POSITION IDENTIFICATION
TITLE Financial Aid Coordinator - West Plains
CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1235
GRADE 41
CLASSIFICATION Nonexempt
IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Director of Financial Aid - West Plains
GENERAL FUNCTION
The Financial Aid Coordinator – West Plains counsels and advises students and parents on the various financial aid programs, assisting with the administration of one or more federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, evaluating Financial Aid applications in order to determine student eligibility for various financial aid programs, and collecting data and keeping accurate records.
MINIMUM ACCEPTABLE QUALIFICATIONS
Education: An Associate's degree is required. A Bachelor's degree is preferred in an appropriate field, such as Business, Communications, Public Administration, or Guidance and Counseling.
Experience: A minimum of one year of work experience in college or university is required. Preference will be given to individuals with more than minimum experience in a highly automated, financial aid office at an institution which resembles Missouri State University – West Plains in size and complexity of program administration.
Skills: Must be able to communicate effectively, both in writing and verbally, with students, parents, high school counselors, fellow employees, college administrators, and other constituents of the University. Must be comfortable speaking before groups of students and parents. Must be able to relate effectively to all publics and must have strong organizational and time management skills. The ability to develop knowledge of, respect for, and skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds is required.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Ensures optimal use of financial aid funds by awarding funds from the various university-controlled programs to students in accordance with established federal, state, and University guidelines.2. Promotes a positive image of the Financial Aid Office by making group presentations which explain both the various financial aid programs and associated application processes.
3. Ensures student and parent awareness of the various financial aid sources during counseling sessions by providing information to them and answering their questions regarding financial aid sources.
4. Assists students in the application process for financial aid by helping them to complete appropriate and required forms; by advising them of their rights and responsibilities concerning financial aid; and by providing them with information about the status of their financial aid applications.
5. Determines students’ eligibility for various financial aid programs by evaluating financial aid applications, verifying and correcting (if necessary) tax information electronically through the Department of Education, and accesses various websites for loan/grant history and calculates return of federal funds upon a student’s withdrawal if required.
6. Develops students' money management skills by assisting students with financial planning.
7. Contributes to broad based management of the Financial Aid Office by providing input to office policy and procedure decisions.
8. Assures compliance with applicable regulations, laws, and policies by monitoring eligibility constraints, reviewing processing for errors, resolving discrepancies, and making adjustments, corrections, and modifications.
9. Facilitates the delivery of financial aid to eligible students by evaluating eligibility variables, corresponding with and advising students in regard to their financial aid eligibility as it pertains to the specific program, and making awards and disbursements.
10. Limits the liability of Missouri State University to loss from errors or omissions by creating and maintaining appropriate records and performing appropriate bookkeeping functions.
11. Facilitates communication with various agencies by using software and database systems to electronically create, modify, extract, transmit, receive, and maintain financial records.
12. Contributes to broad based management of the Financial Aid Office by providing input to office policy and procedure decisions.
13. Assists in the preparation of required statistical reports by collecting data and keeping accurate records on programs administered by the Financial Aid Office and by designing and revising forms as appropriate.
14. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.
15. Maintains competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development courses, and attending training and/or courses required by the Director of Financial Aid.
16. Ensures that miscellaneous assignments are completed in the best interests of the campus and by accepting and accomplishing tasks which are delegated by the Director of Financial Aid.
SUPERVISION
The Financial Aid Coordinator – West Plains is supervised by the Director of Financial Aid.
OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
REVISED JULY 2024
