Senior Financial Aid Counselor

What if I told you it is possible to find a Company that lived to educate, inspire and empower others while creating a family atmosphere that truly appreciates and respects their team? Would you apply? What if I threw in strong Company values, outstanding benefits, and the opportunity for you to make a tangible impact and feel appreciated?

See below for a feel of what the Company culture is (REALLY) like. Hint: it's amazing.

At Western State College of Law, we are constantly striving to be the best while valuing each of our team members as human beings and succeeding together!

Western State College of Law is a leader in innovative global education. We are respected for our transformative, technologically advanced programs and initiatives with a focus on excellence, social responsibility, and diversity. Our tagline – “Educate. Inspire, Empower.” – is a summary of our Mission Statement. As it suggests, the main focus of our University is to strive to enhance the opportunities of our students and employees to enjoy success through empowerment, as a result of their education and hard work.

With diversity and inclusion at the forefront of our core values, we promote a culture that celebrates diversity and inclusiveness regardless of, but not limited to, race, gender, sexual orientation, family status, religion, ethnicity, national origin, physical disability, veteran status, or age. By joining our team, you’ll be playing a significant role in our growth, having an opportunity to put your personal touch on Westcliff’s progress as we grow and succeed together!

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will work closely with students, staff, administrators, and faculty across the campus. Under the leadership of the Director of Financial Aid, law school key relationships include, at a minimum, working with the Registrar, Assistant Director of Student Accounts, Senior Assistant Dean of Student Affairs, and the Admission Team.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will coordinate the Federal Direct and Alternative Loan Programs as well as Veteran Benefit Awards and Reconciliations.

The Senior Financial Aid Counselor will work closely with students, staff, administrators, and faculty across the campus.

DESCRIPTION OF DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS INCLUDE, BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO:

Loan Programs

• Coordinate the Federal Direct and Alternative Loan Programs
• Follow up on missing information when appropriate
• Coordinate the processing of the Federal Direct Loan Programs through Common Origination and Disbursement (COD)
• Process/package Federal loans including Unsubsidized and Grad PLUS
• Process all error queries for Federal loan programs
• Reconcile Federal loan disbursements with Student Accounts
• Request missing documents, including MPN’s or counseling requirements
• Ensure Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) requirements have been met
• Ensure student loans are within federal loan limits or complete reaffirmation paperwork
• Make adjustments on loans as required
• Follow up on disbursement errors
• Review files for possible budget and award adjustments (over-awards)
• Run and review appropriate reports to ensure all aid is posted to Student Accounts
• Process certification requests and disbursements for private loans
• Authorize disbursements to Student Accounts for registration
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.

Scholarships

• Assist with processing new and continuing student scholarships
• Revise and adjust scholarships as needed
• Seek appropriate approval when needed
• Run and review appropriate reports to ensure all aid is posted to Student Accounts
• Other duties assigned by supervisor.

Veterans Education Benefits

• Act in the capacity of and/or collaborate with the School Certifying Official and coordinate Veterans awards, including the Yellow Ribbon Program
• Certify enrollment
• Create College Financing Plan (CFP) and review with each Veteran

Customer Service

• Provide in depth financial aid counseling to students as needed
• Answer questions about any program in a student's financial aid package, in person, Zoom, or by email with students
• Respond to telephone calls and email messages from students
• Ability to handle large volumes of work and accurately track numerous details
• Ability to work with high level of accuracy in a fast-paced environment with numerous interruptions
• Review relevant professional publications, and take action as appropriate to remain informed of legislative and other changes affecting financial aid programs and administration
• Create and administer oral presentations at student orientations as needed
• Represent the Financial Aid Office at the New Student Orientation and prospective student events

Other

• Other duties assigned by.

REQUIRED KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, and ABILITIES: Individual must possess knowledge, skills and ability to be able to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or be able to explain or demonstrate how the essential functions will be performed, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.

• Must have excellent technical skills to work with PowerFAIDS, MS Word, MS Excel spreadsheets, and Google sheets
• Must have excellent organizational and multi-tasking skills
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills
• Must have customer service skills and the ability to work effectively with diverse groups of people while handling high volume and multiple tasks
• Must be able to work effectively in a fast-paced environment

QUALIFICATIONS:

EDUCATION: Bachelor’s degree or any combination of education and experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and ability.

EXPERIENCE: A minimum of 4-5 years of financial aid experience required. Experience and proficiency with using PowerFAIDS a MUST, plus proficiency with Microsoft Office and Google suite.

HOURS: The regular hours for this position are 9:30 AM to 6:30 PM Monday through Friday. Hours may vary due to needs of the law school. May require periodic evening and weekends.

REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid

Physical Activities/Demands

· Moving self in different positions to accomplish tasks in various environments including tight and confined spaces.

· Remaining in a stationary position, often standing or sitting for prolonged periods.

· Sedentary work that primarily involves sitting/standing.

· Repeating motions that may include the wrists, hands and/or fingers.

· Communicating with others to exchange information.

· Self-assessing the accuracy, neatness and thoroughness of the work assigned.

· Moving objects up to 40 pounds.