Financial Aid Advisor

JOB SUMMARY:

Fort Valley State University is seeking a compassionate, bright, and innovative individual committed to continuous improvement and supporting students in achieving their goals. If you are dedicated to the premise that education changes lives, and are fully engaged in realizing that vision, we're looking for you!
The Financial Aid Counselor PT assists in the day-to-day operations of the Office of Financial Aid. The primary focus is support (phones, emails, and work queues) for Financial Aid. Additionally, this position will be responsible for various processing requirements.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Serve as the first point of contact for students/parents with the financial aid office to provide customer service through in-person, phone, and email.
• Primary on all assigned work queues, email, and message center communications.
• Provide financial aid information to students/parents regarding the application process, need determination, verification, and status of their financial aid application by all applicable laws, regulations, and policies.
• Serve as an information resource for incoming students, transfers, and re-entering students and continuing students to research and assist financial aid counselor/professional staff in resolving student eligibility issues, determining eligibility for financial aid, and award processing issues.
• Troubleshoot student accounts to ensure funds are received including following up with students regarding any missing documents, unit/program changes, enrollment delays, and the satisfactory academic progress appeals process.
• Support the collection of required documentation and processing of forms related to functional areas within the unit.
• Assist in the creation and maintenance of electronic financial aid forms
• Assist in the coordination of information gathering for annual financial aid audits
• Use Banner Document Management System (BDMS) to manage and process financial aid and other related documents.
• Monitor BDMS and electronic form submissions validate documents for release into BDMS.
• Use BDMS to scan financial aid documents and conduct a review of computerized imaging indexes of documents to ensure accuracy and conformance to accepted standards and quality for the imaging system.
• Travel to an off-campus meeting site to attend institutional workshops, on occasion
• Perform other duties as assigned.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Knowledge of federal, state and institutional financial aid programs, policies and procedures.
• Knowledge of the BANNER financial aid module.
• Knowledge of federal and state student aid online reporting systems.
• Skill in the operation of computers and job-related software programs.
• Skill in decision-making and problem solving.
• Skill in the delegation of responsibility and authority.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Equivalent to an associate degree from an accredited college, one (1) or more years of experience may substitute degree requirements
• Comprehensive knowledge of Title IV laws and regulations.
• Proven success in customer service.
• Excellent written and oral communications.
• Computer proficiency and organizational skills.
• Experience working with a complex data system, preferably Ellucian/Banner.
• Professional demeanor and ability to work effectively with various constituencies including potential/incoming students and their families, current students and their families, faculty, administrators, and the public.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

Baccalaureate degree in a course of study related to the field and three years' experience.

GUIDELINES:

Guidelines include the Federal Student Aid Handbook, state scholarship and loan regulations, the Default Guide, and university and Board USG policies and procedures. These guidelines require judgment, selection, and interpretation in application.

COMPLEXITY/ SCOPE OF WORK:

• The work consists of varied administrative duties. Strict regulations contribute to the complexity of the position.
• The purpose of this position is to assist in directing the university's financial aid operations. Success in this position contributes to the efficiency and effectiveness of those operations.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS/ WORK ENVIRONMENT:

• The work is typically performed while sitting at a desk or table.
• The work is typically performed in an office.
• Required to work some evenings and weekends