Job Posting: Financial Aid Counselor- College of Charleston

Posting Details

Position Title North Campus Team: Financial Aid Counselor Position Type Classified Faculty / Non-Faculty / Administration Non-Faculty Pay Band 5 Level 1 Department Financial Assistance & Veterans Affairs Minimum Requirements Bachelor's degree is required. Master's degree preferred. Two to three years of experience in financial aid administration or related field, preferably in higher education. Prior experience with Banner Student System or related system is preferred. Candidates with an equivalent combination of experience and/or education are encouraged to apply. Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities A thorough understanding of the financial aid processes, sources of financial aid, program eligibility requirements, and program regulations. A working knowledge of federal tax law and of the relationship between federal tax return processes and the financial aid processes. Have the ability to provide financial aid counseling to both adult and traditional-aged college students. Must be able to demonstrate understanding of the goals of the Bachelor of Professional Studies degree completion program and how it differs from general degree completion programs. Evidence of attention to detail is essential. Strong interpersonal communication and organization skills are required. Additional Comments Regarding Position Must provide own transportation daily between downtown and North Campus locations. Non-traditional hours, including evening and weekend work will be required to provide services for students attending evening or Saturday classes at the College of Charleston North Campus or for special events. Attendance at weekly financial aid meetings at the downtown location for staff meetings and/or training is required. Valid and current SC license is required. Requires periodic travel outside the Charleston area and occasional overnight stays. Special Instructions to Applicants List of 3 references with phone and email contact information. *Salary is commensurate with education/experience which exceeds the minimum requirements. Offers of employment are contingent upon a successful background check. Salary $31,182 - $44,438 * Posting Date 10-08-2012 Closing Date 10-18-2012 Posting Number 0600584

Job Duties

Activity: Essential or Marginal: Percent of time: 1. Serves as the primary financial aid counselor on the North Campus team and is responsible for delivering effective/efficient communication via one-on-one and group financial aid counseling, including educational financing and debt management to transfer and adult students, and in particular the Bachelor of Professional Studies Program (BPS). Ensures responses telephone and email inquiries are timely. Essential 30 2. Assists students and parents in navigating access into various systems to conduct routine business functions. Provides follow up guidance to students who need help establishing their College of Charleston email and MyCharleston accounts. Provides guidance to students in the federal financial aid processes. Provides guidance to parents in navigating the federal PLUS loan program application/promissory note/credit decision options. Coordinates information on the benefit programs and processes for Active Duty Military, Veterans, and Veteran Dependents with the Veterans Affairs Certifying Officer for the College of Charleston. Essential 20 3. Manages edit reports on students assigned in the counselor's caseload who are selected for federal verification of applicant data. Compares data on the ISIR record with tax and other data documentation, corrects inaccuracies, reruns the need analysis, flags the record for reporting changes to the federal central processor. Essential 15 4. Via cross-training, provides accurate and timely admissions, transfer credit evaluation, and academic advising to adult learners and transfer students on an as-needed basis, including special populations (e.g., academically at-risk students, active duty military and veterans, students with physical and/or learning disabilities, and students on academic warning, probation, and readmit students). Essential 10 5. Assists students with understanding the Satisfactory Academic Progress Policy (SAP) for federal financial aid eligibility and how it differs from the general academic policy of the College. Provides guidance to students on the SAP appeal process. Prepares a summary of the student's appeal for presentation to the SAP appeals committee at their next scheduled meeting. Communicates the result of the appeal to the student and updates the financial aid system appropriately. Essential 8 6. Participates in all OFAVA staff meetings and training activities is required. Serves as a resource person to institutional, community, civic and professional groups regarding financial aid programs and services. Coordinates attendance at statewide financial aid meetings and other professional development opportunities with the Associate Director for Client Services and Programs and the Dean of the North Campus. Essential 8 7. Reviews requests from students/parents who have unusual circumstances that are not reflected in their initial application for aid. Ensures appropriate documentation is obtained and cases are presented at weekly OFAVA staff meetings downtown for approval. Ensures that any adjustments to the need analysis data is executed in compliance with the OFAVA Policies and Procedures and in accordance with federal financial aid regulations. Essential 7 8. Ensures all student/parent information is safe-guarded according to general FERPA regulations, institutional policies, and with extended restrictions of the Office of Financial Assistance & Veterans Affairs Policies and Procedures. This will include the securing of documents submitted to the College of Charleston North Campus. Essential 2

For more information, contact Derwin (DJ) Simpson by email at simpsond@cofc.edu or by phone at (843) 953-7192.