Financial Aid Counselor

About Augustana College

Augustana College is a nationally recognized college of the liberal arts and sciences dedicated to investing in engaged learning, maximizing student potential, and strengthening community partnerships - the guiding priorities of our Bold & Boundless Strategic Plan (2024-29). For our 2,500 students from all backgrounds, Augustana provides a transformative experience that integrates rigorous academics, hands-on learning and mentorship to prepare graduates for meaningful careers and lifelong success.

The college's scenic, wooded campus is located in Rock Island, Illinois, part of the Quad-Cities metro area (pop. 470,000) along the Mississippi River, about a 3-hour drive from Chicago. At Augustana, we seek innovative and student-centered professionals who are excited to contribute to our strategic goals of empowering students through engaged learning, leadership development and real-world experiences.

Employees at Augustana enjoy an excellent benefit package including medical, retirement, generous paid time off, tuition benefits for employees and their family members, and much more.

Job Title:Financial Aid Counselor

Status: Non-Exempt Full-time, 12 month schedule

Wage: 735H

Reports To:Assistant Director of Financial Aid

Overview: Using information from a variety of sources including submitted records and personal interviews, evaluates financial needs of students. Awards financial aid according to government and institutional regulations and guidelines. Works collaboratively with others in the office to achieve timely communication with all potential students and manages workflow to meet deadlines in a high volume processing environment

Primary Duties:

• Counsels and advises students about financial aid eligibility, application procedures, aid programs, aid eligibility, packaging policies, costs, billing process, indebtedness. Also provides general information via e-mail, phone, and personal contact.
• Analyzes student files to make an independent determination for financial aid and then reviews, awards, verifies and processes financial aid paperwork.
• Independently conducts analysis on students who have had their FAFSA selected for verification, determines and requests additional documentation as needed. Submits corrections to the Department of Education, evaluates eligibility and changes awards if necessary.
• Answers questions, inquiries or requests from students or parents in person, by phone or in writing regarding financial aid programs and eligibility.
• Assists in the preparation and presentation of information regarding federal financial aid, scholarships, employment and grants for various campus groups, high school students and parents at meetings, group discussions, workshops and recruitment sessions.
• Analyzes various system generated reports such as grades and enrollment status or award status to verify continued compliance and eligibility of students receiving aid under federal and institutional guidelines; notifies students of changes in eligibility of awards and alternatives to amend the situation.

Additional Duties:

• Interfaces with students, employers, donors, and/or staff to resolve issues.
• Assists with other financial aid activities such as outreach, reporting and monitoring.
• Regular activities require ability to quickly change priorities and may include and/or are subject to resolution conflict.
• Other duties as assigned

Skills & Experience:

• 1-3 years of experience in a professional setting with a focus on communication, customer service and/or counseling skills. Prior experience with FAFSA or other financial aid related experience preferred.
• Strong attention to detail with excellent financial acumen.
• Ability to organize and manage multiple projects while working in a high-pressure, fast paced and frequently changing environment.
• Basic understanding or ability to learn government, donor and/or institutional rules, regulations, guidelines, and procedures for awarding of financial aid.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office products including experience working with Word, Excel and PowerPoint, as well as ability to quickly learn the Ellucian Colleague system.
• Patience, high energy, enthusiasm for helping others.
• Ability to maintain a high level of confidentiality.
• Ability to effectively communicate and collaborate with a diverse constituency of parents, students, campus colleagues and visitors.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

Education: Bachelor's degree in a related field.

Additional Information:

Pay and Benefits: This position is budgeted to pay $20.65 - $25.25 per hour, commensurate with experience and qualifications. We offer a competitive benefits package designed to support the needs of employees. Full-time employees are eligible for a comprehensive range of benefits including:

• Medical, dental, vision insurance
• Flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts
• Life insurance, disability insurance, and supplemental insurance programs
• Retirement plan with a generous company contribution
• Excellent paid time off/holiday benefits
• Tuition benefits for employees and their family members
• Access to company facilities (gym, pool, health center, etc.)
• You can learn more about our benefit programs at our Benefits website

Work Environment: This position works in a traditional office environment.

Physical Demands: The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

• Must be able to lift 15 pounds on an occasional basis. Also required is the ability to listen, hear, speak, read, write, climb stairs, bend, stoop, and stand for intermittently long periods of time. Must be able to use a computer to accomplish a variety of job tasks.

Expected hours of work: This position works a 40 hour work week during the academic year as well as the summer. Hours typically are 8am - 4:30pm. During heavy financial aid awarding "season" evening and weekend work is required to meet department goals.

Travel: Little to no travel is expected for this position

EEO Statement: Augustana is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is Augustana College's policy to provide equal opportunity to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, disability and any other category protected by federal, state or local law.

Note: Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Duties, responsibilities and activities are subject to change at any time with or without notice.

Application Instructions:

Interested applicants should submit a cover letter, resume, and names of 3 references. Review of applications will begin immediately. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; this position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.