Financial Aid Counselor

Coordinate and facilitate Dunwoody’s Financial Aid process from start to finish. Educate students and parents on the financial aid process to ensure students meet financial aid deadlines and optimize their investment in education. Ensure the accurate retention and protection of student financial aid records.

• Counsel and guide students and parents on the financial aid application process for federal, state, and institutional financial aid.
• Act as a first point of contact for students in the Financial Aid office, and respond to inquiries in a fast-paced environment.
• Review and process internal and external financial aid documents with accuracy and efficiency.
• Identify and resolve conflicting student data issues to remain compliant with government regulations.
• Completes student verifications to ensure students are accurately packaged by established deadlines.
• Review and process special and unusual circumstance appeals.
• Revise student financial aid accounts due to status and enrollment changes.
• Process and certify student/parent loan applications after approval from guarantee agency.
• Acts as a liaison between students/parents and third-party agencies to complete the financial aid process.
• Participate in annual federal financial aid audit, assisting team with collection and confirmation of key data and materials.
• Engage with potential students providing information to assist with college planning and financial aid literacy.
• Completes other assignments and tasks as directed by the Director of Financial Aid.

Essential Job Functions:
Ability to think critically and strategically to develop new strategies and goals.

• Ability to talk on the phone.
• Ability to communicate difficult messages in a professional manner.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure and to meet frequently occurring deadlines.
• Must be goal and team oriented to build positive working relationships, and conduct business with attention to ethical considerations, and/or school/accreditation guidelines.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality as required by FERPA regulations.
• Ability to work with and communicate effectively with people from all backgrounds and at all levels.
• Must have strong organizational skills, exceptional networking skills, and consistently displaysdisplay the highest levels of integrity.
• Ability to work a flexible schedule including select evenings and weekends to meet college business needs.
• Ability to work daytime hours that includes on-site requirements.homehome.
• Ability to work an occasional event on evening or weekend when neededneeded.
• Must be professional in all aspects of the position including appearance, demeanor, and attitude.

Qualifications:

• Associate degree or equivalent.
• 1-3 years experience working in financial aid or higher education preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication skills.
• Excellent computer skills including knowledge of Microsoft Office: Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and/or Access.
• Have the willingness to learn specialized software such as PowerCAMPUS, PowerFAIDS, Canvas, ticketing systems and/or other databases/electronic aids, to be as self-sufficient as possible in day-to-day operations.
• Ability to work 40 hours per week.