Unclassified Employment Opportunities

Position: Financial Aid Counselor
Position Location: Student Affairs

Job Summary:
Develop and finalize student financial aid files consistent with Nunez Community College financial aid policies and procedures and with Federal/State regulations for awarding aid. Work closely with new, continuing, transfer and re-entry students to ensure students packaging and counseling sufficiently meets the students' needs. Counsel students on all acceptances and other matters related directly to the student’s financial aid packaging.

Minimum Qualifications/Work Experience:

• Associate's degree in a related discipline preferred and/or 1-2 years of financial aid or accounting experience.
• 2 years of experience as a financial aid professional at an educational institution preferred.
• Considerable knowledge of Federal and State funding programs preferred.
• Significant knowledge of title IV regulations preferred.
• Exceptional customer service, problem-solving skillsets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to make small group presentations as well as remarkable skill in interacting with students on a one on one basis.
• The ability to work independently and make decisions based on guidelines.
• Ability to prioritize, accuracy, follow-up, detail orientation and multi-tasking.
• Ability to work assigned/flexible hours necessary to complete the job on a weekly basis.

Preferred Qualifications/Work Experience:

• Knowledge of Federal and State funding programs preferred.
• Knowledge of Title IV regulations preferred.
• Dependability: Respond to requests in a timely manner.
• Teamwork: Balance team and individual responsibilities.
• Decision Making: Display willingness to make decisions.
• Communication: Effectively communicate with others.
• Time Management: Able to complete all job requirements in allotted time.
• Work Ethic: Display an organized and results-oriented approach, and motivation to perform without extensive direction.
• Accuracy: Display a high quality of work and level of accuracy.
• Innovation: Use a creative, solution-oriented approach to address problems.

Minimum Education:

• Associate's degree

Preferred Education:

• Associate’s degree in a related discipline preferred and/or 1-2 years of financial aid or accounting experience.
• 2 years of experience as a financial aid professional at an educational institution preferred.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Guide students through the financial aid process and ensure they are properly packaged and funded each semester. Primarily responsible for facilitating an exceptional customer service experience to prospective students and their parents by packaging financial aid, ensuring consistency with institution, state and federal guidelines.
• Provide counseling to students in partnership with academic counselors, to ensure collaboration based on student programs Counsel incoming, continuing, and reentry students on the availability of Title IV funds and resources to cover their tuition and living costs.
• Conduct group presentations, trainings and community outreach events to aid students with the knowledge of completing their FAFSA/ financial aid training Access NSLDS to review prior loan/grant information; review COD packaging for reconciliation of federal student aid.
• Assign the appropriate budget to a student and package the student (award their aid).
• Complete packaging in Banner for enrolled students which includes offering available financial aid to meet the student's needs and completing all necessary documentation.
• Review all ISIRs for enrollments for accuracy and resolve any issues (verification, C-code) Work with students to obtain the documentation necessary to process their aid if they are selected for verification.
• Review/process all required documents collected to ensure accuracy as mandated by the Department of Education Identifies and resolves conflicting information between Financial Aid documents and other student files within the college.
• Review weekly reports to ensure all students' financial aid has been processed.
• Effectively communicates with Admissions to ensure future registrations have obtained appropriate documentation for packaging.
• Provides updates to the Director of Financial Aid on students required paperwork to receive Title IV funding Provides counseling to students to ensure an understanding of financial aid Work collaboratively with all offices within the Student Affairs Office to ensure effective processing of federal student aid.
• Ensures that all students have been packaged with federal aid, or alternative funding.
• Monitors PLUS denials and awards unsubsidized loans.
• Revises award letters, notifies students via email, text(if applicable) and/or telephone.
• Completes default management processing and reporting Attends Orientation/Registration sessions for students, as scheduled Assists student questions on completion of Direct Loan Exit Counseling.
• Maintains positive thinking and current working knowledge of governing agency regulations and acts as specialist in the implementation and oversight of institutional policies/procedures to ensure compliance with federal, state, and other governing agency regulations.
• Ensure that aid is paid to students' accounts in a timely manner.
• Responsible for complete and accurate files and paperwork Complete Verification/QA and C Code Requirements.
• Utilize reports as appropriate to job duties Exceptional Customer Service skills Assist with or perform special projects as assigned.

Physical Requirements:

During time of peak times and reporting deadlines, this job may involve extended work hours. Work days during this time may include nights and weekends. Ability to be able to lift up to 25lbs, ability to perform the following activities minimally up to 10% of the time, Bend; climb; crawl; reach; sit; squatting/kneeling; stand; twist; walk; work above shoulder. 

Application Process:
To apply, send resume, unofficial transcript(s), and contact information for three professional references to: [email protected] (put Financial Aid Counselor in the subject line)

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. All applications are confidential, and references will not be contacted without the expressed authorization of the applicant.

The committee will begin the review of applications immediately. All applications are confidential, and any references provided will not be contacted without the expressed authorization of the applicant.

All new hires are subject to a criminal background check, in accordance with Nunez Policy 6.036.

Incomplete applications will not be forwarded for further review.

Nunez is an equal opportunity employer and considers applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Nunez is also a State As a Model Employer (SAME) agency that supports improved employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.

Voluntary Self-Identification of Disability
As an executive branch state agency, Nunez Community College is required by La. R.S. 46:2597 to establish annual strategies and goals related to employment of individuals with disabilities. In order to effectively measure and report our progress to this end, La. R.S. 46:2597 requires us to ask employees if they have a disability or have ever had a disability. Because a person may become disabled at any time, we ask all employees to update their information at least every five (5) years. Identifying yourself as an individual with a disability is voluntary, and we hope that you will choose to do so (if applicable). Your answer will be maintained confidentially. Completing the form will not negatively impact you in any way. For more information about this form or the Americans with Disabilities Act, visit the Office of the State Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Coordinator’s website at https://www.doa.la.gov/doa/office-of-state-ada-coordinator/.