Financial Aid Counselor

The Office of Financial Aid at Oglethorpe University, a premier liberal arts institution in Atlanta, GA, is seeking a collaborative, reliable, detail-oriented person to provide excellent customer service as a Financial Aid Counselor. Reporting to the Director of Financial Aid, the Financial Aid Counselor is responsible for guiding students through the process of applying for, securing, and maintaining financial aid from federal, state, private, and institutional resources. The Financial Aid Counselor will serve as a representative of Oglethorpe University and the Office of Financial Aid at both on and off-campus events as needed, and work collaboratively across departments to ensure

Duties and Responsibilities

• Counsel students and families within the boundaries of federal and state financial aid regulations and institutional policies.
• Guide students and families in all aspects of financial aid, including, but not limited to, applying for aid, determining financial need, packaging aid, completing steps to secure different forms of financial aid, borrowing loans, and generally understanding their financial account and financial policies at Oglethorpe.
• Act as a front-line customer service provider to students and families by contacting the Financial Aid Office via phone, email, and in-person campus visits.
• Use various weekly and monthly reports to review student records for accuracy and completeness and revise student financial aid records to ensure aid is properly awarded and administered.
• Represent the Financial Aid Department at various campus events.
• Collaborate with various offices on campus, including but not limited to the Admission, Business, Registrar, Student Success, Campus Life, and Advancement Offices.
• Provide service to students, families, and colleagues in a manner that reflects positively on the Office of Financial Aid, the Department of Enrollment Management, and the University as a whole.
• Stay up to date on changing policies in the federal, state, and higher education landscape. Develop knowledge of and appreciation for Oglethorpe’s strengths and opportunities that will appeal to prospective students and their families.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution required.
• Experience: Experience in higher education, either as a student worker or full or part-time employee, is preferred.
• Skills: Proficiency with Microsoft Excel and Word. Excellent verbal, written, and digital communication and interpersonal skills. Close attention to detail, strong organizational skills, efficient task management, and excellent customer service. Experience with CRM and financial aid platforms preferred.  Fluency in Spanish is also valued.
• Commitment to Institutional Values: Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion and the ability to think and act intentionally about the various ways in which the financial aid process and campus are experienced differently by students from diverse backgrounds. Knowledge of holistic, liberal arts admissions and the ability to effectively capitalize on appropriate opportunities to expand Oglethorpe’s attractiveness as a first-choice institution.
• Ethical Practices: Ability to maintain confidentiality and work with sensitive information in a professional manner. Strong people management and problem-solving skills with a desire to contribute to a collaborative campus community. 

Additional Information

• This is a full-time, 12-month position.
• Infrequent travel or evening/weekend work may be requested.
• Tasks are generally required to be performed in person, though periodic work from home options may be granted at the supervisor’s discretion. Oglethorpe University reserves the right to change remote work status with notice to the employee.
• Must successfully pass a criminal background check.

Oglethorpe University is proud to be an equal opportunity employer committed to inclusive excellence. Oglethorpe prohibits discrimination against all applicants and employees based on race; age; color; religion; national origin or ancestry; sex; sexual orientation; gender; gender identity or gender expression; marital status; pregnancy; childbirth or related medical conditions; disability; genetic information; citizenship status; veteran status; or any other category protected by federal, state, or local law.