qualifications, and abilities. Embry-Riddle is strongly opposed to discrimination and harassment, and such behavior is prohibited by university policy. Embry-Riddle does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, disability, veteran status, predisposing genetic characteristics, age, religion, or pregnancy status, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local law, in its employment, educational programs, admissions policies, financial aid, or other school-administered programs or activities. For further information, please visit our website. 

Embry-Riddle is not seeking assistance from staffing or recruitment agencies. All agencies are directed to contact [email protected] and should not reach out to hiring managers or staff.