Inside Higher Ed · 1 day ago
Financial Aid Counselor 2
Augusta, GA
Full-time
Onsite
Entry, Mid Level
2+ years expAugusta University is Georgia's innovation center for education and health care, training the next generation of innovators, leaders, and healthcare providers. The Financial Aid Counselor 2 position involves determining eligibility for and managing the awarding of student financial aid, counseling students and families on financial aid programs, and ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.
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Responsibilities
Provide comprehensive counseling to students and their families regarding financial aid eligibility, available aid programs, disbursement procedures, and requirements for aid renewal. Educate students on how changes in enrollment status may affect their aid eligibility, including the implications of withdrawal and failure to meet Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) standards. Advise on alternative funding options such as payment plans to assist with meeting institutional deadlines and financial obligations
Deliver high-quality customer service by assisting students and families with FAFSA submissions, documentation requirements, and navigating the federal verification process. Proactively identify and support students facing challenges that may impact their academic and financial standing. Communicate with students to resolve outstanding aid issues and provide outreach related to incomplete applications. Liaise with external agencies for fund disbursement and collaborate with internal departments, including Admissions, Registrar, Academic Advising, and Student Accounts to ensure financial aid alignment with enrollment and billing activities
Review, reconcile, and verify financial aid data submitted via the FAFSA and supporting documentation to ensure accuracy and resolve discrepancies. Investigate rejected FAFSAs and employ analytical skills to determine appropriate resolutions. Assess cases for special or unusual circumstances that may justify professional judgment or dependency override. Make and report corrections to the Department of Education and ensure all documentation is complete and audit ready
Maintain compliance with complex federal, state, and institutional regulations governing financial aid programs. Interpret and apply policy updates while assisting with the awarding and adjustment of financial aid packages, including state scholarships and grant programs. Use accounting and reconciliation skills to ensure accuracy in fund disbursement, perform Return to Title IV (R2T4) calculations, and resolve fiscal discrepancies. Support technical processes such as system file loads and data integrity tasks as needed
Engage in ongoing professional development to stay current with regulatory and institutional changes. Support the implementation of new departmental initiatives and contribute to process improvement projects. Provide training and mentorship to other staff as needed
Perform other duties assigned
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and two years of progressive experience in financial aid, customer or financial services, or relevant work experience
Preferred
Experience with Department of Education software (i.e. FAA Access, National Student Loan Data Systems (NSLDS), COD, Return to Title IV, etc.) and Ellucian Banner and CampusLogic
Benefits
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Life insurance
Teachers Retirement System (or Optional Retirement Plan)
Earned vacation time
Sick leave
13 paid holidays
Tuition Assistance Program
Company
Inside Higher Ed
Inside Higher Ed is the online source for news, opinion, and jobs related to higher education.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageTotal Funding
unknown2022-01-10Acquired
2006-08-31Series Unknown
Leadership Team
Stephanie Shweiki
Director, Foundation Partnerships
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