1870 Financial Aid Counselor

POSITION IDENTIFICATION

TITLE Financial Aid Counselor

CLASSIFICATION NUMBER 1870

GRADE 42

CLASSIFICATION Exempt

IMMEDIATE SUPERVISOR Financial Aid Coordinator

MAJOR ADMINISTRATOR Vice President for Student Affairs

GENERAL FUNCTION

The Financial Aid Counselor's duties include counseling and advising 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: A Bachelor's degree is required. A Master's degree is preferred.

Experience: One year of successful professional work experience is required; experience in financial aid, university administration, or a related field is preferred. 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 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 the various financial aid programs by evaluating their applications.

6. Adheres to National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and Missouri Valley Conference (MVC) rules as communicated by the Associate Director of Athletics, Compliance related to dealings with student-athletes and/or Athletics Department personnel and reports any concerns or possible violations of those guidelines to the immediate supervisor.

7. Assists with the smooth operation of the department by assisting the Financial Aid Coordinator in the administration of one or more financial aid programs managed by the Unit.

8. Develops students' money management skills by assisting students with financial planning.

9. Contributes to broad based management of the Financial Aid Office by providing input to office policy and procedure decisions.

10. 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.

11. Contributes to a work environment that encourages knowledge of, respect for, and development of skills to engage with those of other cultures or backgrounds.

12. Maintains competency and professional currency through self-directed professional reading, developing professional contacts with colleagues, attending professional development coursed, and attending training and/or courses required by the Financial Aid Coordinator.

13. Contributes to the overall success of the Office of Student Financial Aid by performing all other duties as assigned by the Financial Aid Coordinator.

SUPERVISION

The Financial Aid Counselor receives supervision from the Assistant Director and/or the Financial Aid Coordinator.

OFFICE OF HUMAN RESOURCES

REVISED JANUARY 2011

JOB FAMILY 4

Factor 1: Professional Knowledge, Skill, and Technical Mastery

Level 2.0 - 900 Points: Entry-level professional knowledge of the principles, concepts, practices, and methods of non-technical administrative and managerial functions. Knowledge permits the employee to carry out basic recurring tasks and routine portions of assignments or to carry out less demanding professional elements of assignments in areas including communications, social sciences, art and design, education, and related functions while gaining in familiarity with the University's policies and goals, business practices and/or accounting systems. This level of knowledge permits the employee to schedule and carry out the steps of a limited operation or project to complete stages of a multi-phase project. Knowledge at this level is typically acquired through a combination of formal education and/or training and experience that includes a requirement for a college degree in an unspecified field or a specific background in a non-technical area. Knowledge requirements may also include a limited amount of related work experience.

Factor 2: Supervisory Responsibility

Level 1.0 - 50 Points: Typically, little, if any, supervision of others is required. The job may require irregular but occasional responsibility to direct the work of student workers and/or temporary or part-time workers. The nature of supervision is largely confined to assigning tasks to others and does not include a full range of supervisory responsibilities. The amount of time spent on directing the work of others is normally a small portion of total work time.

Factor 3: Interactions with Others

Level 3.0 - 250 Points: The purpose of interactions is to advise or counsel others to solve recurring and structured problems, and/or to plan or coordinate work efforts with other employees who are working toward common goals in situations where relationships are generally cooperative. Interactions are moderately structured and routine and may involve employees in different functions, students, and/or the general public. These types of interactions require normal interpersonal skills.

Factor 4: Job Controls and Guidelines

Level 2.0 - 250 Points: The employee carries out a group of procedures using the general methods and desired results indicated by the supervisor. Typically, standard operating procedures, handbooks, and/or reference manuals exist for most procedures, but the employee must select from the most appropriate of several guidelines and make minor adjustments to methods. Unforeseen situations are normally referred to others for resolution. Assignments are related in function and objective, but processes, procedures, or software varies from one assignment to another. Based on the assignment, the employee uses diverse, but conventional, methods, techniques, or approaches. Employees in jobs at this level may perform work that is moderately complex, but normally performed within a fairly narrow and specific functional area.

Factor 5: Managerial Responsibility

Level 2.0 - 400 Points: Work involves services including collecting, processing, and disseminating information and providing advice to others. Work activities may be complex and likely affect the accuracy, reliability, or acceptability of further processes or services to the extent that others rely on the advice given in order to make decisions. Work activities typically affect the efficiency of the department but have relatively minor effects on operations within the cost center. Individuals in jobs at this level are often responsible for actively documenting, monitoring, and controlling expenditures. Incumbents may recommend minor expenditures, but have no substantive authority over budgets.