The Financial Aid and Default Prevention Counselor administers the University’s default prevention program and is responsible for theadministration of federal, state and local funds, counseling students and parents. Additional duties include:

• Put into practice the default management plan and assist students in understanding the rights and responsibilities associated with federal loan borrowing.
• Responsible for counseling students and parents and assisting them through the federal and state financial application process.
• Responsible for reviewing the outside electronic aid resource reports and resolving any conflicting information.
• Provides assistance as needed to support staff person responsible for transmitting corrections to data received electronically.
• Responsible for reviewing applications and determining eligibility.
• Packages financial aid awards based on EFC and verification.
• Conducts outreach programs such as financial aid workshops and college night programs.
• Maintains an up-to-date understanding of state, federal and institutional regulations, and assures the college's compliance with same.
• Responsible for assisting reception area with phone and walk-in traffic.
• Maintains an ongoing understanding of the computer programs and their application to the administration of financial aid programs.
• Distributes, receives, and analyzes scholarship applications and guidance counselor. recommendations, making award decisions based on this information.
• Serves on both internal and external committees as needed.
• Processes Professional Judgments.
• Reviews files for verification.
• Reviews Satisfactory Academic Progress forms.
• Transmits corrections for Student Aid Report, reviews for accuracy, corrects errors and sends to federal processor.
• Responsible for processing revisions to awards and notification to the students.
• Responsible for notifying students via e-mail of funds received.
• Assists in file room, determining which files need to be relocated to inactive and storage areas.
• To perform other duties as assigned and additional related tasks in support of the University’s mission and goals.
• Evening hours are required for this position and additional weekend work may also be required.

Qualifications

• Must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree and a two to three years of financial aid, accounting, business, communications or related experience.
• The candidate must have the ability to plan, organize, set and accomplish goals; analyze/evaluate data and make appropriate recommendations.
• Candidate must also have proficient in use of various word- processing programs and other software; strong leadership skills; excellent oal and written communication skills; and, demonstrated effective problem solving skills.
• Familiar with Student Information Systems (ie. PowerFaids and Jenzabar).