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, educa