Undergraduate Financial Aid Counselor

Job Announcement List Title:
Undergraduate Financial Aid Counselor

Post Date
1/9/2020

Expiration Date
2/8/2020

Details:
POSITION: UNDERGRADUATE FINANCIAL AID COUNSELOR

POSITION REPORTS TO: Director of Financial Aid

MISSION: Provide support to the daily operations of the Financial Aid Office. Provide expertise in the areas of specialization, accomplishing the work in those areas in a proficient and timely manner.

PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
Undergraduate Packaging Specialist and Financial Aid Counselor (75%)
Objective: To engage with students regarding their eligibility for federal and institutional aid and the necessary application procedures. To receive and review student aid application material, using federal and institutional guidelines, assisting students in completion of application file and preparing each file for awarding and sending the official offer of financial aid.

Responsibilities Include:

Take ownership over a specific population of students providing students and their families with individualized counseling in all aspects of the financial aid process, including verification, alternative financing, and responsible debt management.
Provide regular outreach and follow-up to students on outstanding items such as incomplete or missing loan applications, financial aid forms, and other documents required for packaging.
Determine financial aid eligibility of students based on institutional, state, and federal regulations; prepare detailed financial aid packages and award letters and certify student loan applications.
Perform regular file reviews to ensure compliance with institutional, state, and federal regulations; make adjustments to student aid packages and adjust funds based on changes to students enrollment statuses.
Review all pertinent internal and external data and reports to ensure aid is being processed timely and accurately, including, but not limited to registration reports, ISIRs, and transfer credit evaluations.
Provide Exit Counseling to graduating and withdrawn students.
Calculate R2T4s for withdrawn students and return funds as needed through COD; communicate with Student Accounts regarding funding adjustments.
Exercise discretion and demonstrate strong professional judgment when making decisions in special or complex circumstances; seek assistance from the Director and, when appropriate, provide recommendations to best resolve these cases.
Remain current on all institutional, state, and federal regulations and best practices; participate in regular training and professional development on best practices to ensure compliance.
Participate in visit events such as Campus Previews, Registration Days and New Student Orientation preparing and presenting Financial Aid information to students and parents.

Scholarship Coordinator (10%)
Objective: Provide resources to new and continuing students regarding institutional and outside scholarship availability.

Create and manage a searchable comprehensive scholarship database.
Coordinate with other campus departments to promote scholarship opportunities.
Meet with students regarding the availability of institutional and outside scholarships, providing expert counsel on applying for scholarships.

FWS Community Service Liaison (10%)
Objective: Serve as coordinator for FWS Community Service program.

Responsibilities Include:

FWS Liaison
Secure Federal Work-Study Contracts with Community Agencies
Correspond with offsite supervisors
Prepare job descriptions for posting through MU HR
Review students’ electronic timesheets
Communicate with students as needed with regards to their work off-site, employment requirements and on-boarding

Project Manager (5%)
Objective: To assist the Director with special projects and staff training as needed.

Responsibilities Include:

Review loan eligibility and revise awards as needed for academic standing increases.
Pull reports from PowerFAIDS and/or Reporting Central as requested by the Director.
Keep the policies & procedures manual up to date.
Assist with certification and disbursement of outside loans and scholarships
Assist with disbursement process.
Develop staff knowledge through research, reports and training.

COMMUNICATION SKILLS AND WORK HABITS
Objective: Maintain a Christ-like testimony in all aspects of the job.

Communicate openly and clearly in a Christ honoring and congenial manner, both within the department and to those outside the department.
Represent Multnomah well in dress and actions.
Show discernment in the use of time.
Communicate regularly and openly with Supervisor/Director.
Encourage an atmosphere of positivity, unity and collaboration among the Admissions department as well as other university departments, demonstrating support for the institutional mission and vision.
Attend and actively participate in all staff meetings.


Qualifications:
Job-Specific Requirements

Baccalaureate degree required, or 3 years related experience.
Prior experience working with PowerFAIDS preferred.
Strong written communication skills required to provide concise and high-quality counseling to students remotely.
Effective time management skills and the ability to self-direct and manage dynamic re-prioritization of tasks to best serve student needs.
Ability to classify and analyze complex data, apply understanding to financial aid eligibility criteria.
Willingness to study and develop understanding of federal regulations as they relate to financial aid in general.
Develop working knowledge of federal tax regulations as they relate to financial aid.
Demonstrated initiative and mature work habits (including appropriate use of institutional time and resources for personal internet and phone usage per the Directors discretion)
Willingness to cross-train with other financial aid staff and function in a teamwork environment
Cannot be in default on a federal student loan or in owes repayment of a federal grant status.
Must be able to acquire and maintain access to all Dept. of Education resource sites such as NSLDS, CPS and COD.

General Employment Requirements

Because we believe that professionally qualified, committed Christian personnel are key to the operation of a truly Christian college and seminary and that not only teachers, but all employees, by the pattern of their lives, serve as role models to our students, the job descriptions for all employment positions at Multnomah University contain the following statements relating to required personal qualities:
Employees will have received Jesus Christ as his/her personal Savior, John 1:12.
Employees will be in basic agreement with the institution's doctrinal statement.
Employees will believe the Bible is God's Word and standard for faith and daily living, II Timothy 3:16-17.
Employees will be Christian role models in attitude, speech, and actions toward others. This includes being committed to God's Biblical standards for morality and sexual conduct, I Timothy 4:12; Luke 6:40; Col. 3:17; Titus 2:7-8; 1 Thessalonians 2:10 and 5:22.
Employees will be actively involved in a local church.


Employer:
Multnomah Univeristy
Contact:
Naomi Perri

Address:
8435 NE Glisan St

Work Phone:
503.251.5337

Email:
nperry@multnomah.edu

Website:
https://www.multnomah.edu/about/info/employment/