What are the responsibilities and job description for the Financial Aid Counselor position at University of South Carolina?
Posting Number
STA00776PO26
Job Family
Student Administrative Services
Job Function
Financial Aid
USC Market Title
Financial Aid Coordinator
Link to USC Market Title
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/titles/133939
Job Level
P1 - Professional
Business Title (Internal Title)
Financial Aid Counselor
Campus
Upstate
Work County
Spartanburg
College/Division
USC Upstate College/Division Level
Department
UPS Financial Aid
State Pay Range
G06
USC Market Range
MRC - $41,073 $50,315 $59,556
Anticipated Hiring Range
$41,073 - $44,815; Salary commensurate with education and experience.
Location of Vacancy
USC Upstate, Spartanburg, SC
Part/Full Time
Full Time
Hours per Week
37.5
Work Schedule
Monday – Friday; 8:30am – 5pm; Some evenings and weekends as needed are required.
Basis
12 months
Job Search Category
Fiscal Accounting
About USC
About University of South Carolina
From the Upstate to the Lowcountry, the University of South Carolina system is transforming the lives of South Carolinians through the impact of our eight institutions and 20 locations throughout the state. More than 50,000 students are enrolled at one of eight institutions, including the research campus in Columbia and comprehensive four-year universities in Aiken, Upstate and Beaufort. In addition, our Palmetto College campuses in Salkehatchie, Union, Lancaster and Sumter enable students to earn associate or bachelor’s degrees through a combination of in-person, online or blended learning. All of our system institutions place strong emphasis on service — helping to build healthier, more educated communities in South Carolina and beyond.
Veterans' Preference Statement
The University of South Carolina is committed to equal opportunity and proudly values the skills and experience military veterans bring to our workforce. Across South Carolina, we are making veterans a priority for employment and recognize their vital contributions to our state and our communities.
Benefits for FTE Positions
The University of South Carolina (USC), through the State of SC and Public Employee Benefit Authority (PEBA), offers employees a valuable benefits package, including health and life insurance, generous paid leave and retirement programs. To learn more about USC benefits, access the "Working at USC" section on the Applicant Portal at https://uscjobs.sc.edu. Research Grant or Time-limited positions may be eligible for all, some, or no benefits, based on the grant or project funding.
Position Description
Advertised Job Summary
Financial Aid Counselor
University of South Carolina Upstate
STA00776PO26
Spartanburg, SC
Responsible for the daily operation of Direct Federal Loans (Direct, PLUS, and Perkins) via the Department of Education (ED) website, the SC Teacher Loan Programs and private loan programs on all lender platforms and monitor via the Electronic Loan Management (ELM) and (COD) Common Origination and Disbursement systems. Performs FA counseling to prospects, parents, students, faculty and staff. Performs file review, required follow up and verification of data as required by the ED. Responsible for the oversight of student processing within NSLDS. Awards SC Teaching Fellows.
University of South Carolina Upstate
STA00776PO26
Spartanburg, SC
Responsible for the daily operation of Direct Federal Loans (Direct, PLUS, and Perkins) via the Department of Education (ED) website, the SC Teacher Loan Programs and private loan programs on all lender platforms and monitor via the Electronic Loan Management (ELM) and (COD) Common Origination and Disbursement systems. Performs FA counseling to prospects, parents, students, faculty and staff. Performs file review, required follow up and verification of data as required by the ED. Responsible for the oversight of student processing within NSLDS. Awards SC Teaching Fellows.
Job Related Minimum Required Education and Experience
Requires a bachelor’s degree in a job related field and 1 or more years of job related experience, which may be substituted by an equivalent combination of job related certification, training, education, and/or experience.
Required Certification, Licensure/Other Credentials
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s degree preferred. Prefer financial aid experience and familiarity with financial aid related software systems and aid modules. Prefer experience with student integrated systems, FA system, and various personal computer software.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
Must be prepared to integrate new processing system and software. Must show ability to manage multiple responsibilities with minimal error. Show strong ability to troubleshoot problems and make sound decisions. Harmonious working relationship with colleagues, all students, and families a must. Ability to process and monitor $35 million in educational loans. Ability to ensure that all midyear students who complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) are correctly coded as FA recipients in accordance with institutional policy. Possess the ability to make sound independent judgments with a highly regulated field. A successful background check is required.
Job Duties
Job Duty
Representing the Financial Aid office at high school and college recruiting events on campus and some travel to events in the Upstate area.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Counsels all students prospective and current as well as parents, faculty and staff.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
15
Job Duty
Monitors loan approvals, rejects, and denials. Responsible for adjustments to loans and other sources of aid. Awards loans both Direct and Private loans and ensures proper integrity of the Financial Aid (FA) system. Responsible for the setup and processing of all loan funds for all lender platforms and monitor via the ELM and COD systems which will ensure the integrity for certification, reallocation, and receipt of funds.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
25
Job Duty
Review and process all loan applications including loan certification.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
25
Job Duty
Responsible for completing aggregate loan calculations, reviewing daily loan reports, and serve as liaison regarding private loan issues.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Job Duty
Review student files for SC Teacher Loan Program. Monitors and awards SC Teacher Loan working with SC Student Loan Corporation to ensure awards are correct; and awards are correctly added to the Financial Aid System.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
10
Job Duty
Responsible for set up of all students within the NSLDS system to ensure the transfer, monitor, and alert system is compliant with the ED
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Job Duty
Other duties as assigned by supervisor.
Essential Function
Yes
Percentage of Time
5
Position Attributes
Employees in Safety-Sensitive or Security-Sensitive positions will be subject to pre-employment and post-employment drug testing in accordance with University policy HR 1.95 Drug and Alcohol Testing.
Safety Sensitive or Security Sensitive
No
Hazardous weather category
Non-Essential
Posting Detail Information
Number of Vacancies
1
Desired Start Date
11/01/2026
Job Open Date
10/14/2026
Job Close Date
Open Until Filled
Yes
Special Instructions to Applicant
The application must be completed including all current and previous work history and education. A resume may be attached, but not substituted for completing work history and education sections of the application.
USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
USC Upstate offers a valuable benefits package including but not limited to:
- Health and Life Insurance
- Retirement Programs
- Paid Tuition Program
- Dependent Scholarships
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Annual Leave
- Sick Leave
- 13 Paid Holidays (including an extended December holiday)
- Paid Parental Leave
- Professional Development Opportunities
Quicklink for Posting
https://uscjobs.sc.edu/postings/214571
EEO Statement
The University of South Carolina does not discriminate in employment opportunities or decisions for qualified persons on the basis of age, ancestry, citizenship status, color, disability, ethnicity, familial status, gender, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military status, national origin, pregnancy, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, or any other protected category under applicable law.
Salary : $41,073 - $59,556