Counselor, Athletic Financial Aid Compliance
Salary
$35,568.00 - $43,103.00 Annually
Location
Youngstown, Ohio
Job Type
Professional Administrative
Job Number
202600104
Division
Academic Affairs
Department
Financial Aid and Scholarships
Opening Date
04/07/2026
Bargaining Unit Status
Association of Professional Administrative Staff (APAS)
Salary Grade
G3
Full-time Equivalency
1.0
Summary of Position
Manages all aspects of financial aid for student-athletes, including evaluating applications, determining eligibility for aid, and awarding scholarships within NCAA and institutional guidelines. Coordinates scholarship agreements and renewal processes and maintains accurate financial records. Serves as a key liaison between athletics, compliance, financial aid offices, and student-athletes, providing counseling, walk-in hours, workshops, and support for urgent financial aid situations. Oversees scholarship projections, reporting, and strategic planning to support roster management and recruiting goals.
Position Information
Essential Functions and Responsibilities: Counsels student-athletes and parents concerning financial aid, athletic scholarships, financial aid planning, debt management, federal methodology, student problem resolution and federal Title IV refund policy and subsequent financial consequences of doing complete withdrawal from classes.
Serves as a primary liaison between the financial aid office, athletics department, and student-athletes. Assists supervisors, colleagues, and Penguin Service Center staff when required.
Assists student-athletes and/or parents in completing federal financial aid application (FAFSA), completing verification, and adjusting income or other pertinent data on the FAFSA. Manages Pell Grant coordination with athletic aid to maximize student-athlete benefits.
Maintains accurate records of athletic financial aid awards and adjustments. Calculates and awards athletic scholarships within NCAA and Institutional equivalency limits and roster limit restrictions. Processes mid-year financial aid adjustments due to eligibility changes, transfers, or medical hardships. Coordinates single-year and/or multi-year scholarship agreements and renewal processes. Coordinates with admissions office on prospective student-athlete financial aid projections.
Collaborates with outside entities and university constituents on billing, payments, refunds, payment plans, and account reconciliation.
Collaborates with compliance staff to certify aid packages and monitor equivalency limits for sports with scholarship caps and to ensure all financial aid practices comply with NCAA Division I rules, especially Bylaw 15 (Financial Aid).
Stays current on NCAA legislation and institutional policies affecting financial aid and participates in audits and institutional reviews related to athletics aid. Assists in the development and implementation of financial aid policies specific to athletics. Provides training to athletics department staff on financial aid policies and procedures. Assists in development of office policy and procedure analysis as needed. Assists in developing office guidelines for professional judgment, satisfactory academic progress, and loans, if needed.
Analyzes cost-effectiveness of financial aid strategies and recommend improvements.
Generates detailed financial aid utilization reports for sport-by-sport budget analysis and assist in annual budget planning and allocation of scholarship resources.
Utilizes NCAA compliance software for reporting and monitoring purposes.
Evaluates and processes student requests for professional judgment according to established criteria; ensures appropriate documentation is obtained to support professional judgment decisions for audit and regulatory purposes.
Provides financial aid information to students regarding all aspects of financial aid, including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, and special programs; provides estimate of financial aid eligibility when outstanding balances are owed, in writing, to Office of University Bursar and to students in order to permit registration of classes; analyzes students' financial needs to determine eligibility for financial aid.
Conducts outreach activities including off-campus presentations such as high school financial aid nights as well as University programs; represents office as required.
Conducts mandated verifications of Institutional Student Information Records in accordance with US Department of Education guidelines, State guidelines, and University policy. Assesses adequacy of documentation provided by students and resolves conflicting information. Tracks files and follows-up with additional requests or phone calls when necessary.
Other Functions and Responsibilities: Hosts regular student-athlete walk-in hours.
Assists with training new hires.
Performs other duties as assigned and/or required that are within the level of responsibility for this classification at the discretion of the supervisor.
Equipment Operated: Computer and all other standard office equipment.
Work Schedule: Typically, Monday through Friday.
Primary Location: Youngstown
Supervision Exercised: May exercise supervision over student employees.
Reports to: Manager, Scholarships and Special Programs
Qualifications and Competencies
Required Certifications, Training, and/or Licensures: None
Sponsorship and/or Work Authorization Status: This position is not eligible for sponsorship.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Knowledge of: University policies and procedures; office practices and procedures; department/division goals and objectives; department/division policies and procedures; workplace safety practices and procedures; English grammar and spelling; records management; office management; project management; NCAA Division I financial aid regulations (Bylaw 15); Institutional scholarship policies and procedures; Federal financial aid regulations and compliance requirements
Skill in: Use of office equipment; typing, data entry; computer operation; use of computer software and other programs applicable to the assigned department/division*; excellent communication and customer service skills; effective organizational skills with attention to detail.
Ability to: Maintain an even temperament in stressful situations and communicates effectively on an individual and group basis; deal with problems involving several variables within familiar context; define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions; determine material and equipment needs; calculate fractions, decimals, and percentages; compile and prepare reports; use proper research methods to gather data; understand a variety of written and/or verbal communications; prepare accurate documentation; maintain records according to established procedures; travel to and gain access to work site; effectively interact with personnel and public to answer routine questions; train or instruct others; move quickly and effectively from one tasks to another; work independently and in a team environment; develop and maintain effective working relationships.; must be able to maintain even temperament in stressful situations and have ability to communicate on individual and group basis.
(*) Developed after employment.
Minimum Qualifications: At least a bachelor's degree; and at least six months of experience in an office environment.
Preferred Qualifications: Degree in business, student personnel, sports management, or another related field. One or more years of financial aid experience. Knowledge of personal income tax and counseling experience. Knowledge of federal financial aid programs and supporting regulations. Experience in NCAA compliance office. Comprehensive understanding of NCAA Division I financial aid regulations (Bylaw 15). Experience with athletic department budget management.
At Youngstown State University we are committed to a comprehensive employee benefit program that helps our employees live healthy, feel secure, and maintain a work/life balance. YSU offers two options for medical plans, optional dental and vision insurance and life insurance. These plans are reviewed annually to maintain competitiveness while being cost effective. In addition, YSU offers tuition remission, 403(b) and 457 retirement planning options, as well as state pension programs and optional voluntary life insurance benefits.
Medical Mutual of Ohio Medical plans
Dental Benefits
Vision Benefits
Group Life Insurance (University Sponsored and Voluntary)
Group Long Term Disability (University Sponsored and Voluntary)
Flexible Spending Account
Health Savings Account
Tuition remission
Employee Assistance Program
Wellness Initiatives
Sick Leave
Vacation Accrual
Paid Holidays
State Retirement Programs
403b and 457b Voluntary Retirement Options
01
Do you have at least a bachelors degree?
02
Do you have at least six months of experience in an office environment?
03
What is the highest level of education that you have attained?
04
Please describe your related experience, including information describing how you meet the minimum qualifications for this position.
Required Question
Employer Youngstown State University (OH)
Address 1 Tressel Way
Youngstown, Ohio, 44555
Phone 330-941-1508
Website http://www.ysu.edu