Financial Aid Counselor I

TITLE

Financial Aid Counselor I

JOB SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Counselor I is responsible for assisting with the administration of the financial aid programs at Texas Woman’s University, including the Denton, Dallas and Houston campuses. This position is responsible for effectively managing student inquiries and providing exceptional customer service concerning applying for and availability of financial assistance opportunities.  This position is responsible for explaining federal, state and university policies, procedures and regulations pertaining to financial aid. This position verifies applicant data and awards financial aid to eligible students while ensuring eligibility, renewal and funding program requirements are met. Work is performed under general supervision and performance is based upon completion of assignments and results obtained. The performance evaluation is conducted through the performance evaluation system and in accordance with the University Policies & Procedures.

ORGANIZATIONAL RELATIONSHIPS

Reports to:    Financial Aid Assistant Director 

Supervises:May supervise Student Assistants 

ESSENTIAL DUTIES -May include, but not limited to the following:

• Provides comprehensive financial aid counseling to students and their families.

• Ensures university compliance with applicable policies, procedures and regulations through continuous change when awarding and reprocessing aid.

• Evaluates and processes financial aid applications, reviews financial aid documentation and determines eligibility, including determining awards, auditing student awards and making necessary revisions.

• Assists in evaluating and processing of dependency change requests.

• Assists in cases where the use of professional judgment in special circumstance situations is required to revise student financial aid eligibility and cost of attendance.

• Assists in the development of departmental policies and procedures.

• Assists in the development and revision of departmental forms.

• Assists with the maintenance and coordination of document imaging.

• Processes financial aid requests, determines student eligibility, and verifies, packages and adjusts awards.

• Performs verification on selected applicants.

• Checks satisfactory academic progress.

• Reviews NSLDS student monitoring report.

• Responsible for and assists with specific special projects, as assigned.

• Communicates with students concerning identified issues.

• Trains and supervises student assistants.

• Conducts financial aid presentations and information sessions, both on and off campus.

ADDITIONAL DUTIES

• Performs other duties as requested. 

• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, university policies and procedures.

• Knowledge of, or the ability to learn, federal, state and university policies, procedures and regulations related to the areas of responsibility.

• Skill in using computer applications including spreadsheets, databases and word processing software.

• Skill in effectively working with students and their families in a friendly, courteous and professional manner.

• Ability to identify problems, evaluate options and recommend solutions.

• Ability to communicate effectively in both oral, in person or by phone, and in written form.

• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with students, their families, faculty, staff and the public.

• Ability to explain policies and procedures to current and prospective students, their families, faculty, staff and the public.

• Ability to set priorities and complete assignments on time.

• Ability to exercise sound judgment in marking critical decisions.

• Ability to accurately prepare and maintain records, files and reports.

• Ability to work with and maintain confidential information.

• Ability to learn office and university specific software.

• Ability to access all federal financial aid websites (NSLDS, COD, etc.)

EDUCATION

High school diploma or equivalent required. Bachelor's degree preferred.

EXPERIENCE

One year of general financial aid experience required.

REQUIREMENT

Regular and reliable attendance at the University during regular scheduled days and work hours is an essential function of this position.  

All employees share the responsibility of maintaining information security and privacy requirements within the university by adhering to Federal and State regulations, and TWU Policies & Procedures.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES - The following are essential:

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described in the Essential Duties and below are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential duties of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential duties.

The employee may be required to travel.  The employee must have the ability to occasionally lift and/or move up to 40 pounds. 

WORK ENVIRONMENT

All employees are responsible for maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination, intimidation, harassment, including sexual harassment. Work is normally performed in a typical interior work environment. 

SAFETY

TWU promotes a safe working environment. Employees are responsible for completing assigned tasks safely and efficiently, and supervisors are responsible for creating and maintaining a safe work environment. Employees must report any unsafe work conditions or practices, as well as any near-miss incidents, to their supervisor and Risk Management. Supervisors and employees should ensure that injury/accident reports are submitted to the Office of Human Resources and Risk Management within 24 hours of the incident.

The job description does not constitute an employment agreement between the employer and employee and is subject to change by the employer as the needs of the employer and requirements of the job change.

Texas Woman’s University, an AA/EEO employer, provides equal opportunity to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, or any other legally protected category, class or characteristic.

All offers of employment will be contingent on the candidate’s ability to provide documents which establish proof of identity and eligibility to work in the United States. Positions at Texas Woman’s University deemed security-sensitive require background checks and verification of all academic credentials.

If you are a male between the age of 18 and 25, federal law requires that you must be registered with the U.S. Selective Service System, unless you meet certain exemptions under Selective Service law. Under HB 558, enacted by the 76th Texas State Legislature, if you are currently of the age and gender requiring registration with Selective Service, but knowingly and willfully fail to do so, you are ineligible for employment with an agency in any branch of Texas state government.  For additional information regarding registration or status, you can contact the Selective Service System at 847-688-6888 or www.sss.gov.