Student Financial Assistance Counselor

Title: Student Financial Assistance Counselor

Division: Strategic Enrollment Management

Department: Student Financial Assistance

FLSA Status: Exempt

Salary Range: Annual Salary

EEO Job Group: 2 E2

Position Summary

The University of Southern Indiana is accepting applications for Student Financial Assistance Counselor.

Responsible for independent student advisement and finalization of annual awards of grants, loans, and scholarships. The position analyzes financial aid applications and other confidential financial information to determine the amount and packaging of financial aid eligibility for an applicant. Provides program support to Financial Aid Assistant, Senior Assistant Director, and/or Associate Directors for federal, state, institutional, and/or USI Foundation aid programs; may participate in high school and campus presentations.

Duties/Responsibilities

Advise and counsel students and their families about costs, financial aid policies, procedures, programs, funding, limitations, and options in a skillful, timely, and professional manner through personal interviews, written correspondence, and social media.

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Participates as a team member in the management of the Federal Professional Judgment Program to ensure federal compliance concerning student/parent requests for special and/or unusual circumstance consideration.

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Assists with coordinating the Federal Verification process to ensure compliance with federal mandates.

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Coordinate activities associated with enforcement of the University Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) policy to include timely notification to students and SAP Committee members.

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Analyze and correct all errors associated with student files to ensure funding is accurate from programs and corresponds with university records.

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Performs and/or assists with the administration of and reconciliation of federal, state, institutional, or USI Foundation financial aid programs by requesting or importing official records from the federal central processing center or state database.

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Analyze and correct awards for student assistance programs in a manner that is consistent with federal, state, institution, and USI Foundation regulations, rules, and policies to prevent violations in the aid programs.

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Assist in the development and implementation of procedures for student financial assistance application processing, verification, and awarding of funds. Recommend policy and procedural changes as needed for student financial assistance programs.

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Maintain a current working knowledge of all student financial assistance program rules, regulations, and policies to provide a high level of customer service.

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Ensure current changes to federal, state, institutional, and USI Foundation rules, regulations, and policies are communicated and implemented in a timely manner to staff regarding assigned areas of responsibility.

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Analytical and problem-solving skills applied to the evaluation of financial aid application review in the context of federal and state regulations.

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Ability to maintain complex technical rules in support of business process, collaborate and work with diverse populations, and manage multiple priorities. Commitment to excellent service.

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• Other duties as assigned.

Required Knowledge and Skills

Bachelor’s degree required.

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Two years of professional office experience required.

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Must possess excellent oral and written communication skills, refined listening and strong interpersonal skills, tact and diplomacy for effective communication with students and parents on sensitive, confidential financial matters.

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Proficiency with computers, internet, Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Access, Outlook, and PowerPoint) software required.

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Technical competency for mastering appropriate software required.

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Demonstrated aptitude for numeric or data analysis, identification of inconsistencies, and initiating viable solutions which conform to federal, state, and University policies and procedures.

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Responsible for continuous education concerning state, federal and university rules and regulations in order to maintain a level of knowledge that is acceptable to convey information to students or parents concerning SFA.

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Must maintain confidentiality without exception. Must be able to relate effectively to all levels of employees and to individuals from a wide range of cultures.

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Capacity to adapt to frequent changes in federal, state, institutional and USI Foundation rules, regulations and policies.

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Strong time management and organizational skills with the ability to set priorities and work independently while exercising initiative and strong problem resolution skills. Strong accuracy, attention to detail, and organization while managing multiple priorities and deadlines.

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• Demonstrated ability to exercise sound judgment in execution of job functions.

Preferred Knowledge and Skills

• Experience in student financial aid and/or higher education administration highly preferred.
• Working knowledge of federal tax rules applicable to student financial aid processing preferred.
• Working knowledge of Ellucian’s Banner software preferred.

Regular Work Hours/Travel Requirements

About USI

The University of Southern Indiana is a public higher education institution located on a beautiful 1,400-acre campus in Evansville, IN. We offer employees exceptional benefits! Benefits for this position include:

• Affordable medical, dental, vision, life and short term and long-term disability insurance plans.
• Retirement plan where the University makes the total contribution equivalent to 11% of annual salary.
• Full tuition fee waiver for employees/75% for spouses and dependent children.
• Vacation and sick time
• Holiday pay
• Free access to Recreation, Fitness & Wellness Center.
• Access to on-campus University Health Center and Dental Hygiene Clinic.

For more information about the benefits that USI offers, please visit www.usi.edu/hr/benefits.

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Search Committee Chair:

If you have questions about the open position, please contact Catherine Nickens, search committee chair, at cnickens@usi.edu.

Best Consideration Date:

For best consideration, please submit materials by June 26, 2025.

Pre-Employment Screening

A background check will be required for employment in this position.

Authorization to Work in the United States

USI will not sponsor an employment-related visa for this position.

Interview Accommodations

Persons with disabilities requiring accommodations in the application and interview process please contact the manager of Employment at mcweinzapf@usi.edu or (812) 464-1840. Contacting the manager of Employment is intended for use in seeking disability-related accommodations only. For general applicant inquiries, contact Human Resources at HumanRes@usi.edu or (812) 464-1815.

EEO Statement

USI is an Equal Opportunity Employer as to all protected groups, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities