Job Title: Financial Aid and Scholarship Counselor

Department: College and Career Readiness Department

Reports To: College Pathways Director

Compensation: $67,200

TRS Classification: Non-classified

Summary:

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Counselor develops and implements resources and

provides innovative and ongoing support across the Epic ecosystem. The Financial Aid and

Scholarship Counselor is expected to collaborate with the College Pathways Director and

Managing Director of College and Career Readiness on strategic planning, program

updates, and offer recommendations based on key performance indicators and trend data.

The Financial Aid and Scholarship Counselor partners with Epic staff to ensure students feel

educated and equipped to pursue available financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Successful candidates should also have the following experiences and characteristics:

• Have an eagerness to learn and a growth mindset
• Hold exceptionally high standards for the quality of work and a reflex to improve at

every turn

• Have well-developed emotional intelligence and moral character
• Possess an ability to build strong relationships, thoughtfully navigate challenging

situations, and get excellent results from others

• Have problem-solving and clear communication skills
• Possess strong leadership acumen
• Be proficient in understanding college and career exploration

Essential Duties and Responsibilities include the following. Other duties may be assigned.

• Educate and support students in the process and application of FAFSA, OK Promise, financial aid, scholarships, etc. through virtual, in-person, and innovative modalities
• Host virtual and in-person FAFSA information session to educate families regarding high school graduation requirements related to FAFSA State Bill 93 (SB 93)
• Retrieve monthly FAFSA data from the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education
• Serve as a liaison between students and external partners, including higher education institutions, Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, Federal Student Aid, etc
• Oversee FAFSA opt-out process for SB 93
• Correspond with the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education to retrieve monthly Oklahoma’s Promise data
• Track college scholarship data
• Educate students on local scholarship opportunities such as Tulsa Achieves and Ticket to Rose
• Collect and organize data for various internal scholarships
• Partner with higher education institutions to create and offer students with unique and innovative opportunities, such as school-specific scholarships, as appropriate
• Complete scholarship counselor recommendations
• Complete National Merit Scholarship counselor recommendations
• Serve as liaison between local education agencies and college’s statewide for scholarship information and disbursement
• Collect data for internal scholarship awards to be recognized at Epic Senior Day
• Co-host the annual Epic Senior Day Scholarship Awards and Signing Day events
• Configure and implement financial aid and scholarship areas in Naviance
• Update and oversee financial aid and scholarship areas in Naviance
• Facilitate communication strategies that highlight and promote financial aid-related events and opportunities
• Attend in-person and virtual counselor conferences
• Collaborate with various Epic Charter Schools’ departments to provide specialized support for students, including Events, Student Services, Family Engagement, Student Engagement Programs, Advanced Courses, and Instruction
• Collaborate with others (e.g. teachers, counselors, administrators, students, parents, other district personnel, community organizations, etc.) for the purpose of implementing and maintaining scholarships and/or programs
• Plan and implement professional development for Epic staff
• Actively participates in district-wide collaboration meetings
• Attends College and Career Readiness Department and other Epic events

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervisory responsibilities

Education and/or Experience

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited university required
• Experience working with high school students or college students required
• Oklahoma School Counselor Certificate - preferred

Qualifications

• Passionate commitment to the mission of school choice
• Excellent written and oral communication skills; demonstrated ability to present effectively and persuasively
• Relationship-building and relationship management skills. Ability to work cooperatively with students, parents, staff and the general public
• Excellent organization and time management skills
• Ability to learn quickly, work independently and to be effective in a fast-paced, dynamic, entrepreneurial environment. Ability to work under pressure; pay attention to detail; meet deadlines; deal with difficult individuals while maintaining composure
• Organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work and handle multiple tasks simultaneously
• Ability to work in a culturally diverse environment
• Attention to detail; Ability to keep and maintain accurate and detailed reports and records
• Must possess excellent conflict resolution and the ability to problem solve in a timely and effective manner
• Ability to maintain professional confidentiality

Language Skills

Ability to read, analyze, and interpret common scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents. Ability to respond to common inquiries or complaints from customers, regulatory agencies, or members of the business community.

Mathematical Skills

Ability to work with mathematical concepts such as probability and statistical inference. Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios, and proportions to practical situations.

Reasoning Ability

Ability to define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions. Ability to interpret an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form and deal with several abstract and concrete variables.

Computer Skills

To perform this job successfully, an individual should have knowledge of Google applications, Microsoft Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.Must have a high aptitude to learn new software as necessary for the business operations of the school.

Certificates, Licenses, Registrations

• Current driver's license and valid car insurance

Other Qualifications

• Must be able to pass a state-mandated background check after a conditional offer of employment is made
• Must have favorable employment references

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 10 pounds, frequently lift and/or move up to 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The person in this position works remotely from their home. Meetings in public places and at Epic offices are also required. The noise level is usually quiet to moderately loud (when students are present.)