Financial Aid Counselor

Financial Aid Counselor

SUMMARY

The Financial Aid Counselor reports to the Director of Financial Aid and fulfills a variety of administrative and professional activities designed to serve our student body and meet the strategic enrollment goals of the college. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to, counseling students and families, data entry and analytics, researching regulations, reconciling fund balances, evaluating processes and procedures, sending and receiving electronic files and supervising student workers. Candidates for this position will be evaluated on their demonstrated capacity to think critically, exercise good judgment and work independently.

This full-time position offers the opportunity to work a hybrid schedule after the completion of the training period.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Financial Aid Counseling & Communication

• Works with new and continuing students and their parents regarding the application for and renewal of financial aid as it pertains to accessing enrollment and satisfying their student account balances
• Participates in monitoring financial aid email account and addresses communications accordingly
• Reviews and packages new and continuing students recognizing the difference between consistent administrative functions and unique professional judgment that may be needed case by case
• Reviews and update financial aid forms and web presence

Financial Aid Administration

• Collects documentation from students and parents to ensure compliance with federal, state and institutional awarding guidelines
• Reviews and processes Federal Direct Loan Programs on behalf of eligible students and/or eligible parents
• Submits, receives and reconciles electronic records in administration of federal financial aid programs exercising accuracy and time management skills
• Processes Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations as a result of student withdrawals
• Monitors Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for students and reviews and processes appeals and communications
• Manages state grants, confirming eligibility, requesting disbursements from state agencies, responsible for reconciliation and coordinating periodic state audits
• Work with a variety of alternative loan programs and third-party scholarship agencies to secure funding for students
• Assists with Admission events designed to recruit and yield prospective students
• Designs and delivers financial literacy presentations used to educate new and continuing students, college staff and faculty and/or other community audiences
• Collaborates with appropriate personnel in other college departments including, but not limited to, Academic Advising, Bursar, Registrar and Student Central to carry out financial aid processes and properly advise students

• Supports and assists the Director of Financial Aid in streamlining processes, utilizing technology, assisting in data collection for annual audits and other inquiries
• Researches financial aid regulations to ensure compliance and maintain institutional eligibility
• May supervise student workers
• Accepts that occasional evening and weekend hours may be required
• Performs other duties as requested

QUALIFICATIONS

• Excellent written and verbal communication and customer service skills

• Evidence of strong organizational abilities, time management and attention to detail
• High level of logic and superb critical thinking skills
• Seasoned sense of judgment with ability to make professional judgment decisions
• Ability to work often with increased levels of autonomy and independence
• Ability to maintain patience, empathy and understanding while explaining complex processes
• Display a pleasant and outgoing personality and appreciate the importance of student data security
• Remains committed to increasing knowledge and strengthening skills by participating in various trainings, seminars and professional development opportunities on and off campus

EDUCATION and EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree required
• Minimum of 1-2 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid required
• Associate degree plus a minimum of 3-5 years of prior experience in the field of financial aid may be considered
• Proficiency in Microsoft Outlook, Word, and Excel and Google Suite
• Proficiency in PowerFAIDS and PowerCampus preferred but not required

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• The employee is regularly required to walk and talk and hear.
• The employee frequently is required to sit, stand, use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms.
• The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
• Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, ability to differentiate colors, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• The employee is occasionally exposed to outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate .

About Columbus College of Art & Design Columbus College of Art & Design teaches undergraduate and graduate students in the midst of a thriving creative community in Columbus, Ohio. Founded in 1879, CCAD is one of the oldest private, nonprofit art and design colleges in the United States. CCAD offers nine BFA programs and a Master of Professional Studies in User Experience Design that produce graduates equipped to shape culture and business at the highest level. Additionally, CCAD offers year-round community art classes for children and adults of all ages, led by local creators and designers skilled in their craft. For more information, visit ccad.edu .

About Columbus:

Columbus is among the Top 10 best U.S. cities for new college grads and one of the top 10 creative scenes in the country as well as one of the 15 most affordable cities in the U.S. As one of the nation's largest college towns Columbus is the type of city where creative activities flourish. There are eight distinct cultural districts that surround CCAD and there are more than 165 restaurants, pubs, and clubs in downtown alone. CCAD is a campus community located in the heart of this vibrant city.

EEO Statement

Columbus College of Art & Design ("CCAD") is committed to the principles of equal employment. We are committed to complying with all federal, state, and local laws providing equal employment opportunities, and all other employment laws and regulations. It is our intent to maintain a work environment that is free of harassment, discrimination, or retaliation based on an individual's race, color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, physical or mental disability, medical condition, gender expression, age, sexual orientation, veteran and/or military status, protected medical leaves, domestic violence victim status, political affiliation, or any other status protected by federal, state, or local laws. CCAD is dedicated to the fulfillment of this policy regarding all aspects of employment.