• Address: Pomona, CA 91769 (map)
• Date Posted: 10/28/09
• Job Type: Full-time

Institution Western University
Position Title Financial Aid Counselor/Financial Aid
Job Location Pomona, CA
Description Job Title: Financial Aid Counselor/Financial Aid


Description:

The Financial Aid Counselor (FAC) is an administrative staff position under the general supervision of the Director of Financial Aid. The FAC is responsible for counseling students regarding financial aid issues, process financial aid and notify students of their financial aid. The position requires a strong commitment to customer service, accuracy, and compliance with federal regulations. The FAC must have the ability to perform multiple tasks, proven problem-solving skills, and knowledge of federal financial aid processes and programs.


Description of Duties and Tasks:

1. Analyze and evaluate the eligibility of graduate financial aid applicants using federal tax forms and other financial documents to determine financial strength. This includes the determinations of awards, coordination of benefits and resources, and certification of loans.

2. Maintain accurate department and student records. This includes processing refunds, disbursements, and budget adjustments.

3. Provides critical and diverse counseling to financial aid applicants, students, and community in an accurate, timely, and professional manner. Each counselor is expected to exercise professional judgment which includes intervention advising and explaining and interpret student loans repayment requirements and options.

4. Develops and implements institutional policy, philosophy and procedures to effect distribution of student aid funds in accordance will applicable federal and system regulations. This includes development of student budgets, enrollment and disbursement dates of federal and private funds, and departmental policy and procedures.

5. Each counselor is expected to manage a complex work load in a professional manner along with being able to multi-task the daily operations of the Financial Aid Office. Counselors are also responsible for providing leadership and training to other Financial Aid Office staff.

6. Counselors are also responsible for oral presentations and conducts workshops for students, parents, and staff. Counselors interact with other departments including Admissions, Student Affairs, Business Office, and all academic program offices. Counselors represent the university at outreach activities, and attend workshops and conferences. Serves as liaison with lenders, guarantee agencies and other universities.

7. Web Content Administrator - responsible for the financial aid public web site which includes; content, content report, link report, and binary files. Web content changes and up-dates to the financial aid web site as needed on an on going basis.

8. Coordinator of Brown Bag Lunch Seminars for all students in all programs. Coordinate and set up with departments on campus, guest speakers and scheduling a variety of financial aid topics that are informational sessions educating our students on many areas having to do with borrowing, debt management and consolidation.

9. Administer and oversee the Entrance and Exit Loan Counseling process of new students. Manage the Great Lakes program on-line for our exit and entrance interviews, training of staff, obtaining and tracking of the entrances and exits of all students in all programs.


Skills:

Individuals must possess the knowledge, skills, and abilities or be able to explain and demonstrate that the individual can perform the essential functions of the job, with or without reasonable accommodation, using some other combination of skills and abilities.


1. Good verbal and written communication skills must be able to effectively interact with applicants, staff, and other outside contacts.

2. Good computer skills necessary to set up document formats in Word, Excel, and any other software program required in this position. Familiarity with the use of the Internet.


Qualification Standards:

1. Education: Any combination of education and/or experience equivalent to a Bachelor's degree or any combination education, training, or experience that provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities.

2. Experience: 3 years financial aid experience


Salary: DOQ

Grade Level: Exempt

Position Begins: Immediately

Location: Financial Aid Office


E-mail: employment@westernu.edu

FAX: 909-469-5489