Unclassified Employment Opportunities

Position: Financial Aid Counselor and VA SCO Official 
Division: Student Services
Reports To: Director of Financial Aid and Student Financial Resources  

Job Summary:
The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for developing and finalizing student financial aid files in accordance with Nunez Community College policies and procedures, as well as federal and state regulations. This role involves working closely with new, continuing, transfer, and re-entry students to ensure comprehensive financial aid packaging that effectively supports their educational needs. The counselor will provide guidance on financial aid acceptance and related matters, ensuring students fully understand their aid options and responsibilities. Additionally, this position is responsible for counseling veterans and certifying veterans' benefits through the VA Enrollment Manager system.

Duties and Responsibilities Summary: 

  • Primarily responsible for facilitating an exceptional customer service experience to current and prospective students and their parents by packaging financial aid, ensuring consistency with institution, state and federal guidelines. Guide students through the financial aid process and ensure they are properly packaged and funded each semester.
  • Counsel incoming, continuing, and reentry students in partnership with academic counselors to ensure collaboration on student programs and counsel students on the availability of Title IV funds, state funds, and other resources to cover their tuition and living expenses. Effectively communicates with Admissions to ensure future registrations have obtained appropriate documentation for packaging. Work with students to obtain documentation necessary to process their aid if selected for verification or have other outstanding financial aid requirements, including default.
  • Assist student with Veterans Benefits application process and certification of benefits, provide other information and veteran specific resources and programs to students, support students for transitioning to college life, and help with priority registration or other special accommodations related to VA. Keep accurate and up to date records on VA students and enrollment manager records. Stay current on rules and regulations related to VA and lead VA audits and other important information VA related.
  • Review ISIRs as needed for enrollments for accuracy and resolve any issues (verification, SAR C-code, etc) 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 by working collaboratively with all offices to ensure effective processing of federal and state student aid.
  • 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. Assist students with VA benefits and SNAP.
  • Ensures that students have been packaged with federal aid, or alternative funding and ensures that aid is paid to students' accounts in a timely manner. Monitors and awards Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized loans. Assign the appropriate budget to a student and package the student (award their aid). Help students as needed complete required financial aid documentation and provides updates to the Director of Financial Aid on students required paperwork to receive Title IV funding.
  • Access NSLDS to review prior loan/grant information, review COD for reconciliation of federal student aid, and access FAA to update FAFSA transactions with students. Review weekly reports to ensure all students' financial aid has been processed.
  • Conduct group presentations, trainings, community outreach, and FAFSA events on and off campus to aid students with the knowledge of completing their FAFSA, fulfilling Financial Aid Requirements, and understanding the financial aid process. Attends scheduled orientations and registration events to aid students with financial aid processes.
  • Assumes special responsibilities on assignment from the Dean of Strategic Enrollment and Student Success, Vice Chancellor for Education, Training and Student Success, or Chancellor. 

Required Education and Experience: 

  • Associate’s degree from an accredited institution.
  • Two (2) years’ experience in student counseling or working as a financial aid professional within an educational institution.

Required Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities: 

  • Knowledge of Federal and State funding programs.
  • Knowledge of Title IV regulations.
  • 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 professional 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 and for special events.

Preferred Education and Experience: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Higher Education Administration, Educational Leadership, Counseling, or a related field.
  • Four (4) years of experience in financial aid or higher education.
  • Experience using the VA Enrollment Manager system.
  • Experience with federal and state financial aid programs, including VA education benefits.

Application Process:
To apply, send resume, unofficial transcript(s), and contact information for three professional references to: [email protected] (put Financial Aid Counselor and VA SCO Official 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/.