Financial Assistance Counselor

General Job Description

The Financial Assistance Counselor reports directly to the Senior Director of Financial Assistance. The Counselor will be part of a team tasked with administering the college's need-based, merit-based, and veterans student assistance programs. The Financial Assistance Counselor assists in planning, coordinating, and implementing the financial assistance and veterans’ affairs program of the college, and assists students in obtaining information about and applying for financial assistance and veterans’ benefits.

Duties

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE AND VETERANS AFFAIRS:

• Counsel and advise both curriculum and continuing education students concerning financial assistance opportunities, application processes and financial management strategies.
• Maintain applicant files, check financial assistance forms for completion, and review financial assistance files for completion.
• Maintain a thorough knowledge of federal and state regulations.
• Comply with federal, state, local and college goals, objectives, procedures, policies, and laws.
• Create student files and send appropriate correspondence when the student information is received from the U.S. Department of Education.
• Monitor, oversee, and coordinate with external and internal partners new and existing programs to ensure compliance with the college’s mission.
• Promote collaboration, teamwork, and involve all stakeholders in the decision-making process.
• Assists with planning and staffing outreach events on and off campus, as needed.
• Compile statistical data and reports to evaluate the effectiveness/efficiency of programs and to generate program changes or additions.
• Assist in preparing the College for audits and program reviews and respond appropriately.
• Review and implement changes to processes and procedures to improve efficiency and effectiveness.
• Review and recommend changes to student services policies and procedures.
• Make informational presentations on financial assistance policies and procedures.
• Review methods of processing and reporting for improving efficiency.
• Provide timely and accurate clerical functions to support the Office of Financial Assistance.
• Work closely with outside agencies to ensure student forms are completed in a timely manner.
• Assist the Office of Financial Assistance in the Satisfactory Academic Progress evaluation and preparation of student notifications each semester.
• Process VA files and assist VA students to ensure exemplary customer service as well as compliance with State and Federal regulations.
• Assist with the coordination of Veterans Affairs programs and provide updates, as necessary, for policies and procedures.
• Work closely with other Office of Financial Assistance staff to fulfill the duties expected of the office.
• Perform other duties as directed by the Assistant Director of Financial Assistance or Senior Director of Financial Assistance.

Customer Service

• Practice exemplary student customer service skills.
• Practice exemplary colleague customer service skills.

Required and Preferred Qualifications

Required: 

• Associate degree in accounting, business administration, or related field
• One year of experience working in a customer service capacity

Preferred: 

• Bachelor’s degree in accounting, business administration, or related field
• Two years of experience working in a financial assistance office
• Two years of experience working with veterans’ education benefits
• Two years of experience working with document imaging software
• Two years of experience working with the financial assistance modules in the North Carolina Community College’s student information system

College Requirements of all Employees

COLLEGE REQUIREMENTS OF ALL EMPLOYEES:

• A commitment to embrace and promote a campus culture that values trust, integrity, belonging, mutual respect, a strong work ethic, and service to others.
• A commitment to institutional service by proactively seeking opportunities and actively contributing to student engagement, College initiatives, and community partnerships through participation in committees, student organizations, outreach activities, mentoring, and other service opportunities.
• A commitment to the comprehensive community college philosophy and mission which provides academic, career, intellectual, and social development opportunities for all students.  
• Ability and willingness to work collaboratively with all faculty, staff, students, and external stakeholders.  
• Serve on institutional committees as appointed by the President.
• Annually review all Randolph Community College safety rules and policies and be familiar with all emergency safety procedures. Promote good safety habits and be compliant with all applicable safety regulations.
• Perform other duties and responsibilities as needed or assigned.