***Internal Classified Unit Employees who apply in the first 5 working days from publish date will be given due consideration. External applicants will only be considered, after all qualified internal candidates have been deemed unsuccessful.***
Department Financial Aid
Position Summary:
Serves as main conduit for students on the campus level. Counselors are expected to be student centered, to provide exceptional customer service for students, and to educate students, parents and other campus staff on the entire financial aid process. Responsible for ensuring students in assigned caseload have an understanding of the entire financial aid process. Assists students and parents with completing initial financial aid applications and all forms required to complete their files in a timely manner. Counsel students to obtain the appropriate documents needed to evaluate and interpret necessary personal and household income/asset information to comply with federal verification requirements. Monitors student academic progress to determine initial and continual eligibility for financial aid, and communicates the process and consequences to students. Responsible for maintaining student financial aid files and all documents required to process financial aid. Maintains and monitors student aid documents input to the student information system (BANNER), and evaluates output of automated data. Meets benchmarks for communicating with students, collecting documents and indexing them in BANNER. Responsible for interpreting and explaining financial aid policies and regulations to students, parents and other campus staff. Acts as liaison between the student and processing team to communicated student service issues. Utilizing multiple media, communicates clearly and effectively with students, and on their behalf. Must have a current working knowledge of all Federal, state and institutional aid offered at STLCC, including Veteran Benefits. Evaluates student financial need and recommends aid programs for which to apply. Assists students in securing part-time and college work-study student employment. Processes and reviews student time sheets and monitors eligibility status. For students in assigned caseload, monitors processing of Federal Grants (Pell and SEOG) direct loans (Stafford and Parent loans), state aid (A-Plus, Missouri access, Bright Flight and others), institutional and any outside awards, until all aid has been disbursed. Effectively utilizes the BANNER system and all other applications according to the policy and procedures provided. Actively participates in training and assists in developing internal procedures.
Primary Duties Performed:
Respond to in-person student inquiries and requests · Provide assistance to student in completing online compliance training module. Provide assistance and support to student in understanding financial aid processes Work with Student Accounts to aggregate data on loans, federal and state grants, scholarships, and outstanding receivables. Provide Front Line Customer Service to students Intake any non-online documentation of paperwork Scan and upload student documentation upon delivery Assist in the completion of the basic steps of FAFSA form Accept Special Circumstance and SAP cases at the front desk and forward to District office Assist with student filing requests for transcripts online Assist students with online process for transcripts. Assist prospective students in completing their application using campus computers · Assist student with Banner Self-Service questions · Assist in completion of Verification worksheets and collection of Verification documents · Assist with the use of the Tuition Calculator and online tools · Advise applicants, students, and parents on financial aid application process, policies and procedures · Provide complex and detailed financial aid information in terms students can understand · Providing outstanding customer service while demonstrating patience · Advising students about financial aid eligibility, available financial aid programs; educational costs, and financial management strategies including loans, financing options, debt management and budgeting · Serve as student liaison to other college offices · Assist students and parents with resolving problems and selecting appropriate solutions/ courses of action · Manage student case load from beginning of process (student inquiry) to end (disbursement) · Works in close collaboration with other departments to ensure that all financial aid processes are in compliance with policies, regulations for financial aid awarding, counseling, and record keeping. Conduct complex conversations with students regarding Financial Aid Packaging (including verification of financial aid files, special circumstance cases, SAP appeal decisions, cost of attendance adjustments, return of Title IV funds and other adjustments to packages and awards). · Discuss the status of financial aid disbursement and financial aid refunds · Address the impact of dropping classes on a student's financial aid with a student either in person or over the phone · Review and provide guidance regarding financial aid packaging within Banner · Provide debt education to students via online training · Provide direction regarding Work Study options · Advise on financial aid processes for returning student · Provide guidance regarding Veteran's Affairs benefits · Provide information to students on expectations, timelines and processes
Required Qualifications:
Prefer applications with a Bachelor Degree and a minimum of 2 years of experience working in Financial Aid but will also consider applicants with an Associate degree and a minimum of 5 years of experience working in a Financial Aid Office counseling students. The ability to communicate effectively in a professional manner is a must. Counselors are required to have or obtain the NASFAA credential in Verification by the end of their probation period. They are required to participate in training sessions and obtain additional certification and/or credentials that are identified by the District-Wide Director of Financial aid and Scholarships
Preferred Qualifications:
Salary Range:
$37,087 minimum
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
St. Louis Community College is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer and welcomes individuals with diverse backgrounds, experience, and ideas who embrace and value diversity and inclusivity.
STLCC has provided opportunity for all. As the largest higher educational institution in the region, STLCC has served more than 1.2 million students. Over 50% of households in the St. Louis area are represented in our former and current student body. Since 1962, St. Louis Community College has held fast to the fundamental belief that education has the power to lift us up — as individuals, as communities and as a city.Today, STLCC consistently ranks among the top associate degree-awarding institutions in the United States. As we launch students into new and better careers, four-year degrees and richer lives, we strengthen St. Louis one student at a time. The College employs 1,400+ full-time faculty and staff and 2,300+ part-time faculty and staff
