Financial Aid Counselor

Baton Rouge Community College (BRCC)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Advancing Excellence, Expanding Educational Access, and Empowering Student Success.

The Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for assisting students and families in navigating the financial aid process and accessing the resources needed to finance their education. This position requires a strong understanding of financial aid programs, excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to provide accurate and comprehensive guidance to students from diverse backgrounds.

Key Responsibilities

60%:

• Advise and counsel students and their families regarding the financial aid process, unique circumstances affecting individual applicants, and available options for funding a college education through incoming telephone calls, letters, emails, and in-person interactions.
• Evaluate and review financial aid awards, process required documentation, and respond to student inquiries and requests.
• Exercise independent judgment to make appropriate adjustments to students' financial aid profiles in accordance with federal and state regulations and institutional policies, including the use of professional judgment when applicable.
• Maintain current knowledge of federal and state financial aid regulations as they relate to assigned responsibilities, as well as the institution's goals, objectives, and policies regarding financial aid administration.
• Interpret and revise financial aid packages consisting of private, institutional, state, and federal funding sources.
• Cross-train with other staff members to provide backup support as needed.
• Rotate with other personnel to provide on-demand and walk-in financial aid advising.
• Participate in College Night events and other community outreach activities to present financial aid information and promote awareness of available financial aid programs.

35% Determined by Departmental Needs

5% Other Duties as Assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Education, Computer Science, Social Science or related field.

Experience

• Must possess a strong customer service orientation and excellent organizational, written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work individually as well as part of a team.
• Knowledge and experience in using a large database system.
• Demonstrated ability to process and maintain information that is often ambiguous and highly confidential.
• Must understand and adhere to procedural a confidentiality requirements.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• 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.
• Ensures student and parent awareness 0f the various financial aid sources during counseling sessions by providing information to them and answering their questions regarding financial aid sources.

Preferred Experience

• Previous experience in a financial aid office or post-secondary institution preferred.
• Performing daily FA processes using Banner 9.
• Familiar with federal, state, and Intuitional programs and the requirements for administering each program.

Preferred Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Working knowledge of federal financial aid programs and supporting regulations.
• Working knowledge of Title IV program fund regulations.
• Working knowledge of U.S. Department of Education rules and regulations.

Benefits: As a member of the Louisiana Community and Technical College System, BRCC has an attractive benefits package with a wide variety of benefit options. Benefits offered include retirement, multiple medical insurance options, supplemental insurances (dental, term life, disability, accident, vision, etc.), Tax Saver Flexible Benefits Plan (saves tax dollars on some childcare and medical expenses), holidays (14 per year, typically includes longer break at Christmas), generous annual (vacation) and sick leave benefits and Employee Assistance Program. Specific benefits depend on job category, percent effort, and length of employment.

Why Join BRCC?

Baton Rouge Community College offers a collaborative work environment, a commitment to employee development, and the opportunity to support the mission of student success through strong institutional operations.